Haifa hit Glentoran for six

Maccabi Haifa FC have all but advanced to the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after compiling a 6-0 home victory over Northern Irish champions Glentoran FC.

Late flourish
The first Israeli side to reach the group stage in 2002/03, Haifa opened their account through Lior Rafaelov after 36 minutes, with Yaniv Katan doubling their advantage seven minutes after the break. Vladimer Dvalishvili then added a third quickly afterwards and spurred a late flourish with his second nine minutes from time as Shlomi Arbeitman and Mohamad Ghadir also struck in the closing stages.

Few fears
The visitors held out for over half an hour but their chances of progress in the competition took their first blow when Rafaelov exploited a defensive mix-up and slotted a low shot beyond goalkeeper Elliott Morris. Katan followed suit with an effort from the edge of the area that sailed into the top corner and new Georgian signing Dvalishvili celebrated his full debut by putting the game beyond Glentoran with a header on 57 minutes. He was not finished there either, and with Haifa taking their tally up to six goals before the final whistle, next Wednesday's return encounter in Belfast should hold few fears.