25th minute: Hapoel Haifa - Ironi Kiryat Shmona 0:0

Toto Cup, 5th round: Both teams are still in the feeling-out stage of the match and are struggling to reach the danger zones. Who will come out on top and advance to the semi-finals?

Doron Ben Dor | 20:30

Aleksandar Sola clears the ball (Omri Stein)

Toto Cup - 5th round

Stadium: Sammy Ofer

Saturday, 08/08/2026, 20:30

Hapoel Haifa - Ironi Kiryat Shmona 0:0

Referee: David Fuxman

The fifth round of the Toto Cup provides us with an intriguing battle for the top of the northern group and a spot in the semi-finals, as Hapoel Haifa hosts Ironi Kiryat Shmona at Sammy Ofer Stadium. The competition is usually considered a pre-season preparation, but both teams know that a win will bring them within 180 minutes of the first title of the season.

Haim Silvas' squad started the season on the right foot with a convincing victory in the derby over Maccabi Haifa (2:3), followed by wins over Ironi Tiberias (1:3) and Bnei Sakhnin (1:2). The last time the team from the Carmel was in the semi-finals of the competition was in 2021, when they lost on penalties to Hapoel Be'er Sheva after 0:0 at the end of regulation time.

On the other hand, besides their three victories, the northerners have not yet conceded a goal this season, after thrashing Maccabi Haifa (0:3) in their first match, followed by narrow wins over Ironi Tiberias (0:1) and Bnei Sakhnin (0:1). The last time the team from Kiryat Shmona was in the semi-finals of the competition was in 2017, when they lost 2:0 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Out of their last six meetings, Ironi Kiryat Shmona has come out on top in four, while Hapoel Haifa has won only once, and another game ended in a draw. Their last encounter was in the 30th round of last season, when Kiryat Shmona won 0:2 with goals from Dario Zubaric (own goal) and Mousa Ali.

First half

15th minute: The start of the match was at a low pace at Sammy Ofer. Both teams made many inaccurate passes during the feeling-out stage and struggled to reach the danger zones.