10-man Maccabi Tel Aviv came from a goal down to beat Maccabi Netanya 3-1 at Bloomfield Stadium
Just six days after the turbulent events at the Tel Aviv derby and with red-carded midfielder Eran Zahavi looking on from the terraces, Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight returned their focus to winning football matches. They played the last ten minutes of their home tie against Maccabi Netanya last night with ten men after goalkeeper Juan Carlos was sent off in the 79th minute for handling a ball outside the area. But with captain Sheran Yeini deputising in goal they held on to a lead provided by a Rade Prica brace and a maiden season goal by Eytan Tibi to complete a come-from-behind 3-1 victory. The win extends to 22 games their home record without a loss.
Against the run of play the visitors drew first blood on the quarter hour mark after a quickly taken free kick just outside the area was poked in by Netanya's Nigerian forward Olarenwaju (Larry) Kayode. But by the half hour Maccabi Tel Aviv were level when striker Rade Prica headed in a Nikola Mitrovic cross for his first of two goals on the evening. Five minutes before the break Maccabi Tel Aviv were already out in front 2-1 when defender Eytan Tibi headed in his first goal of the season from a cross by winger Tal Ben Haim.
The second half started as a more balanced affair, with Kayode and fellow striker Ran Rol making good efforts for the visitors. But the goal came at the other end when on 69 minutes a defensive error by Maccabi Netanya left Rade Prica onside with no-one but the keeper to beat and the Swede completed his brace to put Maccabi Tel Aviv ahead 3-1. Ten minutes later Tel Aviv keeper Juan Pablo came out of his area to stop a Netanya attack but saw red after handling the ball as it looped over his head. With no substitutes left, captain Sheran Yeini took his place between the posts and even managed two handsome saves as ten-man Maccabi Tel Aviv held on to win 3-1.
This coming weekend Maccabi Tel Aviv will get a rest from league duties, but not five of their players who will join the national Israeli team to host Bosnia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday: defenders Eytan Tibi, Omri Ben Harush and Sheran Yeini, midfielder Eran Zahavi and winger Tal Ben Chaim.
