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Maccabi Tel Aviv: Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa secured a crucial 1-0 away victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the clash between the top two clubs in the Israeli Premier League.

Following the win, second-placed Haifa gained 33 points from 15 matches in the Israeli Premier League, narrowing the gap with leader Tel Aviv to five points, reports Xinhua.

Haifa opened the match strongly and scored in the 12th minute through 37-year-old midfielder Lior Refaelov, who returned to the team this season after 12 years in the Belgian league, reports Xinhua.