The midday games in the last three seasons did not really brighten the face for Maccabi Haifa (three draws and a hard-fought victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva), but at the start of the 18th round, they did it in a more relaxed way, with a 1:4 at home today (Saturday) against Kiryat Shmona. She scored four goals in the first round as well. Three goals in five minutes at the end of the first half closed the story for the Greens, who returned to the winning track after the loss to Beitar Jerusalem and narrowed the gap from the top at least temporarily to two points. Now they will hope to see their top rivals, all three of whom have lost this season, lose points.
Barak Becher, who lost only once in his previous 18 league games on the lines against the first team he coached, made no less than five changes to the lineup. Dean David continued to be absent due to injury and this time Xander Sabrina joined the front, with Oleksandr Sirota preferred over Sean Goldberg, Liam Harmesh started in a league game for the first time and was joined in midfield by Eitan Azoulay and Gadi Kinda. Maccabi Haifa got off to a great start, getting into situations in front of Assaf Tzur’s goal and also getting a penalty in the 19th minute, but Dia Saba kicked out. Third penalty in a row that the greens miss and second in a row by Saba himself.
Second pair of the season. Dia Saba | Maor Alxalsi
Despite this, the green pressure continues. There was another moment of panic for the 28,000 spectators after the puzzling exit of Sharif Kif and Roi Zikri’s kick to the crossbar in the 26th minute, but then it was Kenny Seif who squeezed another penalty, this time Dolev Haziza approached the penalty spot and Dyke (36) with the league goal His first since May 2023. The guest did not have time to come to her senses and immediately made a mistake and was punished a second time, when Eid Habashi Ibad and Saba said thank you and scored in the 38th minute. Another three minutes passed and this time Noam Cohen was the one who dreamed, a firecracker grabbed him and Pargan to Saba who completed a quick double and reached 11 league goals.
Those who thought that the trend would continue in the second half, were quickly deceived. Maccabi Haifa was saved with a penalty for their duty that was canceled with the help of the VAR and then simply disappeared. Kiryat Shmona easily reached the box, mainly because Abdulai Sak received a yellow card (fifth, he will miss Maccabi Netanya in the Cup) and did not take any risks, and Kioff saved several times, until he surrendered to Jardel in the 64th minute. The conqueror was also injured during the goal and was replaced, so the visitors didn’t really have the firepower to continue attacking and pressurizing Becher’s team, and perhaps avoid a fourth consecutive loss in all competitions. On the other hand, in one of its few attacks, Maccabi Haifa scored the fourth goal from the feet of Rafalov (85) and can go back to messing with the window and prepare for the cup game.
Again watching from the sidelines. Dean David | Maor Alxalsi
the course of the game
Referee Nael Odeh kicked off the game in Haifa and the 18th round of the Premier League
A corner kick by Maccabi Haifa led to Saba’s volley, Kiryat Shmona’s defense failed twice in a clearance and Ben David almost scored an own goal
A good attack by Maccabi Haifa ended with a strong lift by Sabrina from the right side and a firecracker shot over the crossbar
Feingold entered nicely in the area between three players and passed to the center, Saba left to Kinda who kicked to the center of the goal and squeezed Dipa from Zur
Maccabi Haifa’s pressure continued and this time Azoulai was free in the box to kick, but again Tzur and the rebound kicked a firecracker over the goal
Shaheen tripped Sabrina and saw the first yellow of the game
The game was stopped for a penalty check on the grounds of Ben David pulling Sek’s shirt. After watching the event, Odeh pointed towards the white dot and drew a yellow towards Ben David
Saba missed the penalty! Number 10 of Maccabi Haifa misled Tsur with a flat ball to the left, but missed the frame and this is the second penalty in a row that he misses, when before him Dean David also missed
Haziza lifted a free ball towards Sek who hit Ben David’s shoulder. Maccabi Haifa asked for another penalty, this time the VAR did not signal either
