Israel's Maccabi Haifa hold Feyenoord in UEFA Conference League

JERUSALEM - Israeli champion Maccabi Haifa drew 0-0 at home against the Dutch side Feyenoord Rotterdam in the first round of Group E in the UEFA Conference League on Tuesday evening.

The match, played at Sammy Ofer Stadium in the northern city of Haifa in front of 16,364 fans, has been moved up by two days following a request from the Israeli club as Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, will be marked on Thursday.

Feyenoord almost scored in the 20th minute, but Haifa goalkeeper Josh Cohen made a great save from a shot by Bryan Linssen.

After two minutes, Maccabi's Surinamese-Dutch star Tjarron Chery responded with a long-range shot, hitting the crossbar.

The Dutch side dominated most of the second half, but it was not enough for scoring. Haifa took control in the final minutes but missed several chances.

In the second round of Group E, the Israeli team will face Union Berlin in the German capital, while Feyenoord will host Slavia Prague - with both games to be played on September 30.