Maccabi Tel Aviv dropped Bnei Yehuda 2:1 to end the regular season undefeated after 26 Matchdays. Visiting Bnei Yehuda took a 1:0 lead in the first half as Tambi Sagas scored off a missed penalty but an Eliran Atar second half free kick and a Rikan strike in the 81’ off an Atar assist completed the comeback as Maccabi took the 3 points. Vladimir Ivic’s squad will now ready to open the Championship Playoffs on Saturday afternoon when they host Hapoel Hadera at 16:00.
Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included, keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Enric Saborit, Shahar Piven, Sheran Yeini, Eli Dasa, Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan, Dor Micha, Chico Ofoedu, Omer Atzili and Eliran Atar.
Available on the bench: Daniel Tenenbaum, Jair Amador, Maor Kandil, Ruslan Barsky, Dan Glazer, Itay Shechter, Yonatan Cohen.
First Half
Bnei Yehuda and Maccabi traded chances in the 5’ when Baltaxa’s attempt in the box was saved by Rajkovic and Micha’s shot from 15 meters went out. Two minutes later Chico’s opportunity missed the target and in the 12’ Rikan’s long shot was blocked by the defense.
Maccabi continued to control the pace of play but couldn’t create any opportunities until Atar’s free kick went off target which was followed by Rikan receiving a yellow card in the 30’. However, Dasa pulled down Tchibota in the box to set up a penalty for Bnei Yehuda. The initial spot kick by Shay Konstantini was saved by Rajkovic when he dove to his right but Tambi Sagas put in the rebound for a 1:0 lead.
Yonatan Cohen replaced an injured Micha in the 40’ as Ben Yehuda took a slim one goal advantage into the break.
Second Half
Cohen opened the half with a long distance effort but keeper Yehonatan Shabi made the save and in the 50’ Dasa crossed the ball to Ofoedu but he missed the goal. Two minutes later Atar sent the ball to Rikan and his 20 meter attempt just went out while Cohen and Ofoedu almost found the equalizer a minute later.
Atar would find that equalizer in the 60’ when he sent a perfect free kick into the top right hand corner of the goal. Itay Shechter entered the contest for Ofoedu as the striker almost completed the comeback but his 64’ header just went by the post. Saborit was issued a yellow card a minute later while Rajkovic was up to the task in the 72’ when he saved a one on one chance by Tchibota.
Atzili’s attempt went over the goal and Ivic made his third substitute in the 76’ when he inserted Ruslan Barsky for the aforementioned Atzili. Two minutes later Cohen sent a ball to Peretz but his header just missed the target as Maccabi came closer to taking the lead.
And take the lead they would in the 81’ when Rikan pounded home the ball thanks to an Atar assist as the Yellow & Blue went ahead 2:1. Tchibota almost drew even in the 89’ but his shot went off the bar. Barsky picked up a yellow card in added time while Bnei Yehuda were reduced to ten men when Ismaila Soro was issued his second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Rikan.
Tchibota had a last gasp free kick to find the tying goal but the ball was cleared by the Maccabi defense and the referee blew the whistle as the Yellow & Blue remained undefeated throughout the regular season.
