Preview
Aiming to bounce back from last week’s disappointing 2-2 draw with Maccabi Netanya at Bloomfield, Maccabi travelled to Ashdod to face the side that inflicted them a 2-0 defeat when both teams met earlier this season.
Mladen Krstajic made several changes to his side as he welcomed Shahar Piven back into the side as the central defensive partner of Idan Nachmias right in front of Daniel Peretz. With Enric Saborit still recovering from an injury, Ofir Davidzada kept his place on the left side of defence while Andre Geraldes completed the back-four on the right. Dan Glazer led the team out with the captain’s armband as he was partnered at the heart of midfield by Eden Shamir. Gabi Kanichowsky, who scored one of Maccabi’s goals against Netanya was once again handed the attacking role at the top of the midfield trio. Dan Biton and Tal Ben Chaim were both assigned to the wings in support of Stipe Perica who led the attack.
First Half
Maccabi began the match on the front foot and reached their first chance to score inside the opening two minutes as Tal Ben Chaim was sent down the left, beat two defenders but sent his shot wide of the post. Within a minute, Dan Biton, tried his luck with a long range effort that was deflected out for a corner that was cleared by Ashdod’s defence.
Maccabi continued to dominate with Ofir Davidzada combining well down the left flank with Ben Chaim but none of their efforts seemed to result in a threat on Shahar Hasson’s goal. In the 12th minute a Stipe Perica attempt of a shot was easily collected by the Ashdod keeper. Two minutes later, Gabi Kanichowsky sent Ben Chaim into the area with a clever pass only for Ashdod’s defence to clear the danger before the forward managed a shot on target.
In view of Maccabi’s dominance, Ashdod’s coach Ran Ben Shimon made his first change after 20 minutes as Oz Bilu replaced Montari Kamaheni reverting to a four-man defence. Gil Cohen switched to left-back as the home side bolstered the midfield in an attempt to gain control of the game.
Maccabi reached its’ best chance on 27 as a pinpoint Andre Geraldes cross found Kanichowsky who teed-up Biton only for the midfielder to send his shot high and wide of the target. Dan Glazer was the first player to be booked by referee Daniel Bar Natan for a foul on Bilu in the 35th minute. Two minutes later however, Ashdod took the lead as Gil Cohen intercepted a Glazer pass to send Bilu down the left before his cut-back was side-footed by Mohamad Kna’an past Daniel Peretz.
With no further chances before the interval, Bar Natan’s halftime whistle sent both teams to regroup in the dressing rooms during the interval.
Second Half
In the 51st minute, Ashdod’s defender Timothy Awany fouled Geraldes on the edge of the area, earned himself a booking and Maccabi a free-kick. Biton stepped-up to take the free kick but his shot which curled beyond the wall, narrowly cleared the crossbar as well. Two minutes later Kanichowsky’s low powerful drive forced Hasson to a double save, but in the 55th minute Maccabi were back on level terms. Peretz began a counter attack as he quickly released Kanichowsky before the diminutive midfielder sent Ben Chaim. The 32-year-old forward chested the ball before spotting the keeper off his line and sending a delicate chip that beat Hasson from the edge of the area.
The comeback was complete four minutes later as Davidzada sent Biton into the area and with Eden Shamir ghosting unmarked at the far post, the 26-year old met the cross directed at him with a perfect volley that gave Hasson no chance to make it 2-1.
Mladen Krstajic made a double substitution in the 70th minute as Shahar Piven limped-off and was replaced by Matan Baltaxa while Brandley Kuwas came-in for Ben Chaim. Eyal Golasa replaced Biton in the 80th minute as Krstajic made his fourth change adding a fresh pair of legs into the midfield for the final 10 minutes.
Shamir bowed out to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Avi Rikan on 85. Stipe Perica sealed Maccabi’s victory in the 89th minute as he shrugged of Awany’s challenge to meet a Kuwas corner and send an accurate header that beat Hasson to set the final score at 3-1.
