Greens beaten 2-0 by Spartak Moscow in the Channel One Cup friendly tournament at Bloomfield Stadium.
By JEREMY LASTMaccabi Haifa 298.88(photo credit: AP)
Spartak Moscow booked its place in the final of the Channel One Cup friendly tournament on Monday night after beating Maccabi Haifa 2-0 at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv.
Two goals in the first ten minutes ensured the Russian side topped Group A and will face city rivals CSKA Moscow in Thursday's final with the winner receiving a $1 million prize. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who is sponsoring the competition, attended the match.
Goalkeeper Nir Davidovich played for the greens and pulled off a number of impressive saves but it was not enough. Former Betar Jerusalem midfielder Maor Melikson also made an impact with some tricky runs but his teammates were unable to provide the essential final touch.
The result only added to the difficulties the Haifa club has been going through in recent weeks, having been beaten 4-0 at home by Maccabi Herzliya on Saturday and losing at Hakoah Amidar Ramat Gan the previous weekend in the league.
After winning four of the last five Israeli Premier League titles the Haifa fans are beginning to call for the resignation of head coach Roni Levy. This Sunday's game against league leader Betar Jerusalem will prove crucial for Levy's future.
In the final group game of the Channel One Cup Hapoel Tel Aviv will play Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk at Bloomfield on Tuesday evening, although neither have a chance of making the final.
