JERUSALEM, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Maccabi Haifa and Young Boys Bern drew 0-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs on Wednesday evening.

The Israeli champions, inspired by 30,000 fans at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa, dominated the opening minutes, but the first dangerous chance was on the other side of the pitch, with Meschack Elia missing the target from close range in the 22nd minute.

The Swiss champions started the second half strongly, with two chances missed by Fabian Rieder, then, in the 69th minute, Haifa's defender Daniel Sundgren blocked substitute Joel Monteiro to prevent a goal.

The second-leg match will take place on Tuesday in Bern, and the winner on aggregate will qualify for the group stage of the Champions League.