Due to Maccabi Tel Aviv’s packed schedule as they play in various competitions, Head Coach Slavisa Jokanovic chose to go with a squad laden with youth players and gave Gaby Kanichowsky and Dor Galili their first starts for the big team. Joining them on the pitch was 17-year old ‘keeper Haviv Ohayon and Dan Glazer who ply their trade for the Under-19 side as well.
Four veterans rounded out the defense in Yuval Shpungin, Omri Ben Harush, Oz Raly and Yoav Ziv serving as the captain. Oz Raly, Dor Micha and Shlomi Azulay joined Galili in the midfield while Eden Ben Basat played next to Kanichowsky up top. Later in the match Tomer Altman, Mahmoud Alawesat, Maxim Grechkin and Or Dasa would make their debuts with the parent club. The first half didn’t start as planned for the Yellow-and-Blue with Bnei Yehuda taking a 2:0 lead by the 25th minute on goals by Almog Bozaglo and Amir Agaiev. The first goal came off of a Pedro Galvan blistering shot that was mishandled by Ohayon allowing Bozaglo the easy score while the second goal was assisted by Jude Nworuh after goalscorer Agaiev’s strike hit off of the right post. The second half saw an inspired Maccabi Tel Aviv come out onto the pitch looking to score a pair of goals and even up the match.
Shlomi Azulay’s 47th minute chance was blocked by Bnei Yehuda ‘keeper Dele Aiyenugba for a corner kick as the visitors continued to press for a goal. However, it was Bnei Yehuda who would score first as Ohad Kadosi pounced on his own rebound in the 63rd minute to give the home side a 3:0 lead. Eden Ben Basat pulled one back in the 89th minute on a beautiful pass from Yoav Ziv, but it was too little too late as Maccabi would be knocked out of the Toto Cup for 2015/16.
