Tonight, the last classic of the season was held at Sami Ofer, the home stadium of the Greens, who came with the goal of fighting for the club's honor and third place, after two tough losses to Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel B'Sh. On the other hand, Hapoel B'Sh was hoping for a Haifa victory as part of the championship battle against the Greens' opponent tonight - Maccabi Tel Aviv, who was not willing to accept any other result than a victory.
Maccabi Haifa has recently gone through tremendous upheavals and difficulties – in the coaching staff, in the management team, in the medical condition of Gadi Kinda, and this week also saw the retirement of Lior Refaalov, the team captain, who retired earlier than expected. As a result, a particularly moving farewell ceremony was held for him before the opening whistle.
Game opening:
- Minute 3: Free kick for the Greens, a nice move led to a ball being put into the box, but Dolev Haziza was caught offside.
- Minute 5: A great deep ball from Sirota reached Guy Melamed, who tried to find Dia Saba, but the pass was too strong.
- Minute 7: Haziza lifted a precise ball into the yellow box, but missed Saba's head by centimeters.
- Minute 9: Tel Aviv's first threat – a shot into the box that was kicked out.
- Minute 13: Ali Muhammad grabbed a ball and raced towards the goal, passing it to Dia Saba who kicked it into the goalkeeper's body.
- Minute 15: Maccabi Tel Aviv penetrated the box, but an inaccurate pass prevented a dangerous situation.
- Minute 18: A kick by the Yellows from outside the box went just short of the post.
- Minute 22: A ball-stealing move by the Yellows led to a breakthrough, but Sirota cleared it to the corner.
Getting on the scoreboard
- Minute 23: After moments for Haifa, Wesley Petachi kicked a sharp and precise kick from outside the box that defeated Kiyof – 1:0 Maccabi Tel Aviv.
- Minute 35: After a corner kick, Roy Elimelech kicked from outside the box, the ball went over the crossbar and out.
- Minute 38: A corner from the Yellows came up near the goal line and was hit wide.
- Minute 43: The ball was lifted into Kiyof's box, a yellow player remained free but was unable to take control and kick the ball into the goal.
Second half:
- Minute 49: A shot was thrown into the box, Lior Refaalov struck – but the goalkeeper blocked it.
- Minute 52: Osher Davide received a ball on the right wing and doubled the score – 2:0 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
- Minute 72: A ball into the Yellows' box was hit towards the goal but was cleared.
- Minute 74: A Maccabi Tel Aviv free kick from the left wing was lifted into the box, Kiyof leaped and shot wide.
- Minute 76: A mistake in Haifa's defense, a yellow player was left alone against Kiyof - who saved for a corner.
- Minute 80: Long ball from the Yellows, Sek managed to clear it but in the process committed a foul – a free kick in favor of the Yellows and a red card for Sek.
- Minute 87: A breakaway attempt by the Greens – Dean David passed to Eitan Azulai, who kicked it into the goalkeeper's hands.
- Minute 89: Roy Revivo passed several players inside the box and passed to Ido Shahar who scored the third – 3:0 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
- Minute 93: Another goal by the Yellows was disallowed due to offside.
Maccabi Haifa's third consecutive loss against significant rivals, one round to go until the end of the season. A result that leaves the Haifa crowd with a bitter taste in a season of ups and downs – but no one expected such an ending. In the next round, Maccabi Haifa will host Maccabi Netanya, and will try to end the season with a victory, just before it begins to build itself for next season.
Disperse the adult group, teach
A game episode is right for the youth team.
And march them as a mature group.
It's a shame about the huge investment.
To the sponsor.