Ashdod almost came back from 4: 1, but Stacus shuffled Shlomi Azoulay's top spot plus time and gave his team a place in the last 16 of the Cup

• Stakus celebrates at the end of the game, tonight in Ashdod

  Photo:

  Alan Shaver

The series of domestic failures, tense relationships with the crowd and the feeling that the championship battle is no longer relevant, made the Saturday's Hapoel Cup game against M.S. Ashdod at the 11th Stadium really critical for Barak Bachar's team.

It actually started well. Hanan Maman received credit in the fast duo ramp (15,10), Oren Biton added another (21) and it looked like a night out and a ticket to the eighth state Cup final.

Azulay smashed, tonight in Ashdod // Photo: Alan Shiber

But then Ashdod woke up. Shlomi Azoulay (34) was on his way to a wonderful and tragic game. Niv Zarihan gave the fourth to Bash after a brilliant free-ball exercise, but Bash's defense this season is an introduction to a heart attack for its fans.

Two perfect Azulay cooking became the gateways of Canaan and Dean David, and in addition, Ashdod received Pendel after Amit Biton stumbled in the plaza and even got red. Azulay, Ashdod's game man, approached the ball, kicked hesitantly, allowing Stacus to reach the ball and push it to the beam. Dramatic 3: 4 finish at the WC, which will take this game mainly to the next level card and Stacus's rescue that might raise his confidence back.

High School Players Celebrate, Ashdod Tonight // Photo: Alan Shiber