Maccabi Tel Aviv ended its three game preseason training camp in Austria drawing with FK Anzhi Makhachkala 1:1. The club returns to Israel tomorrow and will continue its preparations for the UEFA Champions League second round qualifying match against Hibernians FC in Malta next week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmgNoaWFyB0
Coach Slavisa Jokanovic began the match with Juan Pablo in goal, Eden Ben Basat, Tal Ben Chaim and Dor Micha up top with a midfield of Nikola Mitrovic, Nosa Igiebor and Gal Alberman with Omri Ben Harush, Tal Ben Haim, Carlos Garcia and Eitan Tibi shoring up the defense.
Both sides had a number of chances in the first half, however it was Man of the Match Juan Pablo's penalty save that was the hilight of the first 45 minutes. Defender Tal Ben Haim was charged with pulling down Leonardo da Silva in the box, however Ilya Maksimov's subsequent penalty was brilliantly batted away by the veteran Spanish 'keeper with his right hand!
The second half began with Maccabi bringing in Gili Vermouth for Gal Alberman, however minutes later a breakdown by defenders Tal Ben Haim and Eitan Tibi allowed for an easy tap in goal by Ivory Coast striker Yannick Boli. The Anzhi marksman scored 15 goals last season for his club and gave the Russian side a 1-0 lead.
Yellow-and-Blue 'keeper Juan Pablo continued his strong play and saved the day again later on in the half as he was quick off of his feet to make yet another "showstopping" save. Tal Ben Chaim and Barak Izhaki also had opportunities but their chances went wide of the goal.
In the 85th minute Eden Ben Basat took the bull by the horns and scored off a a free kick which was deflected into the Anzhi goal by Andrei Eshenko to give Maccabi a well earned 1:1 draw.
