Maccabi Haifa entered Matchday 9 of the Israeli Premier League after winning on penalties in midweek to put themselves into the semi finals of the Toto Cup. They traveled to Kiryat Shmona to take on Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona who were just two points and two places behind the Greens in the table.
 
The first ten minutes of the opening half saw both sides playing conservatively. The first dangerous chance of the match came to the Greens as they broke through the home side’s defense but the goalkeeper, Nitzan, made the save. Minutes later, Kiryat Shmona had a chance to go ahead in the match as Ryan found himself with space inside the box, but his shot was deflected out for a corner. In the 15^th minute, Sallallich was able to put a strong cross on the ground to Roei Kehat, but he was unable to find the target on his shot, as it went wide of the goal. In the 42^nd minute, Raz Meir sent a free kick into the box, and Roei Kehat got his head to the ball, forcing Nitzan into a good save.  The two sides entered the break scoreless.
 
The Greens started the second half with pressure and good possession. At beginning of the half, the visitors looked more likely to break the deadlock. In the 59^th minute, Neta Lavi took the ball, beat two players and had a strong shot, forcing Nitzan into a save. Minutes later, Sallallich sent a ball into the box and Klaus tried to get his head to it but couldn’t get it in the back of the net.
 
Luzon made his first change in the 66^th minute, with Caio coming onto the pitch for Kostadinov. Only minutes later, Kiryat Shmona had a good break and their substitute, Ahmed Abed, was able to score, giving the home side the advantage 1:0.  In the 74^th minute, Omer Demari came on the pitch for Gili Vermouth as Luzon made his second change. Then, in the 82^nd minute, Sallallich was taken off for Mohamad Awad, putting three strikers in the side to finish the match as they looked for the equalizer. The Greens were unable to find their equalizer and dropped three points to Kiryat Shmona.