The Yellow & Blue defeated Hapoel Raanana 4:1 at the Netanya Stadium on Matchday 3 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Japanika thanks to goals by Itay Shechter, Chico Ofoedu and a brace by Eliran Atar. Next Saturday night Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 4 as they will look to keep up their positive momentum in league play.

Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Eli Dasa, Sheran Yeini, Shahar Piven, Dan Glazer, Eyal Golasa, Ofir Davidzada, Dor Micha, Eliran Atar, Itay Shechter, Omer Atzily.

Available on the bench were keeper Haviv Ohayon, Chico Ofoedu, Eitan Tibi, Avi Rikan, Aaron Schoenfeld, Maor Kandil, Ruslan Barsky.

First Half
Maccabi opened the contest looking to control the ball but it was Raanana who had the first chance as Rajkovic blocked a free kick by Nemanja Nikolic. In the 7’ the Yellow & Blue had their first opportunity of the match, but Golasa’s attempt went over the bar. As Maccabi continued to press they found the back of the goal in the 16’ when a terrific through ball by Micha made its way to Shechter who slotted it home for a 1:0 lead.

Raanana looked to get back into the game in the 23’ when Maccabi lost the ball as Tal Ayala came in on Rajkovic but the keeper made the big save to keep the score as is. The Yellow & Blue continued to maintain possession for the balance of the half as Micha, Shechter and Atzily all had fine chances on goal but Raanana keeper Assaf Tzur was up to the task as the host’s took a 1:0 advantage into the break.

Second Half
Raanana had an opportunity to draw even in the 54’ but Kayes Ganem’s attempt missed the target while at the other end Golasa’s long range chance went over the goal. Coach Ivic made his first substitute in the 63’ as Ruslan Barsky replaced Atzily and saw his side double their advantage to 2:0.

Dasa broke down the right wing and sent a wonderful cross to Atar who made no mistake with the ball and put it behind Tzur. Rajko made another big save this time on a Ganem attempt in the 66’ as he looked to cut into the Maccabi lead, however, 3 minutes later the Yellow & Blue added their third goal of the contest. Golasa stole the ball and sent it to Micha who found Atar streaking in from the left side as #16 picked up his second goal of the match beating Tzur yet again for a 3:0 lead.

Ten minutes later a Raanana corner kick made its way into Rajkovic’s goal as the ball went off of Yeini for an own goal but they last word would be Maccabi’s as Ofoedu beat Tzur in the box to give the Yellow & Blue a 4:1 victory and the 3 points. Next Saturday night Maccabi will visit Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 4 of the Israel Premier League.