Preview
Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the match against newly promoted side Hapoel Nof Hagalil on the back of Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Hapoel Haifa that saw them climb up the table. With 14 points from the opening 10 matches, Barak Itzhaki and his charges knew that a second victory in succession will take them further up the table. Itzhaki made a single change from the side that won at Haifa as Osama Khalaila led Maccabi’s attack replacing Croatian striker Stipe Perica who waited for his chance on the bench.
The defence remained unchanged with Luis Hernandez and Idan Nachmias as the two central defenders right in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Enric Saborit and Andre Geraldes completed the back-four on the left and right respectively while Sheran Yeini kept his role as the anchor-man in midfield. Eyal Golasa and Gabi Kanichowsky were the two additional midfielders assigned to supply the ammunition for the frontline. Tal Ben Chaim who opened his account against Haifa kept his place in the side with Brandley Kuwas at the opposite side with a clear task of supporting Khalaila.
Prior to kickoff Maccabi held a ceremony in memory of Bloomfield’s stadium manager, Eitan Shor, who lost his battle against cancer this week and dies at the age of 55.
First Half
Maccabi began the match pressing Nof Hagalil into their own half which almost resulted in an early goal. Osama Khalaila stripped a Nof Hagalil defender of the ball deep inside the visitors’ half before shrugging off another on the way into the box. But the young industrious striker who was in a good position to shoot, had his effort blocked by a defender.
A minute later, Luis Hernandez became the first player to be booked by referee Erez Papir for pulling a Nof Hagalil opponent near the halfway line. Maccabi continued to look dangerous as Tal Ben Chaim had a shot blocked for a corner in the 10th minute while Enric Saborit sent a cross that didn’t find a Maccabi player in the box on 13. Eyal Golasa had a left foot shot deflected for a corner in the 20th minute which resulted with a Saborit shot that was blocked once again.
Right on the half hour mark, Sheran Yeini was also booked for a foul which stopped a Nof Hagalil counter attack. Roei Shukrani tested Daniel Peretz with a right foot shot from the edge of the area in the 35th minute that was equalled by the young Maccabi keeper.
Brandley Kuwas who sent an earlier effort over the bar, had another powerful shot which narrowly missed the target on 36 as it seemed the Curaçao forward is getting closer to find the target. Three minutes later and against the run of play, Nof Hagalil managed to level the score as Waheb Habiballah successfully converted the ball past Peretz after Maccabi struggled to clear a corner.
With no further goals the referee’s halftime whistle sent both teams to the dressing room for 15 minutes of a break.
Second Half
Nof Hagalil were forced to make a change at the restart as their goal scorer, Habiballah, who picked an injury before the interval was replaced by Stav Nachmani.
A Kuwas left foot half volley in the 49th minute went wide of the target before Ben Chaim who was put through by Khalaila sent his shot straight at Marinovic on 50. Itzhaki made his first change in the 58th minute as Stipe Perica came in for Khalaila.
An Eyal Golasa shot in the 64th minute, cleared the crossbar which was his final contribution on the night. Shortly after, Itzhaki made a double change with Golasa replaced by Eden Shamir while Dan Biton came in for Ben Chaim.
In the 69th minute, a well drilled free kick fell to Saborit only for the Spanish defender’s effort blocked by a defender before Marinovic collected with ease. Yeini had a good chance to restore Maccabi’s lead in the 73rd minute as he chested a Kuwas corner at the far post. But the veteran captain saw his volley saved by the keeper before Perica fired the rebound wide.
Eylon Almog and Eduardo Guerrero came in for Kuwas and Kanichowsky on 85 as the Itzhaki sent in two players with fresh legs for the final 5 minutes.
Despite four minutes of added time, Maccabi couldn’t breach the visitors’ defence who celebrated the draw at the final whistle amid the displeasure expressed by the majority of 10,240 fans who attended the match.
