The 1980’s saw a period of below par achievements for Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, earning the decade the nickname the “thin years”. While adding two State Cups to the trophy cabinet, the club remained without a league title throughout the decade. The first of the two consecutive State Cup triumphs, however, was won in dramatic fashion in a final against Maccabi Haifa in the 1986/87 season.
Shimon Shenar was the Head Coach who managed many clubs as well as the Micronesia National Team. Boni Ginzburg, Avi Cohen, Menashe Shimonov, Hay Krais, Alon Natan, Moshe Griani along with Eli Driks were the main cogs for the Yellow & Blue while veteran Benny Tabak was also part of the squad.
Maccabi had a decent regular season finishing in third place, but they didn’t threaten champions Beitar Jerusalem who won the league by 15 points over the second place side (Bnei Yehuda) and 19 points over the Yellow & Blue. Maccabi met Beitar in the State Cup semifinals as the capital city side fantasized about taking home the Double, however, Alon Natan had other plans. An outstanding individual effort helped Shenar’s team to a 2:0 win and as Driks also scored in the victory but this was just the start of something special for the striker.
Thousands of fans filled the Ramat Gan Stadium stands on June 9, 1987 to see Maccabi Tel Aviv face Maccabi Haifa in the State Cup Final. A number of years earlier the two sides played in one of the all-time great matches in the history of Israeli football as a game that ended 4:4 was won by the Yellow & Blue in penalties. This time the two clubs again played to an amazing classic tilt and perhaps one of the greatest of all-time.
After 120 minutes the score was 3:3. Griani and Driks scored for Maccabi as Haifa was able to comeback twice and even took a 3:2 lead in the extra time period thanks to Zahi Armeli. Scene minutes from time, Driks drew the Yellow & Blue even on a beauty of a bicycle kick goal to send the contest to a penalty shootout. Striker Benny Tabak’s final kick saw Maccabi Tel Aviv lift their first State Cup trophy in ten years, their 16th in their history. Watch the goals:
