Maccabi Tel Aviv's players are making their final preparations towards the match against Maccabi Haifa. We decided to remind you of three alternative games in the history of the two clubs.
1991/2. Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Maccabi Haifa – Ramat Gan Stadium
After a few years of Maccabi Haifa dominating the league, Shlomo Scharf’s greens arrived to Ramat Gan Stadium to face a rejuvenated Maccabi Tel Aviv, led by coach Avram Grant. Having started the season slowly, Maccabi Tel Aviv players knew that a win against their northern rivals would give the season a whole new meaning.
Maccabi Haifa took the first lead at the 29th minute. A great pass by Eyal Berkovic found Tal Banin, who dribbled past keeper Alexander Uvarov before scoring an easy goal. Banin’s goal separated the two teams at halftime, but that was about to change after the break. Two minutes into the second half Eli Driks set Avi Cohen for an easy finish in front of the Haifa’s goalkeeper, Viktor Chanov. Maccabi piled the pressure and it took them only two more minutes to make it 2-1. Again, Eli Driks was the man to create the goal- the forward found to Avi Nimni, who struck it with his famous left foot to give Maccabi the lead and the win.
The win gave Grant’s team a tremendous morale boost and Maccabi went on to win the league title for the first time after 13 years.
2002/3. Maccabi Haifa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv – Kiryat Eliezer
Veteran television announcer Yoram Arbel started the broadcast with the following words: “Maccabi Tel Aviv fans are hoping for a miracle and to continue fighting for the title this season”. The experienced announcer wasn’t wrong to describe Maccabi’s situation, as the team struggled with consistency from the start of the season. Many assumed that after Haifa’s win in Bloomfield in the first round would mean that the greens are on the right track to win the league. The match in Kiryat Eliezer on matchday 14 would however be the one to change the course of the season.
It did not take more than ten minutes for Maccabi to strike first. Haifa’s defender Arik Benado handled the ball in the box and Baruch Dego converted the penalty kick. Haifa’s response was quick. Forward Aiyegbeni Yakubu made it 1-1, only five minutes after Maccabi’s lead. A lightning start to the second half saw Maccabi regaining the lead. This time Dego’s cross found Andreas Prohorenkovs in front of goal to make it 2-1. Fans witnessed a thrilling second half with a dramatic ending. At the 81st minute Adoram Keisi equalized again, this time following a corner. The last word however belonged to the yellows. The magical moment of the game, and perhaps the season arrived at the 84th minute. A long goal kick by Liran Strauber made it to Amir Turgeman, who flicked it to Prohorenkovs. The Latvian striker dribbled the ball into the box and squared it beautifully to Turgeman who tucked in the winning goal.
The rest of the season was as thrilling as this game, as the yellows managed to beat Haifa in their third encounter in Bloomfield. Both teams finished the season a with the same number of points, with Maccabi Tel Aviv winning the league thanks to a better goal difference.
1995/6 Maccabi Haifa vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv – Kiryat Eliezer
The stadium in Kiryat Eliezer hosted many great meetings between the two rivals and the one on matchday 26 in the 1995/96 season would end up going into Maccabi’s history books.
Maccabi Haifa was first to score. A corner kick caused confusion in Maccabi’s box and Moshe Glam managed to rifle a shot which was deflected by Roni Levi before going past Alexander Uvarov’s goal.
A different Maccabi team showed up to the second half, and Dror Kashtan’s yellows took the field by a storm.. At the 53rd minute Eli Driks put both teams on equal terms following an assist by Avi Nimni. Driks produced another great moment at the 62nd minute after running past two defenders and the goalkeeper. A wide-open Nir Klinger was there to roll the ball into Haifa’s goal in order to give Maccabi the lead. Maccabi sealed the victory at the 81st minute. Avi Nimni received a great pass from Haim Hadjaj, dribbled past keeper Davidovich and scored from inside the box.
The win by Kashtan’s team proved to be a great step towards winning the league title at the end of a season to remember.
