Israeli Women's League Kicks Off With Dominant Wins and Historic Draw
The 2026-27 season of the Israeli Women's Premier League commenced on Thursday evening with four matches, featuring a historic Tel Aviv derby and several decisive victories.
The highly anticipated derby between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi ASA Tel Aviv, the first in over two decades since both clubs were re-established, ended in a goalless draw. Despite Hapoel Tel Aviv, the newly promoted team, showing more offensive threat, neither side could find the net in Bat Yam.
Defending champions Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem began their campaign with an emphatic 5-0 win over Maccabi Holon. Early goals from Ella Ben Tzvi and Carol Cardozo, followed by strikes from Hili Shalom, Smadar Cohen, and Zhaili, secured a dominant performance for the champions.
In other matches, holders of the State Cup, MS Kiryat Gat, secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Hapoel Ra'anana, with Simau Semih scoring a spectacular long-range goal in the 43rd minute. Meanwhile, newly promoted Bnot Netanya suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat against Maccabi K.S. Hadera. Maya Cabrera opened the scoring, followed by a hat-trick from Chilean international Fernanda Araaya, a second goal from Cabrera, and a late chip from Margaret Belmo.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.