Previews:
Maccabi arrived at the Sammy Ofer stadium for the ONE ZERO League MD33 top of the table clash against Maccabi Haifa with 73 points – five points more than the hosts.
Maccabi’s Head Coach, Robbie Keane, whose only victory over Haifa this season was in the Toto Cup Final, knows that any result but a defeat would be a big step towards securing a second title and the most important one of the campaign. Following Monday’s 1-1 draw away to Bnei Sakhnin, Keane, was forced to try guide Maccabi to victory without his influential winger, Felicio Milson, after the Angolan was serving a one-match touchline ban after being sent off at Doha. In the absence of Milson, Keane made several changes to his side as Matan Baltaxa stepped into the side and lined up alongside Raz Shlomo and Enric Saborit as the three centra defenders.
Roy Revivo who set up Maccabi’s goal in Sakhnin and Ofir Davidzada were the two wing-backs on the right left respectively to complete Maccabi’s defensive line. In midfield, Keane stuck with his midfield trio as Eden Karzev, Dor Peretz and Gabi Kanichowsky all kept their places. Dan Biton, whose last start was in the State Cup match against Maccabi Petah Tikva early last month, returned to the side for his 42nd appearance of the season. Eran Zahavi whose last goal was against Haifa when both teams last met at Bloomfield, led the line in chase of his 36th goal in all competitions.
On the bench Keane named Daniel Tenenbaum, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Joris van Overeem, Younas Malede, Eyal Golasa, Derrick Luckassen, Ido Shahar and Osher Davida.
First Half
Maccabe began the match on the back foot as Haifa pinned Robbie Keane’s side in their own half during the opening stages. While Haifa missed several chances, Maccabi’s first shot on goal came in the 14th minute as Roy Revivo fired a shot which was collected by Shareef Keouf. Haifa’s tall Haitian striker, Fratzy Pierrot, sent a header wide of Roi Mishpati’s goal while Lorenco Simic headed a corner over.
In the 23rd minute Dor Peretz was booked by referee Roi Reinshreiber for a foul on Haifa’s Mahmoud Ja’aber, a fact which would sideline him from Saturday’s match against Haooel Beersheva. A minute later, Abdolaye Seck tripped Eran Zahavi inside the area before Reinshreiber awarded a penalty. Zahavi stepped up, sent Keouf the wrong way to give Maccabi a 1-0 lead with his 17th league goal and 36th in all competitions this season.
Five minutes after the half hour mark Maccabi came close to the score from a counter attack which began with Dan Biton and saw him release Ofir Davidzada down the left. But despite a perfect square ball across the face of goal, Zahavi, who suffered from a dislocated collar bone when fouled for the penalty, was inches away from reaching that cross before Haifa’s defense managed to clear the danger.
In the 42nd minute Haifa were forced to make their first change as Daniel Snudgren limped off and was replaced by Ilay Feingold. The fourth official signaled four minutes of added but Maccabi’s defense managed to deal with everything that Haifa threw at them before Reinshreiber’s halftime whistle sent both teams to regroup in the dressing room.
Second Half
Less than thirty seconds after the restart Roy Revivo was cautioned for a foul on Pierrot. Haifa took the free kick early as Lior Rafaelov charged forward and curled the ball into the box. Din David sent a backheel flick that beat Mishpati at the near post. But Haifa’s celebrations were short-lived as VAR intervened and disallowed the goal for offside.
Two minutes later Revivo charged into the box and was clearly brought down by Simic with no response from the referee. Once again VAR was called into action, sent the referee to the screen and a penalty was awarded. Zahavi stepped up once again, but this time Keouf dived to his left and saved the spot kick to deny Zahavi and Maccabi their second.
In the 65th minute Rafaelov blasted a shot over the crossbar before Keane reacted with a double substitution as Biton and Zahavi bowed out and were replaced by Joris van Overeem and Dor Turgeman. Keane’s counterpart made two changes himself as Gadi Kinda and Ilay Hagag came on for Simic and Rafaelov a minute later.
Keane made his third change in the 70th minute as Ofir Davidzada limped off with what seems like a tight hamstring and was replaced by Idan Nachmias. Revivo returned to his original role at left back while Nachmias slotted in on the right. In the 72nd minute Turgeman charged forward for a counter attack and was stopped by Kinda who was consequently booked.
Enric Saborit went down with a hamstring injury and limped off in the 80th minute as Keane introduced Derrick Luckassen as his fourth and final change. In the 89th minute, seconds before the fourth official signaled 7 minutes of added time, Kinda was left unmarked and rattled Mishpati’s post with a powerful header. Haifa tried desperately to snatch an equalizer but Maccabi showed grit and determination, defended their lead and celebrated a massive victory at the final whistle.
