Maccabi Tel Aviv’s second preseason friendly of their Mierlo, Holland training camp saw them face the Belgium Champions Genk who have already booked their ticket to the Champions League Group Stages.
After falling to Union two days ago, Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included Andreas Gianniotis in goal, Maor Kandil, Jair Amador, Sheran Yeini, Ophir Davidzada, Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan, Dor Micha, Yonatan Cohen, Chico Ofoedu and Aaron Schoenfeld.
First Half
Maccabi took control of the contest early on, but a Genk corner saw Sébastien Dewaest jump over the Yellow & Blue defense to head home the ball past Gianniotis for a 1:0 lead.
Ivic’s squad tried to get back into the contest but had trouble creating chances while Genk also had issues finding opportunities to add to their advantage as the half ended with the Belgium outfit ahead 1:0.
Second Half
Ivic didn’t make any changes to his lineup as Maccabi tried to find Schoenfeld in the box as the Yellow & Blue out pressure on Genk trying to find the equalizer. In the 55’ Gianniotis almond the door on the Belgium’s from 7 meters to keep the score as is. However, two minutes later a give and go between Joseph Aidoo and Théo Bongonda left the latter with a cross that went off of Amador and into the Maccabi goal for a 2:0 Genk lead.
Immediately following the goal, Ivic made his first substitute introducing Ruslan Barsky for Micha and a minute later Kandil and Barsky teamed up to almost full back a goal. In the 63’ Itay Shechter came into the match for Schoenfeld as Maccabi continued to press for a goal as Rikan tested tiger Belgium keeper from outside of the box in the 65’. Three minutes later Cohen’s 18 meter free kick didn’t find the target as Eylon Almog entered the match in his place.
Finally in the 72’ Maccabi cut the lead to 2:1 after Shechter was down in the box and Ofoedu converted the penalty kick. Just as Maccabi looked for the equalizer, it was Jakub Piotrowski who scored from inside the area to give Genk a 3:1 advantage. As the match headed into injury time Zinho Gano scored from 11 meters to wrap up a 4:1 Genk victory.
Maccabi Tel Aviv will play their 3rd and final preseason friendly against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.
