Guy Luzon’s team took on cross-town rival Hapoel Haifa in Matchday 12 of the Israeli Premier League. The Greens were coming off a loss to Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the semi finals of the Toto Cup last week. Maccabi Haifa were looking to use the Haifa derby to find their winning form.
 
The derby began inside an electric atmosphere as the two sides tried to take advantage of the energy from their supporters. The first chance of the match fell to Maccabi Haifa in second minute after Sallallich won a free kick 25 meters out from goal. The ensuing free kick didn’t threaten Kadoch’s goal, but the rebound was crossed in for a header on target from Sallallich. In the 8^th minute, Sallallich had a pair of opportunities to score, but could not find the target, winning a corner kick. In the 12^th minute, Hapoel Haifa broke forward with Barsky sending in a cross that found the head of Ginsari. He put it over Omri Glazer’s head to put Hapoel up 1:0 in the Haifa derby.
 
In the 23^rd minute, Maccabi held sustained pressure on Hapoel that ended in a great cross to Caio. Unfortunately, the Brazilian’s header was just wide of the goal. Two minutes later, Sallallich came in from the right flank and had a shot from the top of box, but it was straight to Kadoch. Gili Vermouth tried his luck from about twenty meters out in the 35^th minute, but Kadosh was well positioned to make the save. Although Maccabi Haifa dominated possession and pressured Hapoel, they entered the break down 1:0.
 
The second half began more conservatively with play mostly staying in the middle third of the pitch. In the 53^rd minute, Gili Vermouth won a free kick on the top of Hapoel’s box. Before the kick was taken, Gili Vermouth was replaced by Buzaglo and then Caio was replaced by Rukavytsya. After the changes, Buzaglo’s free kick was saved by Kadoch. In the 63^rd minute, Maccabi Haifa nearly capitalized on an error from the Hapoel defense, but Buzaglo’s shot was put out for a corner. In the 70^th minute, Rukvytsya had a goal called back for offside, but after seeing the reply, the call was incorrect. In the 86^th minute, Klaus came on the pitch for Ben Harush, giving the Greens another attacker. Unfortunately, Maccabi could not find the equalizer, losing in the Haifa derby 1:0.