A goal from Eliran Atar in the 53rd Minute was all Maccabi Tel Aviv needed for its second league victory in two games
Maccabi Netanya hosted Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Ramat Gan Stadium, in a game that sealed the second day of the Premier league. After a first half that did not soar to great levels, came an improved second half that began with a quick goal by Eliran Atar. Maccabi Tel Aviv's players held on to the slight advantage until the end of the game, gaining another three points in their second league game of the season.
Watch the gallery from the game
The game started with positive signs for Maccabi Tel Aviv with several fast offensives and a curve ball by Atar in Minute 5 nearly vanquished Cennamo in Netanya's goal. The first minutes were followed by a great deterioration in game quality, with the hosts trying to imperil Eniema's goal with the help of Ali Khatib and Yossi Shivhon. The most significant moment of the first half was at Minute 38 with a dangerous offensive by Maccabi Tel Aviv. Yoav Ziv sent an accurate cross to Dabour's head and the ball was then stopped by an instinctive lunge by Cannemo.
The game improved after the break, mainly from Maccabi Tel Aviv's side, with Eliran Atar becoming more active. First, the forward tested Cannemo's skill in Minute 51 who apprehended the ball, but just two minutes later, even Maccabi Netanya's Italian goalkeeper could not save the ball. Atar received a pass from Dabour, took his aim and sent a sharp kick into the corner of the goal, taking Maccabi Tel Aviv into the lead. On the other side, Ahmed Saba nearly tied the game with a punt kick toward Aniema who lunged and shoved the ball away. Ten minutes to the end, Eliran Atar had another chance to score, but Cannemo – playing a good game – pushed the ball away and prevented a second goal for Atar and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Despite attempts by Atar and Gonzalo Garcia, who missed twice in the additional time against the Maccabi Netanya goalkeeper, the score remained the same until the end of the game. A small 1-0 in a difficult game takes the yellow team to its hiatus in a positive mood. Next round (15.9), Maccabi Tel Aviv will play outside again, against HaPoel Haifa at Kiryat Eliezer.
