The Championship Playoffs get underway and they’ll certainly bring plenty of action and excitement along with dramatic and important moments. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s first test will be on Sunday against Hapoel Haifa at the Netanya Stadium (21:00) and just before we get rolling let’s look back at some kind the great matches of the past.
2012/13: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1:0 Ramat Hasharon
The opening match of the playoffs saw the Yellow & Blue at the top of the table but Maccabi Haifa cut the gap and opened up the championship battle. Maccabi Tel Aviv was frustrated for most of the contest but then Rada Prica and Eliran Atar combined to work their magic.
2013/14: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1:0 Maccabi Haifa
On Matchday 30, Maccabi had an 8 point lead over second place Hapoel Beer Sheva and looked to widen the gap close out the championship race. A win over the Greens would put the stamp on another title and that would happen deep into injury time even after a missed 89’ penalty.
2014/15: Maccabi Tel Aviv 3:1 Hapoel Beer Sheva
The Match of the Season took place on Matchday 2 of the playoffs as 5 points separated the two sides with a win being critical for either club. It began with a quick goal by Eran Zahavi but the southern squad drew even just as the second half began. However, two Maccabi goals near the end of the game gave the Yellow & Blue a huge push towards the title.
2015/16: Maccabi Tel Aviv 3:2 Beitar Jerusalem
The season didn’t end with a championship but on Matchday 30 the Yellow & Blue had a dramatic playoff win against Beitar Jerusalem thanks to a 90’ Eran Zahavi goal which also moved Maccabi into first place. The goal is also remembered as being Zahavi 31st of the campaign which broke Nissim Elmaliah’s single season goal scoring record. Just as the play by play announcer said, “Wow, wow and wow!”
