Preview
Maccabi arrived at the AEK Arena in Larnaca for the first leg of the Conference League 3rd qualifying round supported by around 600 travelling fans. For the match against the Cypriot side, Maccabi’s coach, Robbie Keane, made four changes to his side that beat Petrocub Hincesti last week in Moldova.
Daniel Peretz started in goal with Nir Bitton partnering Enric Saborit at the heart of defense. Roy Revivo kept his place as he made his second senior start at left-back while Yvann Macon completed the back-four on the right. Joris van Overeem continued in the anchorman role, with Dor Peretz and Dan Biton completing Keane’s unchanged midfield trio. Parfait Guiagon who impressed as he came off the bench last week before scoring the opener in Chisinau, started on one wing with Yonatan Cohen on the opposite flank. Eran Zahavi led the team out wearing the captain’s armband as well as Keane’s attack upfront.
On the bench amongst the substitutes, Keane, named Roi Mishpati, Dan Glazer, Dor Turgeman, Gabi Kanichowsky, Sheran Yeini, Eyal Golasa, Derrick Luckassen, Ofir Davidzda, Eylon Almog, Shahar Piven, Ido Shahar and Djordje Jovanovic who all waited for their chance to make an impact.
First Half
The match began at frantic pace as both teams pressed forward right from the off aiming to score an early goal. Two minutes after the start Dan Biton was booked by Belgian referee, Nathan Verboomen for a clumsy challenge on Nenad Tomovic. AEK’s Angel Garcia was also shown yellow for protesting the color of Biton’s card. The resulting free kick was clipped into the box by Gustavo Ledes, eluded Maccabi’s defense but was headed wide by Facundo Sanchez.
Within a minute Maccabi’s claims for a penalty were waved by Verboomen despite Biton clearly brought down in the area by Tomovic. AEK and Maccabi continued to look dangerous at both ends of the pitch and in the 10th minute Roy Revivo was required to head the ball right from the goalmouth following a Garcia cross which managed to catch Daniel Peretz off guard. Three minutes later, Eran Zahavi slid the ball to Yonatan Cohen, but Maccabi’s forward who had only AEK’s keeper to beat, failed to connect. Peretz was called into action in the 16th minute as he tipped over the bar an Adam Gyursco shot before Ledes missed a close-range header two minutes later. Maccabi continued to push forward as Cohen tested Kenan Piric with a curling left foot shot which was equaled by AEK’s keeper in the 20th minute.
A second penalty claim was also dismissed by the Belgian referee on 25 after AEK’s Bruno Gama handled the ball inside the area.
Four minutes after the half hour mark, Dor Peretz released Eran Zahavi with a through ball from the halfway line but he saw his effort sail wide of the left post. Maccabi created their best chance so far as Parfait Guiagon and Dor Peretz exchanged passes on the edge of the box before teeing-up Zahavi. Only for the veteran marksman to miss the target once again from a position he normally scores. In the 36 minute Zahavi blasted a shot over the crossbar as it was clear that it wasn’t going to be his day.
The referee’s halftime whistle sent both teams to catch their breaths following the action-packed first half and prepare for the second half.
Second Half
With no changes at the restart, Maccabi began the second half on the front foot as Guiagon stole a ball bear the halfway line and released Zahavi who was clear through but was let down by his first touch.
In the 51st minute, Guiagon and Biton exchanged passes to break into AEK’s area, but the Ivorian who received the cut back and was in a good position to score – sent a weak shot straight at the keeper. The chances continued to fall in Maccabi’s way and less that 30 seconds later a Zahavi chip managed to confuse two AEK defenders as the ball fell to Peretz who broke clear through. But the 28-year-old midfielder saw his miscued effort roll across the face of goal and to the wrong side of the post. Maccabi continued to look dangerous and should have taken the lead two minutes later as Biton found Zahavi deep inside box before he unselfishly set up Peretz. But from five meters out, the hard-working midfielder somehow managed to guide his shot straight at Piric. AEK’s Spanish coach Jose Luis Oltra made his first change on 55 as Imad Faraj replaced Rafael Lopes. Enric Saborit was booked by Verboomed for a foul on fellow countryman Fran Sol in the 58th minute.
Two minutes after the hour mark, Maccabi’s keeper needed to remain alert to catch Sol’s volley, which was making its way into the top corner following a Gyurcso corner. But the deadlock was finally broken in the 64th minute as Cohen cut inside from the right before unleashing a left foot powerful drive that beat Piric to send the 600+ travelling fans off their seats.
A Maccabi counter-attack on 69 began with a Van Overeem through ball to Guiagon. The diminutive Ivorian sent a shot-come-cross that deflected off a defender before Piric clawed the ball out for a corner.
The hosts were back on level terms in the 80th minute as Fran Sol rose above Enric Saborit to flick a goal kick into the path of Faraj. AEK’s substitute stole the ball before Nir Bitton could clear, raced through on goal and toe-poked his effort beyond Peretz. Three minutes later the hosts were awarded a penalty as Yvann Macon was beaten to a tackle in the center circle before Gyurcso charged forward with Bitton judged to have brought him down in the area. Ivan Trickovski stepped up to take the spot-kick but Peretz pulled another heroic stunning save to keep out the penalty.
Despite the fourth official indicating six minutes of added time, no goals were scored as the tie will now be decided at Bloomfield next week.
