Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv made disappointing starts to their Europa League campaigns, with neither team managing a goal between them.

A 70th-minute strike from Jóhann Gudmundsson earned AZ Alkmaar maximum points in the Group L opener in Haifa.

Tel Aviv spurned the chance to win in stoppage-time when Barak Itzhaki’s penalty was kept out by Urko Pardo in the goalless draw against Apoel in Israel.

Haifa travel to FC Shakhter Karagandy on October 3, while Tel Aviv face a tough match against Bordeaux.