Maccabi Haifa on Thursday blitzed Auxerre, scoring twice in five minutes, beating the French team 3-1 at home in UEFA Cup's group stage.

Haifa took an early lead in the first half through a goal by Gustavo Boccoli, but the French team soon equalized in the 29th minute. During the first half the Israelis struggled not to concede a goal, relying heavily on an excellent performance by goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch.

In the 56 and 58 minutes, Haifa struck twice taking a 3-1 lead. Boccoli scored the first after intercepting a stray ball and teammate Roberto Colautti added the second after beating Auxerre's goalkeeper to a ball and sinking it in from a tight angle.

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Auxerre was left with only ten players on the pitch in the second half after Stephane Grichting was sent off for a blatant foul on Haifa's Boccoli.