“Matches of the Season” against Maccabi Haifa have always produced thrilling encounters, and just before yet another much-anticipated clash at Bloomfield, we look back at previous clashes that have had a crucial bearing on the title outcome.
Season 2002-03, Round 25: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2, Maccabi Haifa 0
It was one of the most dramatic and closely-contested league battles as the yellow of Maccabi fought it out against the green of Haifa and the red of Hapoel Tel Aviv. With eight rounds to go, Maccabi faced Haifa, who came to a packed Ramat Gan stadium as league leaders. Maccabi were in third place, but the outcome of that encounter spurred them forward to the title.
Season 1995-96, Round 26: Maccabi Haifa 1, Maccabi Tel Aviv 3
This was one of Maccabi’s most memorable matches against Haifa, who were in their prime in the mid-1990s. The greens had won the title in 1993-94 and were looking to regain the crown after Maccabi deposed them next season. Maccabi went into the match at Kiryat Eliezer with a three-point lead in the standings knowing that a loss could cost them the title as Haifa, who had a superior goal difference, would go top.
The match was tempestuous and thrilling but Maccabi held their nerve and won 3-1 to open a six-point gap and at such a late stage, the title was theirs for the taking and they topped it off by winning the double.
Season 2019-20, Round 17: Maccabi Haifa 3, Maccabi Tel Aviv 4
Memories are still fresh from this match, the last time the two clubs met, and it will no doubt linger long in the memory with Maccabi fans will tell future generations about the crazy night at Sammy Ofer Stadium in February when Yonatan Cohen emerged as the hero after a rollercoaster of a match. You have surely watched the highlights many times, but here is another chance to whet the appetite ahead of another exciting evening tonight.
