ASHDOD, Israel (Interstat) — Matan Hozez scored in the 43rd minute to lift Hapoel Jerusalem to a 1-0 victory over Ashdod on Wednesday in Ligat ha’Al play at Yud-Alef Stadium. Hozez, a substitute, netted the only goal, with assists from Ibrahim Diakité, Ori Azo, Shalev Harush and Nadim Vrasana. The match remained scoreless until Hozez’s strike.

The win improved Hapoel Jerusalem’s league record to 7-10-8, while Ashdod dropped to 4-11-8. Across all competitions, Hapoel Jerusalem is 11-18-11, and Ashdod is 5-22-12. Hapoel Jerusalem has won two straight league matches, following a 1-0 win at Bnei Sakhnin on May 10. Ashdod has lost two in a row and has been held scoreless in both defeats.

Yellow cards were shown to Diakité in the 9th minute, Azo in the 13th, Vrasana in the 33rd and Harush in the 68th.

Hapoel Jerusalem avenged a 2-1 loss Aug. 23, 2025, and won its second consecutive head-to-head matchup after a 2-0 victory Dec. 13, 2025. Hapoel Jerusalem next hosts Ironi Tiberias on May 18, and Ashdod visits Ironi Kir Shmona on the same date.