Goals from Djordje Jovanovic (6), Enric Saborit (68) and Stipe Perica (86) earned Vladmir Ivic’s side a 3-0 victory over Croatian outfit Lokomotiv Zagreb in the third and final practice match of pre-season.
After two defeats to Aalmannia Aachen (1-0) and Westerlo (2-1), Maccabi began the match on the front foot and came close to score in the opening minute. Brandley Kuwas won possession in the middle of the park and released Parfait Guiagon who flashed a shot across the face of goal.
Five minutes later Maccabi took the lead as Kuwas and Dan Biton combined to break into the area, before the diminutive midfielder shot struck the base of the post. Djordje Jovanovic reacted first to the rebound and with a cheeky back-heal flick beat Zagreb’s keeper Mykyta Turbaievski to put Maccabi in front.
Biton continued to look lively as in the 12th minute he blasted a shot from outside the area which sailed over the crossbar. Djordjevic came close to double the score as Biton carved Zagreb’s defence open with a pinpoint pass only for the Serbian striker to be denied by the keeper. Ibrahim Aliyu shot wide from the edge of the area in the 19th minute as Zagreb reached a chance of their own before a last gasp Sheran Yeini tackle on 28 kept Maccabi’s lead intact. In the 45th minute Daniel Peretz was drawn into the action as he stretched himself to keep out a Sandro Kulenovic’s header. On the stroke of halftime, Kuwas tried his luck from the edge of the area but the Curacao international’s powerful drive missed the target.
Vladimir Ivic made four changes in the 55th minute as Biton, Eyal Golasa, Guiagon and Jovanovic made way for Gabi Kanichowsky, Avi Rikan, Eduardo Guerrero and Stipe Perica.
Four minutes later Peretz pulled a stunning save to deny Art Smakaj whose powerful effort from inside the area was equalled by Maccabi’s custodian. Two minutes after the hour mark, Kuwas came close once again but Zagreb’s keeper, Krunoslav Hendija kept the Croat’s in the game.
In the 68th minute however, Hendija managed only to deny Idan Nachmias’ header following a Kanichowsky corner, but as the central defender flicked the rebound back into the danger zone, Guerrero headed to Enric Saborit who slotted in the second goal.
The Panamanian forward played a central role in Maccabi’s third goal on 86 as he twisted and turned before crossing to Perica whose close range header sealed the win.
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Daniel Peretz, Andre Geraldes (Maor Kandil 73), Idan Nachmias, Sheran Yeini, Enric Saborit (Ofir Davidzada 73), Joris van Overeem (Nadav Niddam 73), Dan Biton (Gabi Kanichowsky 55), Eyal Golasa (Avi Rikan 55), Brandley Kuwas (Eylon Almog 73), Parfait Guiagon (Eduardo Guerrero 55), Djordje Jovanovic (Stipe Perica 55).
Lokomotiva Zagreb: Mykyta Turbaievski (Krunoslav Hendija 46), Marko Vranjkovic, Nikola Soldo, Vladan Bubanja, Ivan Milicevic, Mateo Maric, Art Smakaj, Lukas Kacavenda, Ibrahim Aliyu, Luka Stojkovic, Sandro Kulenovic.
Substitutes:, Krsevan Santini, Albion Marku, Hajdin Salihu, Marin Soticek, Indrit Tuci, Justin de Haas, Sherif Kallaku, Silvio Gorcian, Raul Florucz, Fabijan Krivak, Luka Islic, Jakov Vasilj.
Referee: Sander Huijs (NED).
