The Yellow & Blue dominated play both prior to and after Tal Ben Haim’s late first half red card but couldn’t find the back of the Greens goal as the sides split the points on Matchday 5. Maccabi will now prepare for their Thursday night Europa League clash against Spanish outfit Villarreal at the Netanya Stadium.
Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI featured Predrag Rajikovic in goal with a defense of Ofir Davidzada, Tal Ben Haim, Jean-Sylvain Babin and Yuval Shpungin. Captain Sheran Yeini, Jose Rodriguez and Cristian Battocchio anchored the midfield while Eliran Atar, Omer Atzily and Vida4 Kjartansson provided the attack.
Available on the bench were keeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Avi Rikan, Eitan Tibi, Barak Itzhaki, Dor Peretz, Tino-Sven Susic and Nick Blackman.
First Half
After ten minutes of back and forth football, Yeini headed the ball into the Haifa post for Maccabi’s first chance of the contest, while Atzily tested the Haifa keeper from 30 meters but Omri Glazer made a fabulous save by tipping the ball over the bar in the ‘18. Atzily again led the attack down the left flank and crossed the ball into the box, but couldn’t find his intended target a minute later.
In the 22’ Aztliy went into the box and back-heeled the ball to Atar but his screamer went off of the left post. 8 minutes later, Atzily slotted the fall to Vidar in the middle of the box but his attempt just went wide right of the goal as Maccabi continued to apply all kinds of pressure. Atar and Atzily teamed up in the 41’ but couldn’t find the back of the goal and then 3 minutes later bad news for the Yellow & Blue struck. Ben Haim gave up the ball to Nikita Rukavysta and then pulled down the Green’s striker on his way to the Maccabi goal and was issued a red card while Jordi Cruyff was ejected from the match.
Atzily dribbled into the box and went by a couple of Haifa defenders but came up short on his attempt as the half came to an end with the sides goalless.
Second Half
Following ten minutes of Maccabi control, Haifa had a chance as Caio just missed the goal while the Yellow & Blue came back the other way as Atzily gave a brilliant ball to Atar who tried to send it to Vidar but the Greens defense cleared the danger. In the 63’ Battocchio tried a long attempt from 30 meters but the ball just went wide.
Nick Blackman was introduced in the 73’ in favor of Vidar as Maccabi freshened up the offense playing one man down. Atzily sent a smart shot on goal in the 77’ but Glazer made the save while at the other end Sinteyehu Sallalich’s chance was stopped by Rajikovic. Haifa then had former Maccabi man Omri Ben Harush sent off with a second yellow card in the 80’.
Battocchio unleashed a scorcher from 25 meters out that just went by the left post one minute later. Blackman then went into the box and slotted the ball to Atar on the left but Glazer made a brilliant kick save in the 87’ as Avi Rikan came into the match for Omer Atzily. Davidzada took a chance right after the substitute from long distance but his shot went out as the match came to an end with the Yellow & Blue taking home a point.
