A dramatic stoppage time goal by substitute Omer Atzili cancelled out Eran Zahavi’s overhead effort just past the hour as Maccabi’s debut at “Sammy Ofer” ended in a 1-1 draw
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s maiden performance in front of 30,000 spectators at Haifa’s brand new “Sammy Ofer” Stadium ended in disappointment as a goal deep into injury time by Beitar Jerusalem midfielder Omer Atzili drew his side level after Eran Zahavi had put Maccabi ahead just past the hour mark with a spectacular personal effort.
A relatively quiet first half, dominated by Maccabi, left the two sides goalless at half time. Beitar produced the opening two chances, the first a lofted defensive strike from the half-way line on 17 minutes by defender Ze'ev Haimovich that nearly caught Juan Pablo off his line. But the Maccabi keeper, returning after a three match absence, managed to scramble back to tip it over the bar. Two minutes later midfielder Hanan Maman found space to strike from a distance but again Juan Pablo got a fist to it. It wasn't till the half hour mark that Maccabi posed a threat, but it then came in a flurry. Three consecutive home-side efforts hit the crossbar, first by winger Tal Ben Chaim, then defender Juan Carlos and finally midfielder Dor Micha.
Despite a somewhat greater urgency in Maccabi’s attacking play after the restart, a well organised Beitar defence kept the home side at bay until the hour mark. It was then that a Nikola Mitrovic cross found Eran Zahavi in the area with his back to the goal, surrounded by three Beitar defenders. But the wily Zahavi got off an overhead kick between all three that shot past Beitar keeper Boris Klaiman into the net. Zahavi’s 13th goal of the season gave Maccabi a well-deserved 1-0 lead. Maccabi continued to dominate but to their later regret failed to produce a second goal. Beitar to their credit refused to give up and in the final ten minutes in particular mounted a series of attacks that ultimately paid off in injury time. In the final minute substitute Omer Atzili headed in a cross past Juan Pablo to draw the sides level.
Maccabi return to Tel Aviv having shared the points in a full league match for the first time this season. On Saturday at 5.15pm they'll attempt to return to winning ways when they travel Hapoel Petach Tikva for their final match in the first round of Israeli Premier League encounters.
