The Green Locomotive welcomes the Yellow Submarine at Sammy Ofer Stadium.
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the broadcast of the match between Maccabi Haifa Football Club and Villarreal Club de Fútbol. This is the fourth day of Group F in the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League group stage.
Follow Maccabi Haifa vs. Villarreal from the 2023-2024 Europa League campaign.
The Middle East faces a tense moment amid a broader conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. As a result, this afternoon’s game will be played behind closed doors in Larnaca, Cyprus, a port city more than 200 kilometers from Haifa.
Both teams have one match in hand in Group F due to the third day postponement caused by security concerns in Israel.
A month after Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel and the Israeli response intensified, daily life and the sporting schedule felt the impact. Football has been off the calendar for a stretch, affecting the Green Locomotive who have had little rhythm since facing Panathinaikos in the Europa League at the start of October.
The Israeli side has been preparing for its return to European competition with a mini training camp in Cyprus after establishing a new base on the nearby island last Sunday. The Greens have conducted just four training sessions during the pause between competitions.
The video summary of Maccabi Haifa vs. Villarreal from the Europa League 2023-2024: goals, saves, key moments, and controversies
38′ Keouf emerges as a hero with two crucial saves from penalties. The Israeli side keeps the goal secure, denying a late equalizer as the Villarreal attack presses. A siren for emergencies sounds in response to the pressure.
38′ An extraordinary save by Shareef Keouf blocks Manu Trigueros from the spot. A remarkable moment that preserves Haifa’s lead and momentum.
36′ Sorloth receives another chance after a missed penalty. The Ukrainian referee orders a retake after a VAR check confirms a Maccabi Haifa player intrusion into the box.
35′ Alexander Sorloth takes responsibility for the attempt, lining up to restore parity for Villarreal.
33′ Villarreal is awarded a penalty as Anan Khalaili fouls Ben Brereton. Mykola Balakin points to the spot after a defensive slip.
30′ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL Aboulaye Seck gives Haifa the lead. Lior Refaelov clips a set piece to the far post where Seck beats the defender and directs a header past Pepe Reina.
The action begins at the AEK Arena with Refaelov starting the sequence for Georgios Karapatakis.
The referee is Mykola Balakin, assisted by Dmytro Zaporozhenko and Oleksandr Berkut, with VAR support from Pol van Boekel, all of them operating under international credentials since 2016.
The Villarreal XI coached by José Rojo “Pacheta” lines up in a 4-4-2 formation with Pepe Reina in goal, Adrià Altimira, Aissa Mandi, Matteo Gabbia, and Alberto Moreno in defense, Ilias Akhomach, Manu Trigueros, Santi Comesaña, Ramón Terrats in midfield, and Ben Brereton with Alexander Sorloth in attack.
MACCABI HAIFA XI | Messay Dego presents a 4-3-3 lineup: Shareef Keouf in goal, Daniel Sundgren, Abdoulaye Seck, Lorenco Simic, Pierre Cornud in defense, Ali Muhammad, Show, Lior Refaelov in midfield, Anan Khalaili, Frantzdy Pierrot, and Ilay Hagag up front.
The minute by minute video coverage of Maccabi Haifa vs. Villarreal
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