What a miss for Kiryat Shmona. Bella sent Zikri great, Keif came out in a terrible way and the striker passed him, but kicked the crossbar and then Mordechai’s rebound was deflected
Sec received his fifth yellow of the season and will miss the cup game against Maccabi Netanya
Bangura kicked from a distance, Kioff stopped and unleashed a burst, at the end Haziza missed an opportunity to score
Maccabi Haifa again wanted a penalty after touching a hand in the box, but Odeh didn’t blow the whistle
Feingold stopped Zikri for a foul that cost him a yellow card
Another dangerous eruption of Kiryat Shmona. Jardel kept the ball in front of Sek and left Zikri to shoot from 20 meters, but Kief was ready and stopped
Another penalty for Maccabi Haifa! Haziza sent a pass inside the box to the fencer who passed Bangura and was blocked. Who will kick this time? Saba wanted to go to the penalty spot again, but Haziza took the ball himself
0:1 to Maccabi Haifa! Haziza misled Tsur from the penalty spot, kicked in and put an end to the penalty misses on the green. His first league goal since May 2023
Quick 0:2 to Maccabi Haifa! Habashi was pressured and sent a bad pass back towards his goalkeeper, Saba read the pass, intercepted, passed Tsur and rolled in his 10th of the season in the league
0:3 to Maccabi Haifa! Haziza snuck up behind Noam Cohen, grabbed the ball and in front of the goalkeeper Pargan for the seven who completed a quick double
Noam Cohen lifted from the right towards Mordechai the Freeman who kicked excellently out of the air, but Kiof with an instinctive reaction prevented a goal
Sabrina in a beautiful action from the right side passed a ball to the center, Saba opened his legs and received depth from Kinda, but the ball rolled near the crossbar after touching a blue foot
Double substitution in Kiryat Shmona at the start of the second half: Kulikov and Lidor Cohen instead of Havashi Vebla
Penalty for Kiryat Shmona? Jardel passed a cross from the right, Zikri missed and from behind came Martinez who tried to advance. Harmesh skated and seemed to reach the ball first, but Odeh pointed towards the white spot
After a VAR review, screen referee Bar Natan again called for extra time and the penalty was cancelled. The people of Kiryat Shmona were angry and, among other things, coach Barda received a yellow card
Shibli, on loan from Maccabi Haifa, entered Kiryat Shmona instead of Zikri
Haziza and Saba pressed together and intercepted a ball, Azoulai got a distance of 22 meters from the goal and kicked flat into the hands of Tzur
Jardel easily passed between Sek and Azulai, but inside the box he ran into Kief who provided another good save
Double substitution at Maccabi Haifa: Rafalov and Halaili came in instead of Kinda and Haziza
Saba, who was recently saved twice from expulsion due to vigilance, unintentionally ran over a cousin who needed treatment. Card not withdrawn. We will remind you that Saba is also in danger of Yellow Thursday
Kiryat Shmona made it 3:1. Martins entered the box from the right side and passed a good ball towards Jardel, who from seven meters continued inside with the counterattack and also appeared to strain his groin
Jardel could not continue after the goal and Niedem came in his place
Another double substitution at Maccabi Haifa: Jaber and Dahan came in instead of Harmesh and Sabrina
Another careless loss of the ball, this time by Halaili, and Kiryat Shmona almost punished with a long-range kick by Bangura who deflected the header into the corner
Saif’s corner from the left was deflected by Rafalov towards the five-yard box, but Dahan struck wide
Saba picked up a free ball, Sak broke free from the guard and hit the center of the goal, where Tzur waited and headed with his foot. Saif missed the return ball
Maccabi Haifa’s last substitution: Goldberg replaces Seif
1:4 to Maccabi Haifa! Kiryat Shmona lost a ball near the green area and was punished with an outburst. Khalaili was sent down the left and looked for Dahan, Shahin stopped him, but only set up Rafalov, who misled Bangura and kicked in with a light touch from Shahin
Kiryat Shmona brought Benvanishti into the midfield instead of Martins
Rafalov picked up a corner from the left, Sak waited on the other side and hit a good shot near the near post, but Tzur stopped right on the line
The game ended: 1:4 to Maccabi Haifa over Kiryat Shmona, the gap narrowed to two points
