Striker Barak Badash scored on either side of the half to hand Maccabi their first victory in the "Toto" Cup
After Tuesday night's goalless draw away to Maccabi Netanya, Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight hosted fellow group 2 opponent Hapoel Ra'anana in round 2 of the "Toto" (League) Cup, played at Petach Tikva's "Moshava" Stadium due to a one-match home venue ban.
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The first half got off to a lethargic start, with both home and travelling fans waiting until the 23rd minute for the first incident of any significance. For the Maccabi fans, though, it was well worth the wait: A cross by new signing Nosa Igiebor found Barak Badash onside in the area ahead of his two markers and the 6 foot 1 inch striker struck past Ra'anana keeper Arik Yanko to put his side 1-0 in front. In the minutes that followed it was the visitors who came close to drawing level with two good opportunities. After three handsome Ra'anana passes in the area Nigerian striker Anthony Nwakaeme saw his powerful shot masterfully stroked away for a corner by Maccabi's young international keeper Barak Levy, and four minutes later his Senegalese counterpart Mamadou Toure Thiam shot wide from inside the five yard box with only the keeper to beat. At the other end Maccabi's second striker, new signing Eden Ben Basat, tried his luck with a chip but Yanko rose to the occasion and the two sides went into the break with Maccabi still nursing their slender one-goal lead.
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The second half began much as the first, with a second goal by Barak Badash representing the first bit of real action. On 66 minutes midfielder Mahran Radi, who had come off the bench in the first half, threaded a pin-point pass to Badash in the five yard box and the outstretched striker poked past the onrushing Ra'anana keeper to double Maccabi's advantage. Ten minutes later Radi came close to making it three but sliced a delightful cross by winger Tal Ben Haim high and wide. A minute from time Ra'anana captain Eli Babayev tried his luck with a well-shot overhead kick from inside the area, but once again Barak Levy proved his worth by leaping high to the far corner to slap the effort to safety. The final whistle drew to a close Maccabi's first victory and second clean sheet of the competition, putting them at the top of their group with four points. The date of their final group 2 match against municipal rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv has yet to be determined.
The next fixture of Maccabi's 2014/15 domestic campaign will also be played at the "Moshava" Stadium when they visit Maccabi Petach Tikva in the opening tie of the Israeli Premier "Winner" League next Monday August 24th at 8.15pm. Before that, on Thursday night August 21st at 9.15pm, Maccabi will visit Greek side Asteras Tripoli F.C. for the first leg of the Europa League play-off round.
