Soccer-Beitar Jerusalem beat champions Haifa to win cup

TEL AVIV May 26 (Reuters) - Beitar Jerusalem won the Israeli State Cup for the second successive season on Tuesday by beating newly-crowned league champions Maccabi Haifa 2-1.

Haifa, who were unconvincing throughout their run to the title, were no better in the final, the showcase event of the Israeli domestic season.

Chilean defender Christian Alvarez headed Beitar into the lead from Idan Tal's cross in the 19th minute and Aviram Barukhyan made it 2-0 seven minutes before halftime when he pounced on a ball that Haifa keeper Nir Davidovich failed to gather from a powerful free kick.

Biram Kayal scored a consolation penalty for Haifa in the 89th minute.

Beitar's future is in the balace after Russian-born billionaire Arkady Gaydamak, who took them over in 2004, decided to withdraw his funding from next season.

Beitar have so far been unable to find a replacement sponsor have also failed to gain approval from UEFA to compete in the qualifying stages of next season's Europa League.

(Editing by Justin Palmer

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