Four days after beating Sektzia Ness Ziona in the league, Maccabi returned to the Petah Tikva for the State Cup Quarter Final return leg against second division side Maccabi Petah Tikva with a 4-0 victory from the first leg.
With the tie all but sealed, Maccabi’s coach Aitor Karanka made eight changes to his starting line-up as he rested several players giving a chance for others to show their form.
Daniel Peretz in goal, Derrick Luckassen at the heart of defence and Ofir Davidzada at left back were the only players who started against Ness Ziona at the weekend with Maor Kandil and Shahar Piven completing Maccabi’s defensive line. Joris van Overeem made a rare start as the midfield anchorman with Eyal Golasa joining the 28-year-old Dutchman in the midfield engine room. Avi Rikan and Dan Biton were also named by Karanka in midfield with Rares Ilie making his debut Maccabi start. Upfront, Karnaka also handed 19-year-old striker Dor Turgeman his first senior start in hope that the youngster will open his account. Karanka welcomed back into the squad Yonatan Cohen, who recovered from the hamstring injury as the 26-year-old forward was named amongst the substitutes on the bench.
With Sheran Yeini, Andre Geraldes and Nir Bitton still injured, Karanka also named Or Yitzhak, Enric Saborit, Dan Glazer, Eran Zahavi, Gabi Kanichowsky, Parfait Guiagon, Matan Hozez and Djordje Jovanovic.
First Half
It took Maccabi less than two minutes to open the score as 75 seconds after the start Dor Turgemman ran behind Petah Tikva’s defence and sent a square ball which Dan Biton side footed home from point blank range. Six minutes later Turgeman almost opened his account as the 19-year old striker dribbled past the advancing Dani Amos but with the ball rolling towards the net, a Petah Tikva defender came out of nowhere to clear and prevent Maccabi from doubling the score.
Ofir Davidzada limped off with a hamstring injury forcing Karanka to make his first change in the 40th minute as Matan Hozez came on to deputise at left back.
Biton tested Amos on 44 with a left foot dipping shot from the edge of the box which was caught by Petah Tikva’s keeper on his line.
Second Half
Karanka made a second change after the break as Dan Glazer replaced Derrick Luckassen at the restart.
Rares Ilie tried cutting in from the left and curling a right foot shot on 59 but once again Amos equalled the shot. Two minutes after the hour mark, Karanka made a double change as Yonatan Cohen and Eran Zahavi were introduced for Eyal Golasa and Biton.
In the 84th minute Cohen blasted a long range free kick which beat Amos but rattled the crossbar. Three minutes later Petah Tikva were back on level terms as substitute Shalev Daniel rose high to head a free kick past Daniel Peretz.
Maccabi scored a late winner inside injury time as Turgeman was rewarded for his efforts on the night with his senior debut goal. Zahavi said the ball to Hozez whose square ball across the face of goal was slotted home by Turgeman who celebrated his first senior ninety minutes with an assist and a goal.
