Tal Ben Chaim opened his account for Maccabi Tel Aviv as the 31-year-old winger scored two second half goals in a friendly match at Kiryat Shalom.
With eight players on international duty, Maccabi’s coach Georgios Donis gave important minutes to the rest of the squad. Eyal Golasa who returned from a week’s mourning following the death of his father, was given a chance to get back to fitness at the heart of midfield.
It took Itay Schechter 22 minutes to open the scoring following a mazey run by Dan Biton. The hot and humid weather conditions made it difficult for both sides, hence the decision to play 40 minutes in each half.
Nick Blackman struck the base of the post as Maccabi came close to double the score. Eighteen minutes into the second half, Ben Chaim with his trademark move down the flank, was rewarded for his efforts. The winger charged down the right flank, skipped past his marker and flicked the ball into the far corner.
Ben Chaim gained confidence as he had a shot hit the wrong side of the post, before grabbing his second and Maccabi’s third with spectacular style as he chipped the keeper from the edge of the area on 67.
