Preview
After a month long break due to the World Cup in Qatar, the ONE Zero League returned to action as Maccabi faced newly promoted side Maccabi Bnei Reineh at Nof Hagallil’s Green stadium. Reineh changed a coach since both sides met on the first day of the season when Maccabi won 5-0 at Bloomfield as Sharon Mimmer replaced Adham Hadiya who has since joined last week’s State Cup opponents – Hapoel Umm al-Fahm. For the return to league action Vladimir Ivic made several changes to the side which beat Umm al Fahm 3-2. Daniel Peretz, who has the best defensive record in the league having conceded only 6 goals in 13 matches, started in goal. Shahar Piven, Derrick Luckassen and Enric Saborit lined-up as the three central defenders right in front of Peretz. Maor Kandil on the right flank and Yonatan Cohen in a new role on the opposite left flank were the two wing-backs expected to supply width to Ivic’s formation. Dor Peretz and Avi Rikan were the two players assigned to Maccabi’s midfield engine room with Oscar Gloukh in a slightly more attacking role of the midfield trio. Eran Zahavi led the line wearing the captain’s armband as the veteran talisman partnered Djordje Jovanovic upfront.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Ivic named Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky, Parfait Guiagon, Shearn Yeini, Eyal Golasa, Ofir Davidzada, Nir Bitton and Matan Hozez who all waited for their chance to make an impact.
With the match being held at Nof Hagallil only minutes away from Nazareth where almost the entire city is decorated with lights for Christmas due to be celebrated in five days – Maccabi Bnei Reineh marked Chanuka with a candle lighting ceremony prior to kickoff.
First Half
Backed by more than 2000 fans, Maccabi began the match with an attack from the flanks as Maor Kandil’s cross from the right was cleared by Bnei Reineh’s central defender Sambinha before Eran Zahavi could head the ball. Amit Znati had the first shot on target with an effort from outside the area, which was easily collected by Daniel Peretz in the fourth minute. Three minutes later however Zahavi broke the deadlock and put Maccabi in-front. Avi Rikan won a tackle near the halfway line and released Dor Peretz who charged forward towards the area before sending a square ball for Zahavi to fire home from close range.
Maccabi came close to double their lead but Oscar Gloukh first, and then Kandil, were both judged to have been offside. Vladimir Ivic’s side continued to dominate the play and in the 22nd minute Gloukh charged through the middle and released Zahavi whose shot come cross rolled across the face of goal and wide.
A Reineh corner in the 42nd minute resulted with a Maccabi counter attack at the opposite end as Zahavi slid the ball to Cohen whose powerful shot was saved by Arik Yanko.
The halftime whistle of referee Ohad Asulin sent both teams into the dressing with Maccabi’s narrow lead still in-tact.
Second Half
Cohen’s shot on goal in the closing stages of the first half was his final contribution on the night as Ivic replaced him with Matan Hozez for the restart. Ivic’s counterpart, Mimmer, made a double change with Yaniv Brick and Znati made way for Richard Boateng and Ahmed Abed. Hozez could have made an immediate impact three minutes after his introduction as his cut back to Djordje Jovanovic only for the Serbian forward to hook his shot from the middle of the area over the crossbar. Gloukh had an effort blocked by a Reineh defender on 51 before Zahavi blasted a shot over two minutes later.
In the 56th minute, Yanko kept his side in the game as the Reineh keeper was at full stretch to push Dor Peretz’s close range header over the bar following a pinpoint cross by Gloukh.
Kandil was booked by referee Ohad Asulin in the 67th minute, while a minute later Ivic made his second change as Gloukh was replaced by Gabi Kanichowsky. Derrick Luckassen also saw yellow on 69, but two minutes later Daniel Peretz showed why he conceded the least number of goals in the league as Maccabi’s custodian pulled a stunning save to deny Boateng’s powerful close range header.
Maccabi doubled their lead in the 76th minute as Enric Saborit’s left foot shot seemed to have taken a deflection off a Reineh defender to catch Yanko off guard and go in at the near post. Ivic made a double change as Kandil and Peretz bowed out and were replaced by Sheran Yeini and Joris van Overeem in the 80th minute.
Parfait Guiagon was introduced by Ivic for the closing stages as the diminutive Ivorian came on for Rikan who was given a standing ovation by the Maccabi travelling fans.
The full time whistle confirmed Maccabi’s victory on the night to move ahead of Be’ersheva on goal difference with Ivic’s side hosting Hapoel Hadera at Bloomfield on Saturday.
