JERUSALEM, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Premier League runners-up Maccabi Haifa beat NS Mura of Slovenia 2-0 at home on Thursday in the first leg of the first round of the Europa League qualification.

Maccabi Haifa faced difficulties in the first half against the visiting fourth-placer in Slovenia's first league.

The 16,000 spectators at the Sammy Ofer stadium in the northern city of Haifa saw their team opened the scoring in the 64th minute by the midfielder Yuval Ashkenazi.

After four minutes, substitute striker Mohammed Awaed doubled the lead and sealed the win.

The second leg will be played on July 18 at Fazanerija Stadium in city of Murska Sobota in northeast Slovenia.