Maccabi suffered their second defeat of pre-season going down 2-1 to Belgian outfit KVC Westerlo at the Het Kuipje stadium on Saturday.
Vladimir Ivic made several changes from the match against Aachen, but Thomas Van den Keybus gave Westerlo the lead on 34 as his powerful drive found the top corner of Daniel Peretz’s goal. Parfait Guiagon, Stipe Perica and Eylon Almog all had shot blocked by Westerlo’s defence as Maccabi were trailing 1-0 at the interval.
Ivic made four changes at the restart as Djordke Jovanovic and then Eduardo Guerrero both missed chances to level the score but were stopped by Westerlo’s keeper Koen Van Langendonck.
Daniel Tenenbaum replaced Peretz in goal right on the hour mark, and four minutes later he was also forced to pick the ball out of the net as Kyan Vaesen doubled Westerlo’s lead.
Brandley Kuwas and Gabi Kanichowsky both looked lively as Maccabi appeared more dangerous in the second half before being rewarded for their efforts as referee Wim Amet awarded a penalty on 83.
Jovanovic stepped up and successfully converted the spot which proved as a consolation goal only.
Maccabi: Daniel Peretz (Daniel Tenenbaum 60), Andre Geraldes (Maor Kandil 60), Enric Saborit (Sheran Yeini 46), Idan Nachmias (Avi Rikan 68), Guy Mizrahi, Eyal Golasa (Nadav Niddam 60), Joris van Overeem (Tamir Glazer 68), Dan Biton (Gabi Kanichowsky 46), Parfait Guiagon (Eduardo Guerrero 60), Eylon Almog (Brandley Kuwas 46), Stipe Perica (Djordje Jovanovic 46).
