Maccabi Haifa Returns to Top of League After 972 Days
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Maccabi Haifa has temporarily reclaimed the top spot in the Israeli Premier League after a 2-1 win, ending a 972-day absence from the summit. Coach Barak Bakhar achieved his first victory over rival coach Ziv Ariyeh. Despite the achievement, Maccabi Haifa faces a tougher remaining schedule compared to second-placed Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Haifa returned to the top of the Israeli Premier League after 972 days.
- The team secured the temporary lead with a 2-1 victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva.
- Coach Barak Bakhar defeated Ziv Ariyeh for the first time in four matches.
- Maccabi Haifa faces a significantly more difficult schedule for the remainder of the first round.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv could reclaim the top spot if they win their upcoming match against Beitar Jerusalem.
Maccabi Haifa has temporarily returned to the top of the Israeli Premier League after a 2-1 victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva. This marks their first time at the summit in at least 972 days, with their last stint at the top ending on August 23, 2025. The team had previously led the league after all teams had played during the 21st round of the 2023/24 season under coach Msai Dego. Their return to the top occurred after Maccabi Tel Aviv's 5-1 win, which had previously displaced them.
Coach Barak Bakhar secured his first win against Ziv Ariyeh after four previous encounters. Bakhar's last victory over Ariyeh was in the 2022/23 season finale, his final game in his first tenure with the club. However, Maccabi Haifa faces a significantly more challenging schedule until the end of the first round of the season.
Maccabi Haifa's remaining games include home matches against Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Netanya, and Beitar Jerusalem, and away games against Hapoel Tel Aviv, Sakhnin, and Hapoel Haifa. In contrast, Maccabi Tel Aviv's remaining schedule features fewer high-profile matchups, with their only remaining game against a top team being against Beitar Jerusalem. Maccabi Tel Aviv will play Beitar Jerusalem on Tuesday.
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