Pre Match
Carrying a one-point-lead over second place Maccabi Haifa before kick-off, Maccabi’s coach Patrick van Leeuwen made several changes from the side that was held to a 1-1 against Haifa at Sammy Ofer in midweek . Maor Kandil stepped back into the starting line-up as he replaced Andre Geraldes at right back. The rest of the defense remained unchanged with Louis Hernandez and Eytan Tibi as the two central defenders while Enric Saborit in his usual left-back position. Sheran Yeini and Dor Peretz kept their place at the heart of midfield with Avi Rikan completing the midfield trio.
Eduardo Gurrero who came off the bench to score the equalizer against Haifa, earned himself a place in the starting-11 on the opposite wing to Tal Ben Chaim, while Aleksandar Pesic who served a one-match touchline-ban against Hapoel Be’ersheva led the three-man strike-force.
First Half
The game started slightly more aggressive than usual on both sides but Petah Tikva’s Yinon Eliyahu ended up being the first player to go into Orel Greenfield book for an elbow on Enric Saborit. It took Maccabi 12 minutes to create the first chance as Aleksandar Pesic had a header saved by Arik Yanko following a pinpoint Maor Kandil cross. But the chance wouldn’t have counted anyway as the tall Serbian striker was caught offside.
Three minutes later Tal Ben Chaim charged forward for a counter attack and threatened to break into the area before tumbling down under what seemed like an Eliyahu foul. Referee Orel Grienfeel however, waved Ben Chaim’s claims for a foul which could have awarded Maccabi a penalty if not a second Eliyahu booking.
Saborit’ long range attempt of a cross on 26 threatened to creep under the crossbar before Yanko pushed it over for a corner. Right on the half hour mark, Eduardo Gurrero sent a telling cross which caught Petah Tikva’s defense flat yet didn’t reach either Pesic or Ben Chaim.
A minute later though, the deadlock was finally broken with the Panamanian winger playing a key role as he blasted a powerful left foot drive which Yanko failed to hold on to. Pesic reacted first pounce on the rebound and slot home the opening goal for his ninth league goal which took him level with Yonatan Cohen.
On the stroke of halftime Maccabi came close to double the score as Guererro sent Maor Kandil into the area before the right-back forced Yanko to make a last gasp save from his dangerous shot.
Second Half
Van Leeuwen made his first change at the interval as Eylon Almog replaced Ben Chaim for the restart. Within a minute Pesic came centimetres away from doubling his tally on the night after being sent clear through by Avi Rikan. The Serb skipped past the advancing keeper but with the goal at his mercy struck the side netting.
Shahar Piven came in for Sheran Yeini on 56 as Van Leeuwen added a fresh pair of legs into the midfield. Yanko then denied Guerrero’s volley in the 63rd minute as the industrious Panamanian was released by a Rikan header.
In the 66th minute Petah Tikva managed to level the score against the run of play as substitute Morgan Ferrier beat Maccabi’s offside trap only to be denied by an initial Tenenbaum save. Liel Abada slotted in the rebound which was initially waved by the linesman as offside, only to be corrected by the VAR to make it 1-1.
Van Leeuwen made an instant change as Etey Shechter came in for Pesic for the final 23 minutes. In the 80th minute Van Leeuwen made his fourth change when Matan Hozez came-in for the tired Rikan.
Three minutes later, Maccabi were back in-front in spectacular fashion with Guerrero scoring a wonder goal. Louis Hernandez sent a long ball out of defense which Guerrero brought down, flicked it to Almog whose cross was nodded into the path of Gurrero. The Panamanian controlled the ball with one touch before sending an unstoppable shot that gave Yanko no chance and sailed into the top corner.
While Petah Tikva sent everyone forward in a desperate bid to snatch a late equalizer, Guerrrero had the last laugh. Five minutes inside injury time, the industrious winger picked the ball up deep inside his own half, sprinted almost from one box to another before finding Yanko’s bottom corner to complete a dream night and seal the score at 3-1.
