Maccabi Haifa welcomed Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC to Sammy Ofer for Matchday 22 of the Israeli Premier League. Fred Rutten’s side entered the match after their 2:2 draw against cross-town rivals, Hapoel Haifa, mid-week in the first leg of the State Cup quarter finals.
The match began with Maccabi Haifa possessing the ball and looking to create chances early on. In the 7th minute, the first opportunity came for the home side. Shlomi Azulay played a long ball to Sallallich in front the Kiryat Shmona goalkeeper, Zuabi, but the midfielder’s shot was into the goalkeepers’ feet. Just three minutes later, great passing between Demari and Rukvavytsya lead to strong shot from Rukavytsya, but Zuabi saved it. The ensuing rebound found the Australian’s head, but the ball could only be directed out for a goal kick. The Greens kept pushing in the first half and trying to create dangerous opportunities to score, but both sides entered the half level, looking to get on the score sheet.
Fred Rutten used his first substitution at the half when he brought on Gal Alberman to replace Kostadinov. In the 54th minute, Sallallich broke past two defenders into the middle, but his shot was over the goal. In the 62nd minute, the Greens made their second change when Awad replaced Demari. One minute later, Azulay crossed a ball in from the right into Roi Kehat, but his header was over the goal. In the 72nd minute, Sallallich beat his defenders down the left flank and crossed a ball into the box. Roi Kehat got to the ball and had a strong shot that hit the back of the net, putting the Greens up 1:0.
In the 79th minute, Didier Brossou was sent off after a hard challenge on Shlomi Azulay, putting the visitors down to 10-players for the remaining minutes of the match. Another aerial threat came in the 84th minute as Roi Kehat got his head on a cross from Mabouka, but Zuabi was able to push the ball out for a corner. Haifa’s last change was made in the 85th minute when Ofir Mizrachi replaced Shlomi Azulay. After just coming onto the pitch, Ofir Mizrachi received a great ball from Sallallich, and then stuck the ball well from outside the box to score and put the Greens up 2:0 in the 88th minute. One minute later, Mizrachi then set up Sallalich, who capitalized on a mistake from Zuabi to make the match 3:0 in the 89th minute. In extra time, Ofir Mizrachi was able to add another goal, and the Greens finished the match 4:0.