Maccabi Haifa Reclaims Top Spot in Ligat Ha'al After Victory
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Maccabi Haifa temporarily ascended to the top of the Ligat Ha'al after defeating Maccabi Petah Tikva 2-1. The team last held the league lead on August 23, 2025, and has now returned to first place after 972 days. Coach Barak Bakhar achieved his first win against coach Ziv Ariyeh. Haifa faces a challenging schedule ahead, while Maccabi Tel Aviv also has several remaining matches.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Haifa temporarily leads the Ligat Ha'al after a 2-1 win over Maccabi Petah Tikva.
- The Greens returned to the top spot after 972 days, last leading on August 23, 2025.
- Coach Barak Bakhar secured his first victory against coach Ziv Ariyeh in their recent encounter.
- Maccabi Haifa faces a significantly more difficult schedule for the remainder of the first round.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv will play Beitar Jerusalem next, with potential to affect the league standings.
Maccabi Haifa has returned to the top of the Ligat Ha'al standings, at least temporarily, following their 2-1 victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva on Saturday. The Greens will remain in first place if Maccabi Tel Aviv drops points in their upcoming match against Beitar Jerusalem.
This marks the first time Maccabi Haifa has led the league since August 23, 2025, after their opening day win last season. The previous instance where Haifa led the league after all teams had played was in the 21st round of the 2023/24 season, during Massai Dego's tenure. After losing the top spot following a 5-1 win by Maccabi Tel Aviv, Haifa has now returned to first place after 972 days.
In a notable coaching matchup, Barak Bakhar secured his first win against Ziv Ariyeh after four previous encounters. Bakhar's last victory over Ariyeh was a 5-0 result at the end of the 2022/23 season, which was Bakhar's final game in his first stint with the team.
Despite reclaiming the lead, Maccabi Haifa faces a significantly tougher schedule for the remainder of the first round of matches. Their remaining games include tough opponents such as Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Netanya, Sakhnin, Beitar Jerusalem, and Hapoel Haifa.
Maccabi Tel Aviv's remaining schedule includes matches against Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Ramat Gan, Maccabi Petah Tikva, Hapoel Petah Tikva, Kiryat Shmona, and Tiberias.
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