The Yellow & Blue drew 0:0 against Ashdod at the Yud Alef Stadium on Matchday 25 of the Israel Premier League. Maccabi Tel Aviv will now prepare for the final match of the regular season against Maccabi Petah Tikva next week.
Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajikovic, Avi Rikan, Yuval Shpungin, Jean-Sylvain, Eitan Tibi, Eli Dasa, Dor Micha, Jose Rodriguez, Cristian Battocchio, Aaron Schoenfeld and Nick Blackman.
Available on the bench were keeps Daniel Tenenbaum, Ofir Davidzada, Tal Ben Haim, Eyal Golasa, Vidar Kjartansson, Eliran Atar and Barak Itzhaki.
First Half
Maccabi’s opening chance took place in the 11’ when Rikan tried his luck from 25’ meters but his attempt went out, while 11 minutes later Micha handed the ball off to Schoenfeld who turned in the box however he put his shot right into the waiting hands of Ashdod keeper Yoav Gerafi.
Ashdod had their first chance in the 31’ when Dan Bitton’s opportunity from 23’ meters went into the Maccabi defense and out. Bitton again had a dangerous chance off a free kick in the 38’ but the ball went out while two minutes later Mauricio headed it over the goal as the host’s came close to taking the lead before the break.
Second Half
Maccabi looked to take the lead in the second half and they did almost that in the 53’ when Rikan sent a through ball to Rodriguez, but his chance went over the goal, while 2 minutes later Or Inbrum sent a ball to Karlo Brucic who attempted a volley, however the ball went out.
In the 64′ Eyal Golasa and Ofir Davidzada entered the match for Avi Rikan and Jose Rodriguez as Cruyff made a double substitution while he made his third in the 77’ when he brought on Vidar Kjartansson in favor of Shpungin. Three minutes later Battocchio’s corner went to Tibi but his header went over the bar.
Blackman went down the right wing in the 84’ and sent the ball to Vidar, but his header was taken care of by Gerafi and two minutes later Dor Jan’s chance was saved by Rajikovic. In the 92’ Battocchio gave Vidar another ball in the box but his header just went wide of the left post as the match ended in a 0:0 draw.
