BEER SHEVA, Israel (Interstat) — In a Ligat ha’Al season opener that defied pregame projections, Hap Be’er Sheva and Hapoel Haifa played to a scoreless draw Saturday afternoon at Turner Stadium.

The match, which kicked off the 2025-26 Israeli Premier League campaign, saw both defenses stand firm in a physical contest that produced seven yellow cards but no goals. The result left each team with a draw in their league record to begin the season.

The stalemate was a surprise given the pregame analytics. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 2-1 victory for the home side, while its ELO rating system gave Hapoel Haifa a 57 percent probability of securing an away win. Neither forecast came to pass as attacking moves were consistently stifled by organized defensive units and a series of interventions from key players.

The defensive tone was set early. Be’er Sheva’s Miguel Vitor, a commanding presence in central defense, was instrumental in breaking up Haifa’s attempts to build momentum, though his contribution was marred by a yellow card in the 85th minute. His counterpart, Hapoel Haifa’s Or Blorian, anchored his team’s back line with a similarly crucial performance before also seeing a late yellow in stoppage time.

Midfield battles dictated the flow of the tense affair. Hapoel Haifa’s Nonoca, booked in the 14th minute, and Guy Mizrahi, who received a caution on the hour mark, worked to control the center of the pitch. For the hosts, Eliel Peretz and Zahi Ahmed provided industry and distribution, though both joined the growing list of cautioned players, with Peretz booked in the 72nd minute and Ahmed in the second minute of added time.

The introduction of substitutes failed to unlock the deadlock. Pierre Cornud, brought on for Haifa, made a noticeable impact but was quickly shown a yellow card in the 70th minute, underscoring the match’s combative nature.

Despite the lack of goals, the match was not without its moments of intent. Both sides created half-chances, but final passes were lacking and shots from distance failed to trouble the goalkeepers significantly. The defensive discipline on display, reflected in the stat lines highlighting key defensive and midfield actions, ultimately proved the defining feature of the evening.

As the match entered its final stages, the frequency of fouls increased, leading to a disjointed finish. The flurry of late cautions for Vitor, Blorian and Ahmed disrupted any remaining rhythm, ensuring the points would be shared.

The draw provides a single point for each side as they begin their Ligat ha’Al campaigns. Both Hap Be’er Sheva and Hapoel Haifa will look to find a more potent attacking edge in their upcoming fixtures while hoping to maintain the defensive resilience shown in this opening-night stalemate.