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Maccabi Tel Aviv crowned Israeli champions

Maccabi Tel Aviv will represent Israel in the Champions League next season after clinching the Ligat Ha'Al title with a 1-0 home victory on Saturday over Maccabi Haifa.

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This is Maccabi 22nd league title and first since 2016, ending a run of three titles by Hapoel Beer Sheva.

Maccabi's US Jewish striker Aaron Schoenfeld scored the winning goal in the 55th minute, when he bundled home a corner with his shoulder. The result gave Maccabi an unassailable 27- point lead at the top of the table, with eight games remaining.

Maccabi's manager Vladimir Ivic said: "We've done excellent work this season and to take the title in March is an incredible experience.

"No compliments are good enough for these players. Four years without the title is a long time for this club, but we can now sleep at night knowing we are the champions."

Having played in Netanya for the past three seasons, Maccabi will return to the rebuilt 29,500-seat Bloomfield Stadium in August. However, as the new stadium, double the size of the former Bloomfield Stadium, will not be ready until the start of the 2019/20 season, Maccabi will have to play the Champions League qualifying rounds in Netanya. 

The club's Canadian billionaire owner Mitch Goldhar, who flew to Israel from Toronto for the Haifa match, said: "This win gives me huge satisfaction.

"It has been the sweetest title of all and I'm so happy for the fans and I can't wait for the Champions League qualifiers.

 

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