Maccabi Tel Aviv exploited the international break to hold a 70-minute-long practice match against Maccabi Petah Tikva at Kiryat Shalom that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Israel national team players Dor Peretz, Gabi Kanichowsky, Raz Shlomo, Idan Nachmias, Stav Lemkin and Elad Madmon were absent as they are in the squad that faces France (10.10) and Italy (14/10). Tyrese Asante is with the Dutch U21 team that plays Mexico U23 for a friendly (10.10) and Sweden U21 for a European qualifier (14.10).
With Roy Revivo and Ofir Davidzada still recovering from their injuries, Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, named Idan Weinberg who was an unused substitute against Maccabi Netanya on Sunday at left-back. Weinberg lined-up alongside Nemanja Stojic, Nir Bitton and Avishay Cohen in Maccabi’s defense in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Ido Shahar who recovered from his knee injury joined Joris van Overeem in Maccabi’s engine room with Yonas Malede completing the midfield trio. Wesley Patati and Henry Addo were assigned to both wings with Eran Zahavi leading the attack.
Petah Tikva took an early lead as Idan Vered’s strike on 21 beat Mishpati from the edge of the area. Malede was denied by the crossbar with Tomer Litvinov blocking his second attempt.
After the break, Lazetic made his first change as Issouf Sissokho replaced Stovic for the restart. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Hisham Layous and Osher Davida replaced Malede and Addo. Three minutes later, Sahahar was tripped by an opponent inside Petah Tikva’s penalty area as referee Gal Levy awarded a penalty which was successfully converted by Zahavi.
In the 67th minute Lazetic introduced Yoav Honyo and Yehonatan Aviv allowing the young duo who have been training with the squad recently a few minutes of first team football.
Maccabi: Roi Mishpati, Avishay Cohen, Nemanja Stojic (Issouf Sissokho 36), Nir Bitton, Idan Weinberg, Joris van Overeem, Ido Shahar (Yoav Honyo 67), Yonas Malede (Osher Davida 51), Wesley Patati (Yehonatan Aviv 67), Henry Addo (Hisham Layous 51), Eran Zahavi.
