Roni's protégés came to the game after last week's disappointing loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv that proceeded the lacking opening of the season. Despite the loss, coach Roni Levy, spoke on the issue and said that the team undergoes a process. The team from the Carmel had to gain a victory against Hapoel Ra'anana in order to inject some calm to the club, the players, and of course the supporters. Speaking of the team's supporters, one must command for the umpteenth time the green crowd that came in droves to this away game (about 5,600 fans), while creating a homely atmosphere which helped the boys in green. Roni Levy, returned the green captain, Yossi Benayoun, to the opening lineup, while in addition also included Shoval Gozlan in the starting lineup. 

The first half   opened with green dominance and with Ra'anana players mostly engaged in defensive maneuvers, while trying to prevent Roni Levy's players from reaching the 16m box. 23 minutes into the game, Shoval Gozlan headed the ball from the box, which past just by Eric Yanko's goal post. Haim Silvas's protégés continued to concentrate their defense and the green players found it difficult to reach the box. 34 minutes into the match, Eliran Atar tried shooting from a distance of 25 meters from the goal line, but Eric Yanko managed to tip this dangerous ball. One minute later, Ra'anana set out on a counterattack with Evans Kangooh founding himself in the box, Ra'anana midfielder sent a slow ball straight into the hands of Vladimir Stojkovi?. 38 minutes into the match Haifa had to make a substitution when its Spanish sweeper, Mark Valiente got injured and could not continue playing, the experienced sweeper, Dekel Keinan, took his place and returned to collaborate with Orel Dgani in the defense. Until half time Haifa did not manage to endanger the goal and after one minute of extra-time the referee, Menashe Mashiach, blown his whistle for halftime and sent both teams to the dressing rooms.

Was close to score during the first half. Photo: Maccabi Haifa Official Site (Joe Hirsch)

The second half   opened similarly with the greens continuing to dominate the midfield yet failing to translate this into scoring situations. 49 minutes into the match, Barak Badash almost scored for the home team, yet the green goalkeeper, Vladimir Stojkovi?, with an incredible save, prevented Ra'anana's striker from scoring, and kept the net clear. 55 minutes into the game, Haifa supporters were sure that they witness the first goal when Ludovic Oberniac sent a wonderful ball to the box, which found Yossi Benayoun free, the green midfielder headed the ball from a close but only hit the goal post. Haifa continued to attack and two minutes later, Hen Ezra, who had just joined the game (in place of Avishay Yadin) sent a great ball that found Eyal Meshumar in the box, the defender advanced a little and kicked a great shot but Janko managed to block it. Later the greens continued to attack in order to find the long-awaited goal and 73 minutes into the game Haifa received a penalty kick after Cham Mamadou touched the ball with his hand in inside the penalty box. The green striker, Eliran Atar went kicking, defeated Janko and ran to celebrate with the green crowd. Some one minute later, Roni Levy made the third substitution and brought in Vladimir Stojkovi? in place of Eyal Meshumar. Deep in extra time the greens went out on a fast attack with Shoval Gozlan passing the ball to Eliran Atar, the green striker entered the box and passed the ball to Ezra Chen, who from a close distance defeated goalkeeper Janko and sent thousands of green fans to celebrate. Now we can officially say that Maccabi Haifa finally records its first win in the league.

Eyal Meshumar reached a good scoring opportunity during the early minutes of the second half. Photo: Joe Hirsch.

Ofir Kriaf, a good game for the midfielder. Photo: Joe Hirsch.

Eliran Attar, the striker score the first goal for the greens.  Photo: Joe Hirsch.