Pre Game
Still licking their wounds following the disappointing dramatic defeat at Haifa, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the match against Hapoel Be’ersheva 15 points adrift of the league leaders. Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic who was missing several players through illness, injury and suspension was forced to make changes to his side against Be’ersheva who arrived at Bloomfield with an unbeaten record in 16 league matches. Eylon Almog, who limped off with an injury against Haifa and Eduardo Guerrero who was handed a two-match suspension by the IFA Disciplinary court, joined an already long list of absentees which included Luis Hernandez, Shahar Piven, Sheran Yeini and the latest addition of Eyal Golasa.
Daniel Peretz, who despite conceding three second half goals against Haifa had an overall good performance to keep his place in goal. Krstajic returned to a four-man defensive line as Matan Baltaxa and Idan Nachmias lined-up right in front of Peretz while Andre Geraldes replaced Maor Kandil and returned to the right-back position. Enric Saborit, who played against Petah Tikva and Haifa as a central defender, returned to his regular role at left-back. Dan Glazer led the team out once again wearing the captain’s armband as he teamed-up with Eden Shamir in the midfield engine room. Shamir, who scored a wonder goal against Haifa that came back-to-back with his goal away to Maccabi Petah Tikva – will seek a third goal in a row this time in front of the home fans. Gabi Kanichowsky returned to the side and completed the midfield trio with Tal Ben Chaim and Matan Hozez on both wings. Osama Khalaila who returned to the squad against Haifa after completing his one match suspension, was handed a rare start upfront as he led the line ahead of Stipe Perica. The Croatian striker as well as Brandley Kuwas, Avi Rikan, Maor Kandil, Dan Biton, Ido Shahar and Ronen Hanzis all waited for their chance to make an impact from the substitutes bench.
First Half
Prior to kickoff a minute of applauds was held in memory of Shlomo Gerbi who played for Maccabi in the late 60’s and 70’s and passed away last week.
Maccabi began the match with composure as Mladen Krstajic’s formation seemed to have surprised his Be’ersheva counterpart.
The visitors had the first shot at goal as David Petruzzi’s shot in the fourth minute was equalled by Daniel Peretz. A minute later Petruzzi almost turned provider as his square ball was volleyed wide by Sagiv Yehezkel. Maccabi’s first serious attack resulted with a Matan Hozez shot that struck the side netting in the seventh minute. Be’ersheva’s captain, Miguel Vitor, went into the referee’s book for a foul on Dan Glazer on 13 as tackles were flying all over.
Maccabi’s first shot on target came in the 28th minute as Enric Saborit blasted a powerful left foot shot that was caught by Omri Glazer. Hozez curled a left foot shot from the edge of the area that went wide on 33. Maccabi’s claims for a penalty following a tug of shirt on Matan Baltaxa in the 37th minute were waved by the referee and the VAR. On the stroke of halftime a Hozez cross reached Eden Shamir inside the area, but his attempt of an overhead kick went straight into the hands of Glazer.
Second Half
While Krstajic stuck with the same team, Roni Levy made one change as Eugene Ansah came on for Yehezkel at the restart. Baltaxa flashed a header wide of the post in the 50th minute following a corner.
Daniel Peretz kept Maccabi in the game as gr pulled a stunning save to deny Nikita Rukavytsya who broke clear through in the 58th minute. A minute later at the opposite end Saborit blasted a left foot shot that dipped before Glazer managed to catch on his line. Eden Shamir forced Glazer to fingertip save right on the hour mark to keep out the midfielders powerful drive.
Osama Khalaila carried a counter attack in the 63rd minute and sent a perfect cross into the dangerzone only for Hozez to miss it with his attempt of a diving header. Two minutes later Khalaila was rewarded for his efforts as a Kanichowsky shot deflected off his body to wrongfoot Glazer and break the deadlock.
Krstajic made a double substitution in the 70th minute as Khalaila and Ben Chaim bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced by Stipe Perica and Dan Biton.
Biton fired a free kick against the wall after Kanichowsky was fouled in the 75th minute before Hozez forced Glazer to push his free kick over the crossbar three minutes later. Saborit came close to double the score in the 85th minute but the Spanish left back who ghosted behind Be’ersheva’s defence, headed Biton’s pinpoint cross wide of the target. Avi Rikan replaced Hozez in the 88th minute as Krstajic made his third change and added an experienced head and a fresh pair of legs for the closing stages.
Kanichowsky was also given a standing ovation by the majority of the 21,311 fans as he came off inside injury time for Brandley Kuwas shortly before the final whistle was sounded.
