Preview
Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the penultimate League match of the 2022/23 season as MD35 will see them host second place Hapoel Be’ersheva. After the visitors were docked three points by the IFA Disciplinary Court, Maccabi found themselves four points adrift in the table. A victory against a Be’ersheva depleted squad that is plagued with injuries and suspensions thanks to the incidents which followed the end of their victory over Maccabi Haifa – would see Maccabi relaunch the chance of finishing the season in the runners-up spot. Aitor Karanka’s squad is also not short of absentees with Derrick Luckassen joining a long list which already included several first team players: Eran Zahavi, Enric Saborit, Nir Bitton all out injured while Andre Geraldes and Parfait Guiagon both serving a one-match touchline ban.
Dor Turgeman was also missing as the 19-year-old forward is away on international duty with Israel’s Under 19’s for the U-20 World Cup Finals tournament in Argentina. Sheran Yeini, who featured at the heart of defence during last week’s defeat to Maccabi Haifa, kept his place as the veteran skipper led the team out wearing the captain’s armband. Dor Peretz partnered Yeini as the second central defender in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Maor Kandil replaced Geraldes at right-back with Ofir Davidzada completing Maccabi’s back-four at left back. Joris van Overeem was named in the midfield engine room alongside Eyal Golasa with Avi Rikan handed a rare start at the top of the midfield trio. Gabi Kanichowsky who scored Maccabi’s opener at Sammy Ofer, kept his place on the wing with Yonatan Cohen with a rare start of his own, supplied width at the opposite flank. In the absence of Zahavi, Karanka named Djordje Jovanovic as the lone striker with the 23-year-old Serbian forward aiming to add to his seasonal tally of 15 league goals and 23 in all competitions.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum, the Spanish coach named: Dan Glazer, Dan Biton, Rares Ilie, Eylon Almog, Shahar Piven, Matan Hozez and two players from the U19’s side – Ilay Tomer and Bar Lin.
Prior to kick-off, Maccabi’s CEO, Sharon Tammam and Team Manager, Yoav Ziv, presented Dan Glazer with a framed shirt marking his 200th appearance for the club.
First Half
Maccabi began the match on the front foot and were given the first chance to score as early as the fourth minute. Eyal Golasa was fouled on the edge of the area by Roei Gordana as referee Gal Leibovic awarded Maccabi a direct free kick in an excellent position to score. Yonatan Cohen stepped-up to take the free but the 26-year-old was let down by his effort which was directed straight at the Be’ersheva wall.
Some slick passing in the 10th minute carved Be’ersheva’s defence open as Gabi Kanichowsky and Avi Rikan exchanged passes to break into the box. The diminutive midfielder squared the ball towards the penalty spot where a misunderstanding between Djordje Jovanovic and Cohen resulted with the latter slicing the ball wide. Four minutes later however the deadlock was finally broken as Cohen switched sides to Davidzada who exchanged passes with Kanichowsky to cut into the box once again. Davidzada cut the ball back for Kanichowsky whose right foot low drive beat Be’ersheva’s keeper to put Maccabi in-front with his fifth league goal and seventh in all competitions. Maccabi’s blitz continued as Cohen was at the start and at the end of move which resulted with the second goal a minute later. With Be’ersheva stunned by the opening goal, Cohen released Avi Rikan and continued his run into the area. In almost carbon copy of Kanichowsky’s goal, Rikan cut the ball back before Eyal Golasa teed-up Cohen whose half volley gave Omri Glazer no chance to make it 2-0 with his first goal of the season.
Be’ersheva reached their first chance on 23 as Tomer Hemmed blasted his effort high and wide while his coach Elyaniv Barda made his first change with Andre Martins replacing Or Dadia.
Maccabi came close to increase the lead as a long pinpoint Daniel Peretz pass four minutes later found Kanichowsky who slid the ball to Rikan but the veteran midfielder couldn’t make enough contact to direct the ball on target.
A well drilled corner on 36 saw Cohen whip-in a dangerous left foot shot forcing Glazer to full stretch before the Israeli international keeper managed to claw the ball out of his goalmouth.
Maccabi continued to dominate frustrating all of Be’ersheva’s efforts to get back into the game. In the 43rd minute Dor Peretz was booked for holding Hemmed on the halfway line preventing the veteran Be’ersheva striker from breaking forward for a counter attack.
Second Half
With no changes to personnel after the interval, Maccabi began the second half where the first one left off. A Jovanovic cross minutes after the restart was cleared by the visitors’ defence that also managed to clear Rikan’s attempt of a cross. Sheran Yeini and Peretz marshalled the defence frustrating both Hemmed and Ramzi Safuri and allowing Joris van Overeem and Golasa to dominate the midfield. Cohen came close in the 59th minute but his header following a Kanichowsky cross landed on the roof of the net. Three minutes later he flashed a right foot fierce drive which narrowly cleared the crossbar. Karanka made his first substitution in the 64th minute as Jovanovic bowed out to a standing ovation and was replaced by Eylon Almog.
Almog could have scored with his first touch less than sixty seconds later as a perfect counter attack ended with a Rikan cut-back only for the fresh substitute to miscue his shot wide.
Etey Shechter replaced Safuri and was applauded on the pitch by Maccabi’s fans as was Eytan Tibi who blocked a Rikan shot in the 75th minute. The majority of the 12,740 fans at Bloomfield applauded Cohen for his efforts on the night as he was replaced by Dan Biton in the 82nd minute.
A minute later Almog also opened his account for the season as the 24-year-old forward clinically finished Kanichowsky’s cross to increase Maccabi’s lead to 3-0.
In the closing stages, the visitors were denied twice by a double Peretz saves as first it was Dor who blocked a Gordana close range volley before Daniel pulled a stunning save to deny Patryk Klimala.
A minute later Karanka made a double change as Eyal Golasa and Rikan both bowed out and were replaced by Matan Hozez and Bar Lin who made his league debut.
The full time whistle confirmed Maccabi’s 20th league victory of the season to take the point tally to 70 points from 35 matches. As the 2022/23 season comes to a close on Saturday, Maccabi’s final match away to Ashdod and Be’ersheva’s home match against Maccabi Netanya will decide the final league standings.
