Preview
Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD23 ONE ZERO League match with a clear intention to return to winning ways after a winless run of three matches. Last week’s 2-1 defeat away to Maccabi Netanya ended Maccabi’s 11-match unbeaten run, but also kept Aitor Karanka’s charges with 45 points, four adrift of tonight’s opponents Hapoel Be’ersheva and eight behind leaders Maccabi Haifa. Elyaniv Barda’s in-form side, are unbeaten in their last 7 league matches and have only 1 defeat in the their last 19 league outings against Haifa. Ashdod’s 3-1 victory over the Haifaites at the weekend, made the match at Bloomfield even more interesting due to the effect it should have on the league standing before the regular season is concluded and the order of matches in the playoff is determined.
Maccabi’s coach Aitor Karanka made two changes from the side which was beaten by Netanya as Nir Bitton returned the starting line-up as one of three central defenders in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Enric Saborit and Derrick Luckassen joined Bitton at the heart of defence, with Andre Geraldes on the right and Ofir Davidzada on the left completing Maccabi’s defensive line. Eyal Golasa also returned to the starting line-up and joined Dan Glazer in the engine room with Parfait Guiagon at the top of the midfield trio. Upfront, Karanka kept his striking duo as Eran Zahavi and Djordje Jovanovic with an aim to emulate their striking partnership which resulted with 25 league goals so far.
On the bench, Karnaka, named goalkeeper Or Yitzhak, Dan Biton, Rares Ilie, Gabi Kanichowsky, Joris van Overeem, Avi Rikan, Maor Kandil, Dor Turgeman and Dor Peretz.
First Half
The match began with pressure in the middle of the park, as none of the teams managed to stamp their authority. Maccabi came close to draw first blood twelve minutes from the start as Ofir Davidzada curled a cross from the left into the path of Djordje Jovanovic. The Serbian forward ghosted into the area behind the Be’ersheva backline and sent a glancing header that narrowly missed the target.
Three minutes later the combination of Davidzada and Djordjevic almost resulted with a goal. Davidzada floated a free kick into the area and Djordjevic rose above three Be’ersheva defenders and once again sent his header wide.
Within a minute Maccabi took the lead from the unlikeliest of sources. Enric Saborit sent a long pass from the halfway line which cut through Be’ersheva’s midfield and found Eran Zahavi and Jovanovic on the edge of the area. Jovanovic slid the ball to Parfait Guiagon who spotted Andre Gerlades break into Be’ersheva’s penalty box. The Portuguese 32-year-old full-back blasted a shot which beat Omri Glazer to score his first goal in a Maccabi shirt and his debut goal at senior level.
Daniel Peretz was called into action minutes later as the Maccabi custodian charged off his line to pick up a cross before a Be’ersheva player could cause any threat.
Maccabi continued to look dangerous as Derrick Luckassen floated a cross in the 38th minute but Jovanovic’s header didn’t trouble Glazer too much. Be’ersheva’s captain Miguel Vitor limped off with an injury and was replaced by Mariano Barriero in the 40th minute. Within a minute Jovanovic blasted a powerful drive from 25 meters only to see his effort clear the crossbar.
Second Half
Maccabi’s coach Aitor Karanka made one change after the interval as Gabi Kanichowsky replaced Guiagon for the restart. Moments later Jovanovic was sent clear through but the Serbian forward who was placed under pressure by two defenders, couldn’t manage a shot on target.
In the 56th minute Eran Zahavi slid a through ball into the path of Eyal Golasa who struggled to keep his shot down with the ball sailing high over the crossbar. Karanka made another change in the 65th minute as Nir Bitton limped off and was replaced by Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan came in for the tired Golasa and Jovanovic bowed out with Rares Ilie making his home debut.
In the 71st minute, Be’ersheva’s defence struggled to clear a Rikan cross before the ball fell to Kanichowsky whose left foot effort sailed over. Three minutes later Zahavi met a Geraldes pinpoint cross with a diving header but Be’ersheva’s keeper pulled a stunning reflex save to deny the veteran marksman from doubling Maccabi’s lead.
Be’ersheva’s defence was caught napping in the 86th minute Rikan and Ilie who charged into the area but the Romanian’s attempt of a cut-back struck the side netting. Three minutes inside injury time Be’ersheva thought they levelled the score as Maccabi’s defence didn’t deal with a Helder Lopes free kick which bobbled in off the crossbar. But VAR dampened the visitors’ celebrations as Eitan Tibi was spotted in an offside position and cancelled what would have been a dramatic equaliser.
While Be’ersheva were rocked by the goal which was cancelled, Maccabi came close to exploit that at the opposite end. A counter attack led by Dor Peretz continued with a through ball to Rikan whose chip left Zahavi with the goal at his mercy. But somehow Zahavi volleyed his effort from point blank range against the post before Roei Reinshreiber sounded the full time whistle to end the contest and cue the celebrations in the stands.
