Maccabi Haifa downed Beitar Jerusalem 3-1 to capture the Israel Super Cup and open up the domestic season in the Holy Land. The yellow-and-black grabbed a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half but three unanswered second half goals by the host gave the greens the victory.

After a quiet start to the game that pitted the league winners against the State Cup holders, Fred Friday headed home the opening goal just ahead of the break to give Yossi Abuksis’s squad a 1-0 lead. However, Tjaron Chery’s 58th minute free kick found the back of the goal to draw Messay Dego’s side even at 1-1.

The Greens kept controlling the pace of play as they looked for the go ahead goal which they found via Dean David in the 84th minute as he beat an out of place Beitar keeper Miguel Silva while Anan Khalaili polished off the victory deep into second half stoppage time to wrap up the win.

Haifa will now ready for a second round UEFA Champions League tie against Sheriff Tiraspol on Wednesday night in Moldova while Beitar will face PAOK in Conference League second round plat in Greece.

“We knew this game wasn’t going to be simple against a team that would attack us and punish us if we made a mistake,” Haifa bench boss Messay Dego said following the game. “We didn’t have a very good first half but we made some substitutions in the second half and we were much better from then on as Anan Khalaili was very instrumental to win this game.”

“We were fine in the first half but in the second half Maccabi Haifa really controlled the game,” Beitar coach Yossi Abuksis said following the game. “Also we have to remember the fact that Haifa has already played a number of European games and we are still trying to find our stride. We fought and battled which I liked but our decisions were as good as I would have liked.”

Haifa captain Tjaron Chery spoke about the win, “I’m very happy that we won another title. It was very important to win this as we have some very important games coming up and it will help us going forward. I’m happy with the goal I scored as it was able to get us to 1-1 and it allowed us to go on from there to win the game.”