Goals by Chen Azriel and Dominic Glavina sealed a 0-2 win for Beitar Jerusalem and dumped Maccabi Tel Aviv out of the National Cup competition
After six consecutive wins in all competitions, Maccabi Tel Aviv was dumped out in the last 16 round of the National Cup competition by Beitar Jerusalem by a score of 0-2. Beitar for their part arrived at the match on a run of poor form in the league but in typical Cup fashion such statistics played no part in the match itself. A spot kick by striker Chen Azriel before half time gave Beitar a narrow 0-1 lead at the break. After the restart Maccabi laboured on but they failed to find an equaliser and in injury time substitute midfielder Dominic Glavina added a second handing Beitar a 0-2 victory.
The just above 13,000 spectators at Bloomfield Stadium watched the match open with cautious play by both sides and few threats to either goalkeeper. It wasn't until just after the half hour mark that anything of consequence occurred but it also proved to be a game changer. Referee Liran Liani pointed to the spot after Maccabi defender Omer Vered brought down Beitar striker Chen Azriel in the area, and the latter converted despite Maccabi goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama getting a hand on the ball. Close to half time Maccabi midfielder Moshe Lugassi tried to emulate his match-winning goal against Bnei Yehuda but his effort went wide leaving Beitar with their slim advantage at the halftime whistle.
After the restart Maccabi head coach Oscar Garcia made two quick substitutes with midfielder Gonzalo Garcia and striker Rade Prica coming on for Moshe Lugassi and Roberto Colautti respectively. Moments later the Swedish striker had a golden opportunity to equalise but could only hit the outside netting. At the other end Beitar midfielder Avi Rikan came close to doubling the visitors' lead with an effort that brushed the woodwork of Maccabi keeper Vincent Enyeama's goal. And the latter once again saved from Rikan close to the end when facing him one on one in front of goal. With Maccabi pressing endlessly forward in search of an equaliser even in injury time, their vulnerability at the back enabled Beitar midfielder Dominic Glavina to shoot past Enyeama from close range and seal a 0-2 victory that sent Maccabi Tel Aviv crashing out of the National Cup competition in the last sixteen for the eighth consecutive year.
On Saturday the Maccabi Tel Aviv squad will return to league duties when they face Bnei Sachnin at Doha Stadium.
