Maccabi Haifa Held to Scoreless Draw by Ironi Kiryat Shmona

Ironi Kiryat Shmona and Maccabi Haifa played to a 0-0 draw in the first half of their Israeli Premier League match on Monday at the Netanya Stadium. Kiryat Shmona, looking to rebound from a 4-2 loss to Hapoel Jerusalem in their previous outing, faced a Maccabi Haifa side aiming for their seventh consecutive league win against them. Maccabi Haifa had not lost to Kiryat Shmona in their last 16 league encounters, with their last defeat coming in February 2022.

For Maccabi Haifa, Yair Mordechai started for the first time in the league against his former club, joined by Bruninho and Pedro Brazão making their debuts. Andrej Novaković led the attack, with Tsunami and Nigel Boakye in central defense. Kiryat Shmona was without the suspended Mor Simantov and the injured Evjatar Shlomo. Romanian striker Alexandru Pop, signed as a replacement for Adrian Ionita, was included in the squad for the first time, while young forward Niv Gabay, on loan from Maccabi Haifa, started up front and had an early chance, hitting the side netting.

The match, refereed by Aviv Klein, saw an early opportunity for Niv Gabay in the 3rd minute, who beat Boakye but shot into the side netting, though an offside flag was raised. The first half concluded without any goals, leaving the score tied at 0-0.