For the third time running, the Tel Aviv Derby was settled with yellow on top as Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Hapoel Tel Aviv 2-0 coutesy of goals from Eran Zahavi and Dor Micha
Last night Maccabi Tel Aviv hosted their big city rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium for the fourth game of the upper tier playoff matches of the Premier (Winner) League. Both sides came into the game having won their third-round matches last week, Maccabi against Ironi Kiryat Shmona and Hapoel against Hapoel Ramat Hasharon.
With the stadium awash with a magnificent and thunderous display of Maccabi Tel Aviv support, striker Eliran Atar opened the Maccabi assault with just six minutes on the clock with a furious shot from the area that Hapoel keeper Apola Adel just managed to deflect. Twenty minutes later it was Atar once again taking advantage of a corner and an ill-timed departure by Adel from his goal mouth to release an accurate strike that the keeper was lucky to turn away. Maccabi kept up the pressure and just five minutes later it paid off when midfielder Dor Micha sent a ball into the area that fellow midfielder Eran Zahava slammed into the opposition net with a splendid high volley that put Maccabi out in front 1-0.
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The remainder of the first half passed without incident but after the restart it was the red half of the Tel Aviv rivalry that opened with the greater intention. It took striker Toto Tamuz just three minutes to threaten Maccabi's goal but Maccabi keeper Vincent Enyeama proved up to the task. Four minutes later it was the turn of striker Tal Ben Haim to try his luck but his shot flew high over the Maccabi crossbar. But with that Hapoel's moment had passed while at the other end Eran Zahavi turned provider for Dor Micha who shook off his marker in the area and shot deep into Hapoel's goal to double Maccabi's advantage at 2-0. On the 83rd minute Hapoel enjoyed a brief revival, with substitute defender Igal Antebi letting fly a long ball that fizzled over Enyeama's goal, but until the final whistle it was business as usual and for the third time this season Maccabi had settled the Tel Aviv Derby with a victory and a clean sheet.
Next Saturday's fifth play-off round will see Maccabi Tel Aviv return to Bloomfield Stadium as guests to Bnei Yehuda in the third little Tel Aviv derby of the season.
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