Maccabi Tel Aviv let go a 2-0 advantage in two second-half minutes to record their first home draw of the 2013/14 season. Eran Zahavi and Nikola Mitrovic scored for the home side, captain Sheran Yeini was sent off in injury time
Tonight Maccabi Tel Aviv dropped their first points at home this season, playing out a 2-2 draw against Maccabi Petach Tikva at Bloomfield Stadium in matchweek 9 of the Israeli Premier League. Despite the home side creating a number of good chances, the first half ended goalless, with all four goals coming after the restart. Midfielders Eran Zahavi (from the penalty spot) and Nikola Mitrovic provided Maccabi Tel Aviv with a two-goal advantage but the lead was relinquished just over ten minutes from time, first through an own goal by defender Manuel Ortiz (Manne) and two minutes later through a fine long-range effort by Petach Tikva substitute midfielder Dia Seba.
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The first Maccabi Tel Aviv threat to the Petach Tikva goal came early in the first half by midfielder Omri Altman, followed by two successive efforts by striker Barak Itzhaki, both deflected by Petach Tikva goalkeeper Itzhak Gigi. Just after the quarter hour mark, the home side were once again on the attack and Gigi did well to stand firm against an onrushing Omri Altman. Traffic continued to flow in one direction and midfielder Eran Zahavi's effort was parried before striker Rade Prica shot just wide of the post. The target continued to elude them, though midfielder Dan Einbinder hit the crossbar with a long-range effort that signalled the end of the first half.
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Less than five minutes after the restart Maccabi Tel Aviv finally found the net after Rade Prica was brought down in the area and Eran Zahavi converted the penalty to give the home side their first lead of the evening. After Barak Yitzhaki saw another strong effort saved by Itzhak Gigi, Maccabi Tel Aviv's second goal came ten minutes after the first. Second not just for Maccabi Tel Aviv, but also for Serbian midfielder Nikola Mitrovic, who received a pinpoint back pass from Rade Prica in the area which he slammed into the lower left-hand corner of the Petah Tikva net. And then, with the home side two goals in front and seemingly in complete control of the match, the visitors scored two goals in the space of two minutes just ten minutes from time that levelled the match at 2-2. On 77 minutes home defender Manuel Ortiz (Manne) was unlucky to stand in the way of keeper Juan Pablo's parry of a Petach Tikva corner and nudged the ball back into his own net. Two minutes later Petach Tikva midfielder Dia Seba, who came on for Gidi Kanyuk on the hour mark, found space just outside the Maccabi Tel Aviv area and let fly with a handsome strike that flew past Juan Pablo into the upper left-hand corner of the net to even the score at 2-2. In extra time Maccabi Tel Aviv captain Sheran Yeini was sent off for a second bookable offence, but the scoreline remained unchanged.
International play this week-end means Maccabi Tel Aviv will have a break from league duties, but they will return the following week when they play away to Hapoel Haifa.
