Maccabi Haifa hosted Hapoel Be’er Sheva F.C. in their first home match of the season on Matchday 2 of the Israeli Premier League. Manager Guy Luzon spoke about their first home match and said: “Every match in the league is significant, we want to do our best to win, it doesn’t matter the opponent".
Guy Luzon’s side came into the match tonight after a 2:0 defeat at Bnei Yehuda to begin the season while the visitors were coming off a 1:1 draw against Maccabi Netanya.
Three minutes into the match, Dekel Keinan was shown a yellow card and forced to play the remaining 87 minutes conservatively. In the 15th minute, Rukavytsya had Haifa’s first opportunity with a shot from outside the box that just missed the post. Ten minutes later, the Greens had their second look when Kostadinov had the ball inside the box but the ball went just wide of Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s goalkeeper, Haimtov’s, post.
In the 26th minute, the Greens broke through the visitor’s defense and Rukvytsya took a cross from Mabouka and found the far corner of the net, putting Haifa up 1:0. Bee’er Sheva striker, Nwakeme, kept threatening Glazer’s goal, but he could not find the equalizer before the break and the Greens ended the first half 1:0.
The second half began with a change from Guy Luzon as Neta Lavi came on for Kostadinov. Then just minutes into the half, Sallallich put the home side up 2:0 in the 48th minute. Rukvytsya set up the goal as he drew Haimtov out of position leaving a wide-open net for Sallallich. One minute later, Loai Taha was shown a red card as he brought Rukavytsya down in the box, and the official awarded a penalty. On the ensuing kick, Rukvystya’s attempt was saved and the rebound was put over the goal.
Ofir Mizrachi was close to getting his first of the match with a shot from outside the box, but Haimtov made a difficult save. Just afterwards, Neta Lavi tried his luck from distance, but Haimtov saved the attempt. In the 64th minute, Omer Demari came on the pitch in place of Sollellich. In the 65th minute, Hapoel Be’er Sheva pulled back one goal after Dan Einbinder scored. In the 73rd minute, Guy Luzon mad his third change and brought on Roei Kehat for Ofir Mizrachi.
After an onslaught of attacking from visitors, Demari ensured the win with their third goal of the match deep into extra time. The Greens were able to secure their first victory of the season and knock off the reigning champions of the Israeli Premier League at Sammy Ofer 3:1.
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