With the clash with title rivals Ironi Kiryat Shmona now imminent, here follows a review of the three most exciting Maccabi home victories against Israel's most northernmost top-flight club. Feel that excitement once again as you look at the video and then choose your personal favourite . . .
Sept. 24th 2012, match day 4: The reigning champions get a clear warning from the champions in waiting
After the three consecutive victories that opened the head coach Oscar Garcia era, Maccabi hosted title holders Ironi Kiryat Shmona in front of a 12,171-strong crowd at Bloomfield Stadium. The stage was perfectly set: Defender Eytan Tibi was ready to face his ex, striker Eliran Atar, who would go on to score 22 goals that season, was sharpening his cleats. After 44 tension-filled minutes of football, Argentinian born midfielder Gonzalo Garcia, in his first year at Maccabi, scored his maiden league goal following a spectacular personal effort. Four minutes after the break Eliran Atar doubled the home-side advantage from the spot. Maccabi continued to dominate proceedings and with just under ten minutes to go midfielder Mahran Radi also scored his first league goal in Maccabi kit from outside the area. A minute from time Atar added his second to crown a 4-0 victory that signalled the start of an extraordinary season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6JU2gqu3wU
Sept. 28th 2012, match day 4: Short and sweet
After a huge 0-3 victory at Maccabi Haifa's old Kiryat Eliezer Stadium, Maccabi Tel Aviv, now under the tutelage of head coach Paulo Sousa, welcomed Ironi Kiryat Shmona and their new head coach Barak Bachar to Bloomfield. 12,671 spectators filled the terraces to watch the home side put on a masterful first-half performance, starting with a splendid free kick from 25 metres out from midfielder Eran Zahavi that put Maccabi 1-0 up. The reigning champions kept up the pressure and on 21 minutes young striker Munas Dabbur also got on the scoreboard to make it 2-0. And just as the Maccabi faithful were getting ready to stretch their legs at half time, winger Tal Ben Chaim dazzled the crowd with one of the classiest moves of the league week, double-passing with fellow winger Dor Micha who back-heeled to Ben Haim to score Maccabi's third.
May 11th 2014, match day 34: Maccabi hoist the championship trophy
Eight days after sealing the title with a 1-2 victory at Hapoel Beer Sheva's Wassermill Stadium, Maccabi Tel Aviv returned home to Bloomfield Stadium where all lay in waiting for the official championship ceremony. 12,789 fans packed the stands, filling the stadium with a bright yellow glow. The stage was set for the players themselves, and it was ex-Kiryat Shmona midfielder Dan Einbinder who first found the net, his maiden goal for his new club. Five minutes later Kiryat Shmona were back in the match with a goal by ex-Maccabi midfielder Ro'i Kahat, but on 25 minutes Einbinder once again took centre stage by setting up Dor Micha for Maccabi's second. In the second half Eran Zahavi added a third and Maccabi Tel Aviv were primed to lift the Israeli Premier League Championship trophy for the second season running.
Now it's your turn to choose your favourite, the most exciting ever Maccabi home victory against Ironi Kiryat Shmona. Just click here and cast your vote.
