Pregame
Maccabi’s Head Coach Patrick van Leeuwen, who guided the team to an amazing record of 22 points from a possible 24 since being appointed, made four changes from the side which recorded the dramatic late victory over Bnei Sachnin.
Enric Saborit, who completed his one-match touchline-ban, returned to the left side of defense at the expense of Ofir Davidzada. Andre Geraldes, Eytan Tibi and Luis Hernandez kept their place to complete the back-four while the midfield trio of Dan Glazer, Dor Peretz and Avi Rikan also remained unchanged. Van Leeuwen made two more changes to his frontline as Matan Hozez and Eylon Almog made way for Dan Biton and Tal Ben Chaim who were both named as the two wingers. Aleksandar Pesic led the attack with Etey Shechter, Nick Blackman and Eduardo Guerrero waited for their chance on the bench together with Sheran Yeini, Maor Kandil, Matan Baltaxa and Shahar Piven.
First Half
Maccabi took the initiative early on but in the fourth minute it was Hadera who took the lead from their first corner. Maxim Plakuschenko crossed the corner into the box before Jonathan Cisse headed home past Daniel Tenenbaum.
In the 16th minute, Enric Saborit tried testing Rubi Levkovic from long distance, but the Spanish left back’s shot, was gathered with ease by Hadera’s keeper. Three minutes later Maccabi were back on level terms through Avi Rikan who latched onto Dor Peretz’ knockdown from a Louis Hernandez long throw. Rikan brought the ball down and sent a low drive which went in off the post.
In the 23rd minute the comeback was complete as Dan Biton whipped in a pinpoint cross with his left and Aleksandar Pesic was given the time and space to head the ball in and make it 2-1. Rikan tried to send a chip over Levkovic on 28 following good work by Peretz, but the ball didn’t rise high enough to beat Hadera’s keeper.
Saborit went into the referee’s book in the 40th minute for a foul on Liran Rotman before Plakuschenko blasted the free kick directly at Pesic. A minute later, Rotman fired a shot forcing Tenenbaum to bend over and collect.
In the 44th minute, a comedy of errors in Maccabi’s defense, resulted with a mix up inside the area as the ball pin-balled in the five meter box before it was cleared.
Second Half
Van Leeuwen made his first change after the interval as Eduardo Guerrero replaced Tal Ben Chaim for the restart. A minute later, Biton began one of his trademark dribbles down the right flank, cut inside and unleashed a left-foot shot which sailed over the crossbar.
Maccabi continued looking dangerous as Guerrero came close after being released by Biton before his effort was blocked. Pesic also broke clear through following a Guerrero pass but the Serbian striker was stopped by the advancing keeper. Maccabi looked destined to score a third as Rikan had a left foot shot pushed out by Levkovic on 52. In the 56th minute Levkovic was beaten by Dan Glazer’s right foot shot, but the crossbar denied the midfielder his debut goal of the season. Levkovic continued to keep Hadera in the game as he denied Guereero and then Peretz right on the hour mark.
Maccabi were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 69th minute as Biton latched onto a square ball, caught Hadera’s defense flat and released Pesic who kept his calm and slotted home his second and Maccabi’s third. This was the final contribution of Pesic and Biton on the night as both players came off together with Glazer as part of a triple substitution which saw Etey Shechter, Matan Hozez and Sheran Yeini introduced for the final 20 minutes.
Peretz came close to replicate his winning goal against Sachnin this time from a Kandil cross, but the midfielder’s header was caught by Levkovic on 82.
