Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Dominates Maccabi Haifa in First Half of Toto Cup Match

In a Toto Cup match on July 28, 2026, Maccabi Haifa suffered a harsh first-half defeat against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, trailing 0-3 at halftime. Despite Haifa controlling possession with 59% of the ball, their dominance was ineffective and static, while Kiryat Shmona displayed overwhelming superiority and threat. Kiryat Shmona took eight shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, six of which were on target, exposing Haifa's weak defense. In contrast, Maccabi Haifa managed only two shots, with just one on target. The scoreline could have been even more lopsided given Kiryat Shmona's offensive pressure. This performance was a stark contrast to Haifa's hopes of recovering from a previous derby loss in the Toto Cup.