The Yellow & Blue defeated Maccabi Netanya 2:0 on Matchday 33 of the Israel Premier League Championship Playoffs and collected an important three points as they look to secure a place in Europa League qualification. Vidar Kjartansson slotted home a penalty after Omer Atzily was pulled down in the box while the aforementioned Atzily scored a gorgeous goal to wrap up the victory.
Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajikovic, Eli Dasa, Jean-Sylvain Babin, Tal Ben Haim, Yuval Shpungin, Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan, Eyal Golasa, Dor Micha (C), Omer Atzily and Vidar Kjartansson.
Available on the bench were keeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Jose Rodriguez, Ofir Davidzada, Nick Blackman, Eliran Atar, Gidi Kanuk and Sheran Yeini.
First Half
The match began at a slow pace as both Shpungin and Ben Haim were each issued yellow cards early on. In the 20’ Ramzi Safouri had the first chance of the contest but Rajikovic was in place to make the timely save.
Eran Levy had a pair of opportunities later on in the half to no avail while Omer Atzili tried his luck as well but came up short. With a minute before the break, an injured Shpungin was replaced by Ofir Davidzada as the two sides went into halftime goalless.
Second Half
Maccabi had two excellent attempts to break the ice at the start of the second half, but Rikan’s 22 meter screamer was caught by Netanya keeper Dani Amos and Atzily’s chance missed the target by centimeters in the 52’ and 56’ respectively. Five minutes later Atzily looked to have scored in the 61’ but the referee called offside on the play while in the 65’ Aviv Avraham almost gave Netanya the lead but Rajikovic was up to the task.
Three minutes later the active Atzily was pulled down in the box good for a Maccabi penalty which Vidar slotted home to give the Yellow & Blue a 1:0 lead. Immediately following the goal Nick Blackman entered the match in place of the goal scorer Kjartansson. In the 75’ Blackman came in alone on Amos but his attempt just whistled by the right post and out.
Peretz was handed a yellow card in the 79’ and in the 84’ Jose Rodriguez was introduced in favor of Rikan. With Netanya looking to draw even, Atzily sent a missile into the top left hand corner of the goal for a 2:0 lead as the Yellow & Blue wrapped up the win and the three points.
