Hapoel Raanana Roei U19 Dominate Hapoel Haifa U19 in 3-0 Victory

Hapoel Raanana Roei U19 powered to an emphatic 3-0 home victory over Hapoel Haifa U19 on Wednesday night in the Israel Youth League. The match, played on May 13, 2026, at the Raanana Municipal Stadium, saw the hosts produce a clinical performance that left the visitors with no answers.

First-Half Control Sets the Tone

From the opening whistle, Hapoel Raanana Roei imposed themselves on the game. Their high pressing game disrupted Hapoel Haifa’s buildup, forcing early turnovers in dangerous areas. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when midfielder Idan Cohen latched onto a loose ball inside the box and fired a low shot past the Haifa goalkeeper. The goal energized the home side, who continued to dominate possession and create chances. Just before halftime, a swift counter-attack saw winger Yonatan Levi double the lead with a precise finish from the edge of the area, making it 2-0 at the break.

Second-Half Clinical Finish

Hapoel Haifa U19 tried to rally after the interval, pushing more players forward in search of a lifeline. However, this left gaps in their defense. Hapoel Raanana Roei exploited this in the 61st minute when striker Noam Ben David collected a through ball, shrugged off a defender, and slotted home to make it 3-0. From there, the visitors’ resistance faded, and the home side comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.

Key Tactical Elements

• High Press: Hapoel Raanana Roei’s aggressive pressing forced Hapoel Haifa into repeated errors, particularly in the first half.
• Quick Transitions: The hosts capitalized on turnovers with swift counter-attacks, especially for the second goal.
• Defensive Solidity: The home backline, marshaled by captain Ori Gal, kept a clean sheet despite occasional Haifa pressure.

Standout Performers

Idan Cohen was a constant threat in midfield, not only scoring the opener but also dictating the tempo. Yonatan Levi’s pace and direct running troubled the Haifa defense all night. The clean sheet was also a testament to the goalkeeper Itamar Shapira, who made a couple of solid saves when called upon.

Impact on the Youth League Standings

The victory moves Hapoel Raanana Roei U19 up the Israel Youth League table, strengthening their position in the top half. For Hapoel Haifa U19, the defeat is a setback in their bid to climb away from the relegation zone. With only a handful of matches left in the season, every point carries extra weight at this stage of the campaign.

Both sides will now look ahead to their upcoming fixtures, with Hapoel Raanana Roei seeking to build on this momentum and Hapoel Haifa needing to regroup quickly.