Pre Game
Aiming to advance through where his predecessor didn’t, Maccabi’s coach Giorgios Donis returned with the team to Suduva’s Hikvision arena a year after the Europa League elimination.
With a place in the draw of the Champions League 3rd qualifying stage at stake, Donis made two changes from the side which beat FC Riga last week as Eduardo Guerrero and Eylon Almog dropped to the substitute bench.
Enric Saborit was named alongside skipper Sheran Yeini and Eitan Tibi as the three central defenders with Ofir Davidzada stepping into the team on the left side of defense and Maor Kandil completing the defensive line on the opposite flank. Dan Glazer and Avi Rikan were handed the defensive duties at the heart of midfield with Dor Peretz receiving a more attacking role. Dan Biton who made his Maccabi debut against Bnei Sachnin in the Toto Cup, made his European debut for Maccabi with Nick Blackman spearheading the attack.
First Half
In the 29th minute however Maccabi took the lead as Biton broke into the area from the left, cut the ball back for Rikan whose initial shot was blocked. But the persistence of the 31-year old saw him pounce on the rebound and guide it into the far corner.
As part of the goal celebrations, Rikan ran to the bench and held aloft the shirt of Eyal Golasa who remained in Israel and didn’t travel following the death of his father earlier this week.
Second Half
The halftime whistle of Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic sending both teams to the dressing as Maccabi new the job is only half complete. Suduva made a change at the restart as Yefgen Yefremov was replaced by Sndro Svrljuga who was given a chance to level the score within a minute. But his direct free kick which seemed to have troubled Daniel Tenenbaum from 25 meters, narrowly missed the target.
Suduva made their second change on 62 as Eligijus Jankauskas came in for Mihret Topcagic. But a minute later it was Maccabi’s number nine Mick Blackman who got on the end of a Davidzada cross to head the ball towards goal and force a save from Kardum. Dan Biton tore Suduva’s defense before Peretz miscued his shot on 65 and Rikan also shot wide as Maccabi threatened to double their lead.
In the 73rd minute Maccabi were rewarded for the efforts as Eitan Tibi sent a perfect through ball to Blackman who raced clear on goal and sent a clever chip past the advancing keeper. Matan Baltaxa replaced the tired Enric Saborit on 75 as Donis made his first change and Eylon Almog came in for Rikan for the final 10 minutes.
Ben Bitton replaced Dan Biton on 88 as Donis made his final change in a bid to bolster the defense and protect the lead.
Davidzada completed the score in injury time as Peretz left him with only the keeper to beat before the left back found the bottom far corner with an accurate powerful drive.
