JERUSALEM (Interstat) — In a frenetic State Cup Women’s match that defied pregame projections, MH Maccabi Tel Aviv outlasted rival MH Maccabi Haifa 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon at Teddi Malcha Stadium.

The match, organized by the State Cup Women in Israel, delivered a dramatic conclusion in second-half stoppage time to decide the tightly contested fixture. The final score surpassed the pregame simulation from Interstat, which had projected a 2-0 victory for Tel Aviv. The same service gave Tel Aviv a 61.90 percent probability to win.

The home side, MH Maccabi Tel Aviv, seized control early with two rapid-fire goals. Dor Peretz opened the scoring in the 14th minute, striking first to give Tel Aviv the lead. The advantage was quickly doubled just three minutes later when Ethane Azoulay found the net in the 17th minute, stunning the visiting supporters and seemingly setting the stage for a comfortable victory.

MH Maccabi Haifa, however, refused to capitulate. The visitors regrouped and halved the deficit before the hour mark. In the 58th minute, Tyrese Asante scored to make it 2-1, reigniting the contest and shifting momentum.

The pressure eventually told as Haifa found an equalizer in the 76th minute. Roy Revivo scored to level the match at 2-2, setting up a tense final quarter-hour as both teams pursued a winner.

With the match appearing destined for extra time, Tel Aviv delivered a decisive blow deep into added time. In the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, Ayi Kangni-Soukpe scored the game-winning goal, securing a 3-2 victory for the home side and triggering celebrations among the Tel Aviv players and supporters.

The result gives MH Maccabi Tel Aviv a successful start to its campaign in this competition, moving its season record to 1 win and 0 losses. The win also stands as its first victory across all competitions this season. For MH Maccabi Haifa, the narrow defeat marks an 0-1 start in both the State Cup Women’s tournament and across all competitions.

The match was played in Jerusalem, a neutral venue for the cup fixture, with Tel Aviv designated as the home team. The five-goal thriller provided an opening afternoon of drama in the domestic cup competition.