With Maccabi's home play-off tie against Beitar Jerusalem just around the corner, it's time to look back at some of the most spectacular encounters between the two clubs in recent years. Part two of a series
Season 2009/10, gameweek 15: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Beitar Jerusalem 4-3
Perhaps not a season either side will look back upon with pride, but at this match both teams produced one of the most spectacular displays in the long rivalry between them. Both sides were blessed with head coaches of legendary proportions: Maccabi's greatest ever goalscorer Avi Nimni for the home side and the equally acclaimed Itzhak Shoom for the visitors. That season, two members of Maccabi's current squad were both on the books at Beitar, defender Eytan Tibi and striker Barak Itzhaki , who was already practising his renowned overhead kicks at his future home venue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjuXxXeKQ8o
The opening moments of the match looked ominous for the home side as Beitar striker Toto Tamuz scored on eight minutes to put the visitors ahead 0-1. Maccabi equalised on 26 minutes when Serbian midfielder Ivica Ilayev crossed to Bolivian defender Ronald Raldes, whose header was deflected into the path of an onrushing Sheran Yeini, who walloped home to restore parity at 1-1. Twelve minutes later the home crowd were treated to another spectacle, as defender Roni Gafni provided for midfielder Tamir Kachlon, who scored from the same spot as Yeini and turned the tide at 2-1. And If the first half hadn't already provided enough excitement, on the stroke of half time Barak Itzhaki treated the visiting fans to one of his signature (half) overhead efforts to bring Beitar level at 2-2 going into the break.
The second also opened with a storm as five minutes in Tamir Kachlon turned provider for midfielder Yossi Shivhon, whose header restored Maccabi's lead at 3-2. Five minutes later it looked like the home side had put the contest to bed when Zambian striker Emanuel Mayoka scored Maccabi's fourth. But it was Barak Itzhaki who would have the final, if not decisive, say in the match when he rounded two defenders to fire past Maccabi keeper Liran Shtrauber and settle the score at 4-3.
