Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 1-0 to Maccabi Haifa tonight at Kiryat Eliezer as the second round of the Winner League began. With 8.5 years of no away victories against Haifa, the yellow team displayed disappointing football and failed to break through the host's defense. After 80 minutes of a stronger game for the green team, Wiyam Amashe set the final score and sent 1,400 yellow fans back to Tel Aviv in disappointment. On Saturday, Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Maccabi Netanya at Bloomfield, hoping to regain a winning streak.
Maccabi Haifa displayed a slight advantage during the first half, as it tried to kick the ball from outside of the box several times. The hosts threatened the goal six times during the first half, with the best effort appearing eight minutes to the end of the half as Boccoli kicked a flat ball to the post. On the other side of the field, the yellow team had only two dangerous opportunities – one by Gonzalo following a broad ball from Yeini and the other ending with Maccabi's only kick to the goal, following Radi's attempt to swivel within the box. The yellow team failed to make an impression in the first 45 minutes before the break.
The game's tempo declined in the second half and there were no dangerous situations at both goals. Maccabi Tel Aviv lost many balls at center field and did not pressure the host's back players. Maccabi Haifa also downshifted and the two coaches made changes with the hope of impacting the game. 15 minutes to the end, Oscar put Gael Margolis on the field for his debut appearance in the league this season. 10 minutes to the end, a corner ball for Maccabi Haifa passed the entire yellow defense and Amashe pushed it into the net. This is Maccabi's first loss in the opening of the second round and the fourth loss since the season started.
