Maccabi Haifa entered Matchday 6 while coming off a scoreless draw with Maccabi Tel Aviv last week. The Greens hosted F.C. Ashdod at Sammy Offer Stadium and looked to take all three points in this Israeli Premier League matchup to keep their undefeated home record this season.
The match began at a good pace, with the first opportunity falling to the Greens in the 10th minute, when Aberman’s pass found Ofir Mizrahi who had a shot from outside the box. Only minutes later there was a break from Sallallich that lead to a shot, but Ashdod’s goalkeeper, Krishtul, was again equal to the challenge. In the later parts of the half, the Greens began to win more free kicks in dangerous areas and kept pressuring the visitors. With multiple free kicks from just outside the area, the Greens weren’t able to convert.
But, seconds before the end of the half, Sallallich crossed a searching ball into the box from the right flank which found Mizrachi, who then put the ball in the back of the net from the air and put his side ahead 1:0 going into the break.
The second half began with Haifa continuing their momentum from just before the break, looking like a side that wanted to take all three points. In the 56th minute, Gili Vermouth replaced the goal scorer, Ofir Mizrahi as Manager Guy Luzon’s first substitution. Then, seven minutes later, Luzon used his second change to bring on Caio in place of Raz Meir. Caio made an immediate impact and only three minutes later hit a ball that found Klaus in the box, but after turning, his shot went out for a corner.
In the 76th minute, the last change was made when Kostadinov came on for Roei Kehat. Caio had a strong effort in the closing minutes, but Krishtul was in position for the save. Many opportunities were created in the second half, but none were converted by the Greens. The match ended 1:0 and Maccabi Haifa was able to keep their perfect record at home and second consecutive clean sheet.