Maccabi continued their preparation for the Play Offs by holding a practice match this morning (Thursday) against Hapoel Kfar Sava at Lewita stadium. Eduardo Gurrero (42), Nick Blackman (63) and Oscar Bluh (89p) scored the goals that awarded Maccabi the victory.
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Daniel Peretz, Andre Geraldes (Itay Ben Hamo 45), Matan Baltaxa (Dor Turgeman 73), Sheran Yeini (Ilay Tomer 65), Ofir Davidzada (Shahar Rosen 73), Eden Kartzev (Enric Saborit 30), Rotem Yatzkar (Novatus Miroshi 45), Dan Biton (Oscar Gluh 45), Matan Hozez (Eylon Almog 45), Eduardo Gurrero (Ori Halevi 65), Etey Shechter (Nick Blakman 45).
With Eytan Tibi, Maor Kandil, Eyal Golasa, and Dor Peretz all on international duty with Israel that host Denmark, Maccabi’s coach Patrick van Leeuwen gave several young players who trained with the first team a chance to show their skills.
Eden Kartzev who recovered from his knee injury that sidelined him for almost the entire second league round, was given 30 minutes of playing minutes at the heart of midfield.
Three minutes before the interval, the deadlock was broken as Matan Hozez sent a square ball towards Etey Shechter who left it for Dan Biton before the diminutive midfielder found Gurrero. The Panamanian striker kept his calm before beating Kfar Sava’s keeper Matan Zalmanovic from close range to break the deadlock.
Van Leeuwen made several changes at the interval and in the 63rd minute doubled their leas as three of the substitutes combined in the build up for the goal. Saborit who came in for Kartzev on the half hour mark, chipped the ball to Eylon Almog whose left foot cross was headed by Nick Blackman beyond the reach of Zalmanovic.
Van Leeuwen introduced several academy for the closing stages and in the 88th minute, Dor Turgeman who replaced Matan Baltaxa on 73, was impeded in the area before referee Orel Grienfeld awarded a penalty. 17-year-old Oscar Gluh, who signed a contract extension during the week, stepped up and successfully converted the spot kick to seal the victory at 3-0.
