Roni Levy's protégés wanted to continue the momentum of the game against Hapoel Beer Sheva, which indeed ended in a draw, but the players gave the fans a reason to be proud of having presented a tactical and determined game and a lot of fighting spirit. Coach Roni Levy has prepared his players during the last week and asked them to keep the same spirit in the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv. 29,544 enthusiastic supporters supported the team from the first minute and created an electrifying atmosphere one cannot remain indifferent to. On the other hand, Slabsih Iokanobitz's players came to the game after last week's loss to Hapoel Ra'anana and could not afford another loss.

The first half   took place mostly in center field. During the first minutes the teams tried to reach scoring opportunities but the defenses were properly set to prevent any access to the goal area. The first real scoring opportunity appeared 19 minutes into the game, when the greens set out on a fast attack led by Itay Shechter, who passed the ball to Alon Turgeman, the green striker raced to the box and found the Ophir Kriaf, who chipped the but did not find the Raikobitz's net. A minute later, Haifa tried again with a cross pass by San Menachem that found Ludvic Aborniac's head, who jumped well for a header, yet the ball went just over the crossbar. Later on, the game went back to be played mainly in midfield, while Maccabi Tel Aviv as well tried to reach scoring opportunities, and towards the end of the first half Tal Ben Haim received the ball inside the box and kicked it over Stojkovic's cross bar. After one-minute in overtime Elli Chachmon blown the whistle to end the first half and sent both teams' players to the dressing rooms.  

Itay Shechter led the greens' offense. Photo: Maccabi Haifa Official Site (Reuven Cohen)

The second half   opened with an attack of Maccabi Tel Aviv, when Eran Zahavi received the ball by the box's line and shot a ball that forced Stoika to stretch his limbs and fend off the ball to the corner line. Iokanobitz's protégés continued to press and two minutes later, Gili Vermouth struck the ball to Stojkovic's goal post. The green pulled themselves together and 50 minutes into the game set out again on an excellent fast attack led by Ofir Kriaf, the midfielder passed the ball to Eliran Atar, who halted inside the box and sent the ball to Alon Turgeman, who kicked it straightly to Raikobitz's hands. Later the game slowed down a bit. 66 minutes into the match Roni Levy made his first substitute, bringing in Nikola Drin?i? in place of Avihai Yadin. Later, the green captain also joined the game in place of Alon Turgeman. 81 minutes into the game, Maccabi Tel Aviv made the scoreboard with a free ball that reached the head of Eden Ben Bassat, who only now was brought in, and the striker subdues Stojkovic from a close range. In extra time, Dor Peretz scored the second goal for the away team, thus setting the final score of the match. 

Ofir Kriaf tried to drive the green offense. Photo: Reuven Cohen. 

Eliran Atar during the game. Photo: Reuven Cohen.