Preview
Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the ONE ZERO LEAGUE match, the first with fans since the war began as Robbie Keane’s top of the table side hosted Beitar Jerusalem.
Three days after the 2-1 victory away to Maccabi Petah which was Maccabi’s ninth league win, Robbie Keane’s top of the table side host Beitar that are unbeaten in the last five league matches. Prior to the match, Beitar were ranked 10th with 11 points but Yossi Abuksis’ outfit that won 4 lost 4 and drawn 3 could have been further up the table if not for their 4-point-deduction for disciplinary reasons. Keane made four changes to his starting line-up as Nir Bitton returned to partner Derrick Luckassen at the heart of defense. Ofir Davidzada returned to the side at left-back while Roy Revivo shifted across the defense to fill the right-back role. Joris van Overeem and Dor Peretz kept their place in midfield while the late withdrawal of Gabi Kanichowsky saw Ido Shahar make his first start and complete the midfield trio. With Felicio Milson keeping his place on the wing, Dor Turgeman returned to the side at the opposite flank while Eran Zahavi led the line upfront. The 36-year-old veteran marksman who scored for the eighth time in as many outings last week and reached 22 goals in all competitions, will aim to continue his good run of form.
Injuries to Enric Saborit Dan Biton and Eyal Golasa forced Keane to name only eight substitutes on the bench, as Roi Mishpati, Avishai Cohen, Idan Nachmias, Yonatan Cohen, Sheran Yeini, Yehuda Belay, Kiko Bondoso and Osher Davida all waited for their chance to make an impact.
First Half
Around 5000 fans were back at Bloomfield stadium for the first time since the war began in October as the match against Beitar Jerusalem began with action at both ends. An Ido Shahar corner in the fifth minute was flicked into the path of Deretz who managed to get a touch, only for the ball to strike the post. Derrick Luckassen remained on the ground inside Beitar’s area as the visitors charged forward for a counterattack. Luckassen’s defensive partner Nir Bitton tried stopping then attack with a tackle but was left clutching his knee. Beitar almost exploited the fact both of Maccabi’s central defenders were missing as Fred Friday headed wide from close range. Bitton, who required medical treatment limped off and was replaced by Nachmias forcing Keane to make his first change in the ninth minute. A pinpoint Peretz cross found Eran Zahavi who rose high at the far post but directed his header straight at Beitar’s keeper Miguel Silva. Maccabi avoided a scare as Nachmias seemed to have tripped Timothy Muzi just inside the area, but the linesman raised his flag for offside preventing what could have been a red card. Peretz had another glorious chance to break the deadlock as he found himself with only Silva to beat but Beitar’s keeper charged off his line and managed to block with his feet.
Right on the half hour mark referee Gal Leibovic booked both Zahavi and Eddie Gotlieb for a tussle between the two. Three minutes later, Beitar were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position after Peretz fouled Muzi but Yarden Shuah didn’t trouble Orlando Mosquera as he fired the free kick high over the crossbar.
In the 39th minute Milson and Shahar exchanged passes to carve Beitar’s defense open before the Angolan winger had his close effort denied by Silva. A minute later at the opposite end, Mosquera pulled a stunning reflex save to deny Friday from putting Beitar in-front.
As the fourth official indicated four minutes of added time, Ofir Davidzada was also booked for a tackle on Muzi before blowing the halftime whistle.
Second Half
With no changes made by either coach at the break, both teams emerged for the restart as Maccabi trying to carve an opening and break the deadlock. Beitar created the first chance of the second half as a counterattack in the 55th minute saw Friday released into the box but send his shot wide. Keane reacted almost instantly as he made a triple substitution by introducing Avishai Cohen, Yonatan Cohen and Kiko Bondoso for Davidzada, Shahar and Dor Turgeman.
With Milson Peretz and Zahavi struggling to find their touch, Maccabi’s attempts kept crashing against the visitors’ defense. In the 63rd minute Revivo tried a right foot shot which was easily collected by Silva while five minutes later Luckassen had a shot roll across the face of goal.
Maccabi placed Beitar under siege with Zahavi’s claims for a penalty waived by the referee as well as VAR on 71. Two minutes later Beitar’s keeper pulled a stunning save to deny Zahavi’s snap-shot. But in the 73rd minute a controversial incident saw Zahavi collide with Beitar’s keeper who remained on the ground allowing Yonatan Cohen to head the ball home. Cohen’s celebrations were short-lived as VAR had a long look at the incident before calling Leibovic to the screen for a review which ultimately led to the goal being disallowed. Silva required treatment and was replaced by Roy Sason in goal. Milson had a shot from the edge of the area that crept wide of the post shortly before Leibovic added 13 minutes. Two minutes inside added time nothing could deny Maccabi and Cohen from taking the lead. Milson broke forward and his attempt of a shot reached Cohen who rolled the ball home into the open goal. Milson bowed out to a standing ovation and was replaced by Sheran Yeini as Keane added the experienced club captain onto the field. Yeini could have sealed the contest at the death when Peretz left him in front of the keeper, but his shot rolled agonizingly wide. The final whistle confirmed Maccabi’s victory as all focus will be turned to Sunday’s match away to Hapoel Haifa which will conclude the first league round.
