League Play-Off

Haifa Arena
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Ishai Gidash got the match started through his kick off. After a rather tough play, Haifa's Livne James got a free kick in the 2nd minute. When Ahuzza's Ishai Gidash in the 7th minute got a chance for a shot 7th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Haifa's goalie prevented a goal. A collision led to Haifa getting a freekick after 8 minutes play. Azaliah Brus hit a great ball. Tal Kleinstein might have been able to make a better finish in the 11th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Antoni Shelah. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Tal Kleinstein ran back to his position shaking his head. After 13 played minutes Haifa got a freekick which was hit by Jeriel Rifkind. In the 21st minute, Tal Kleinstein ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Antoni Shelah was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-0. Kain Kislev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 26th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. After a rather tough play, Haifa's Jedd Guggenheim got a free kick in the 27th minute. Melrod Amar was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 28th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. In the 31st minute, Carmel Rosenshpiel got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Tal Kleinstein received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 33rd minute. Antoni Shelah tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 36 minutes, Aviam Fish mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Haifa and the Ahuzza players grew even worse after the yellow card. Aviam Fish kicked well hit freekick during the 37th minute of the match. Tal Kleinstein sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Carmel Rosenshpiel was the one to do the kick off. If Tal Kleinstein had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 55th minute, Hermon Dotan hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Tal Kleinstein sent away a hard shot on goal in the 59th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After some fancy dribbling in the 61st minute, Carmel Rosenshpiel managed to get in a good position for a shot. Haifa's supporters rose to their feet, but Carmel Rosenshpiel was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Antoni Shelah breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Kain Kislev received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Shevuel Shachar tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Kain Kislev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Tal Kleinstein sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 72 minutes, Carmel Rosenshpiel managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Haifa's supporters crossed their fingers, but Carmel Rosenshpiel was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Tal Kleinstein during the 74th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Hermon Dotan kicked well hit freekick during the 77th minute of the match. In the 78th minute of the match Jeriel Rifkind shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Antoni Shelah showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. 83 minutes into the game, Jedd Guggenheim was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Haifa's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Ahuzza the free kick. In the 88thth minute of the game Tal Kleinstein who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ahuzza's Antoni Shelah was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. Tal Kleinstein fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Antoni Shelah having to interfere. The supporters of Haifa booed when Ahuzza was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 94 match minutes in a wonderful position. Asher Sharon didn't get a good kick on the ball. Antoni Shelah made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tal Kleinstein in the 95th minute of play. There was no doubt that Haifa were the better team. Haifa's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.