Maccabi Tel Aviv took advantage of the international break to hold a friendly match against Ashdod thus giving several players precious playing minutes.
The PenguinPickUp training complex at Kiryat Shalom hosted the friendly match against Ashdod as a depleted Maccabi were missing all its’ international players, and were strengthened by several youth players.
Dan Glazer and Ofir Davidzada are on national team duty with the Israel that won 4-0 at the Faroe Islands, while Daniel Peretz, Ido Shahar and Bar Cohen were with Israel’s U-21’s that beat Hungary 2-1 in Gyor. Eduardo Guerrero was also absent as the winger was also called up for Panama national team. Gabi Kanichowsky made his debut appearance for Maccabi since joining from Maccabi Netanya in midweek while Daniel Tenenbaum returned to goal for the first time this season after recovering from a back injury followed by COVID.
Ashdod took the lead as early as the 8th minute as Oz Bilu beat Tenenbaum with a close range effort that went in off the crossbar. Ten minutes later Maccabi were back on level terms as Eden Shamir won the ball in the middle of the pitch, slipped the ball to Stipe Perica before the Croatian striker released Eylon Almog who beat Yoav Geraffi.
Two minutes after the interval, Ashdod were back in front as an attempt of a clearance bounced off Noaf Bazea to beat Tenenbaum from close range. Luis Hernandez scored seconds within his introduction as a powerful Perica header was pushed by Sahar Hason onto the crossbar, before the Spanish defender deflected the ball home from close range.
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Daniel Tenebaum, Matan Baltaxa (Enric Saborit), Idan Nachmias (Luis Hernandez), Shahar Piven (Roten Garameh), Sheran Yeini (Adir Cordoba, Maor Kandil), Eden Shamir, Gabi Kanichowsky (Matan Hozez), Dan Biton, Ronen Hanzis (Roy Nawai), Eylon Almog, Stipe Perica (Carlos Riviera).
Referee: Snir Levy
