Maccabi advance to "Toto" Cup semi-finals with a 0-2 win at Hapoel Petach Tikva, courtesy of Omri Ben Harush and a maiden goal by Ben Reichert
Even before tonight's return leg, Maccabi Tel Aviv's advance to the semi-finals of the "Toto" (League) Cup seemed to be secure after their 6-0 thrashing of Israeli Premier League newcomers Hapoel Petach Tikva last week at Bloomfield Stadium. Tonight the team finished the job with a 0-2 victory at the "Moshava" Stadium to win the tie 8-0 on aggregate and pave the way for Maccabi's appearance at the semi-final draw.
Head coach Pako Ayestaran gave a first nod to Ben Reichert, the young international midfielder who arrived from Hapoel Nir Ramat Hasharon last spring and immediately rewarded the coach's confidence with his maiden goal for the club in the second half. Reichert was only one of ten changes the Spanish coach made from the side that faced Hapoel Petach Tikva in the first leg last week, leaving only fullback Omri Ben Harush in the first eleven for the return encounter to wear the captain's band on the night. Ben Harush too returned the head coach's trust with a first-half goal nearly identical to the one he scored in the home leg, just one minute later. In the 23rd minute he latched on to a corner by young midfielder Moshe "Moshiko" Lugassi and left-footed the ball into the Petach Tikva goal to put his side ahead 0-1. Striker Eden Ben Basat, who also scored in the 6-0 home goalfest, came close to adding a second before the break but his level shot was saved by Petach Tikva's veteran keeper Dreshler Kale. Young international midfielder Dor Micha also tried his luck before the interval, but it was the one Ben Harush goal that separated the sides when the half-time whistle blew.
It was only three minutes after the restart that Maccabi's second goal appeared, and it was a maiden goal for a maiden appearance. Ben Reichert was the first to arrive at a Kale parry of Ben Bassat's initial effort inside the area and smashed it into the far corner to put Maccabi ahead 0-2. Another new signing, Nigerian midfielder Nosa Igiebor, nearly got his first Maccabi goal as well but his strong volley sailed over the net. Before the final whistle, Dor Micha and young striker Gael Margulies both made efforts to extend the visitors' margin but to no avail. At the other end on-loan striker Dor Hugi missed an excellent opportunity when Maccabi's young international keeper Barak Levi came to his side's rescue to register the team's sixth consecutive clean sheet in this season's domestic competition, one in the league and five in the "Toto" Cup.
On Sunday September 21st Maccabi Tel Aviv return to Bloomfield Stadium and domestic duties for an 8.15pm kick-off against Hapoel Ra'anana.
