Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium aiming to build on the victories in the derby and away to Bnei Sakhnin and record their third win in succession. With 19 points from eight matches and two adrift of the leaders, Maccabi knew that a win will not only stretch their run to three victories in succession but will also see them climb to the top of the table.
Coach Vladimir Ivic made several changes to his side as Derrick Luckassen made his second start since joining Maccabi earlier this summer as the Dutch central defender joined Enric Saboroit and Nir Bitton as the three central defenders. Bitton who played at the heart of midfield in Sakhnin returned to his regular position as a central defender right in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Maor Kandil, was rewarded for his second half substitute appearance at Doha stadium which resulted with the late winning goal as he started as the right wing-back. Ofir Davidzada was named on the opposite left flank to complete Maccabi’s defensive line. Dan Glazer returned to the anchorman role as he was partnered in the midfield engine room by Gabi Kanichowsky. Oscar Gloukh completed the midfield trio as the diminutive youngster was named ahead of Glazer and Kanichowsky and right behind Eran Zahavi and Djordje Jovanovic.
On the bench alongside Daniel Tenenbaum, Ivic named Dan Biton, Joris van Overeem, Guiagon Parfait, Sheran Yeini, Avi Rikan, Eyal Golasa, Andre Geraldes and Dor Peretz.
First Half
The match began at frantic pace as Maccabi moved the ball around trying to beat Maccabi Netanya’s high pressure and aggressive style. It took Maccabi 12 minutes to create their first chance but when they did Vladimir Ivic’s side produced a spectacular goal which should complete as one of the goals of the season.
Eran Zahavi turned a Netanya defender and fed Oscar Gloukh who released Enric Saborit down the left flank before the Spaniard squared the ball into the path of Djordje Jovanovic. With every player touching the ball once, the Serbian forward followed suit as he volleyed his fifth of the season past Itamar Nitzan to break the deadlock.
Jovanovic came close to double the score shortly after or at least fed Zahavi as Maccabi charged forward for a counter attack, but this time the shot was too weak to beat Nitzan. Dan Glazer was booked by referee Gal Leibovic for a tackle on Aviv Avraham at the centre of the park. Erich Berko forced Daniel Peretz to dive and make a save as Netanya enjoyed a purple patch with Eden Kartzev dominating the midfield.
The visitors continued to look dangerous as two minutes after the half hour mark Amir Berkovitts received the ball from Avraham, cut inside and forced Peretz to make another save. Four minutes later, Zahavi came close as he released Kanichowsky first, ran into space and received the ball back before firing his shot over the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Derrick Luckassen showed his speed and aerial superiority every time the Dutch central was challenged by a Netanya opponent. In the 41st minute Gloukh and Davidzada exchanged passes to break into Netanya’s area, but the attempt to cut the ball back for Jovanovic was cleared by the visitors’ defence. On the brink of halftime Maccabi doubled their lead as Gloukh fed Zahavi who gave Nitzan no chance as he blasted the ball from the edge of the area into the top corner.
Second Half
With no changes to personnel, Maccabi returned to the pitch after the interval determined to begin the second half where they left off. Netanya made two changes as Ido Vair replaced Erich Berko while Shai Konstantini came in for Berkovitts. Jovanovic almost doubled his tally on the night but this time Nitzan charged off his line and dived at his feet to squander the chance on 47. With Glazer carrying a yellow card from the first half, Ivic didn’t want to take any chances as Dor Peretz was introduced on 53 stepping into the heart of midfield.
Saborit added to his assist with a spectacular goal of his own right on the hour mark as he sent a powerful left foot rocket right on the hour mark to make it 3-0. Ivic made another double change in the 64th minute as Andre Geraldes and Joris van Overeem came in for Maor Kandil and Kanichowsky.
Luckassen and Gloukh bowed out to a standing ovation as they were replaced by Eyal Golasa and Guiagon Parfait in the 75th minute. The substitution was delayed for several minutes as VAR checked the decision to dissallow a Jovanovic goal from the goalline after Saborit chipped the keeper from inside the area.
