Maccabi Tel Aviv ended the calendar year in style and began their Treble run when they defeated Maccabi Haifa at the Netanya Stadium 2:1 to win the Toto Cup. The victory marked the first time since 2008/09 that the Yellow-and-Blue won the trophy and the fifth time in franchise history that they picked up this piece of hardware.
Head Coach Pako Ayestaran’s side got on the scoreboard first as Haifa’s Matan Ohayon accidentally headed the ball into his own goal in the 41st minute. Unfortunately, the Yellow-and-Blue would have a miscue of their own early on in the second half when defender Eitan Tibi slipped the ball by keeper Barak Levy to even up the score, 1:1.
However, Maccabi would find a way to bring the trophy back home in the 84th minute when Dekel Keinan pushed Barak Badash in the box, good for a Mitrovic penalty. The veteran Serbian midfielder coolly stepped up to the spot and put the ball into the back of the goal to help begin the Treble Season and send the crowd into ecstasy.
