Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Eli Dasa, Enric Saborit, Eitan Tibi, Jair Amador, Dan Glazer, Dor Micha (C), Ruslan Barsky, Omer Atzily, Aaron Schoenfeld and Vidar Kjartansson.
First Half
The host’s took a quick 1:0 lead in the 2’ as Tobias Heintz scored on a free kick from 30 meters that made its way into the Maccabi goal off the slick artificial turf and the post. Just six minutes later the Norwegian outfit doubled their advantage thanks to a Matti Lund-Nielsen penalty after a foul by Tibi in the box, 2:0 Sarpsborg.
In the 10’ Schoenfeld almost pulled a goal back for the Yellow & Blue but the host’s defense cleared the ball at the last second. However, two minutes later, Kjartansson was tripped up in the box and put home the 11 meter spot kick to cut the Sarpsborg lead to 2:1. Maccabi then pressed for the equalizer but couldn’t convert their chances over the next few minutes.
In the 30’ Maccabi missed a pair of tremendous opportunities as Atzily made his way down the pitch, went into the box but his shot went off of a Sarpsborg player and out. Saborit had a pair of attempts off corner kicks to no avail while a 35’ chance by Barsky missed the goal by inches as the Yellow & Blue went into the break down 2:1.
Second Half
A Rajkovic foul in the 55’ resulted in Sarpsborg’s second penalty of the match as Patrick Mortensen converted the kick for a 3:1 lead. 12 minutes later Ivic made his first substitution as Chico Ofoedu came on for Atzily while in the 76’ Itay Shechter was introduced for Kjartansson as the Head Coach looked to freshen up the attack.
Eyal Golasa entered the match in the 88’ in favor of Barsky as Maccabi fell 3:1 in the first leg of the Playoff Round as the return leg will take place next Thursday night at the Netanya Stadium.
