Third division club destroy Maccabi Haifa's cup hopes

JERUSALEM, May 1 (Reuters) Favourites Maccabi Haifa were dumped out of the Israeli State Cup quarter-finals by third division side Hapoel Ramat Gan who beat them 1-0 today to damage their chances of playing European soccer next season.

Haifa, who have played in Europe almost every season since Israel became a UEFA member in 1992, lie fifth in the league and winning the cup seemed to be their best chance of qualifying for Europe. The top three in the league earn European places.

Despite dominating for most of the match, Haifa failed to convert several chances and appeared to be hindered by the poor pitch conditions at Ramat Gan's small Crater Ground stadium.

Haifa, Israel's most successful outfit in European club soccer, were undone by an extra-time winner scored by Kobi Hassan in the 114th minute.

Haifa reached the last 16 of this season's UEFA Cup and were the first Israeli side to play in the group stages of the Champions League in 2002.

REUTERS SY BST0045