Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the first time since the October 7th deadly terrorist attack, as Robbie Keane’s side hosted Maccabi Netanya for the MD9 ONE ZERO League match.
With 19 points from the opening 7 matches, Maccabi, that has a two point lead over second place Hapoel Haifa, but also one more game to play due to their rescheduled match against Maccabi Haifa (January 10th) will aim to increase their lead at the top.
Boosted by the qualification to the Conference League Round of 16 on Thursday, Keane, made two changes to his line-up as Gabi Kanichowsky who picked an injury during the victory over Gent, was replaced by Dor Turgeman. Derrick Luckassen who was suspended on Thursday returned to the heart of defense at the expense of Nir Bitton and alongside Enric Saborit.
Avishai Cohen and Roy Revivo completed the back four infront of Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. Joris van Overeem in and Dor Peretz were the two players assigned for Maccabi’s engine room while the midfield trio was completed by Dan Biton. Felicio Milson was named on one wing with Turgeman on other while Eran Zahavi led the team out wearing the captain’s armband in a bid to add to his 19 goals in all competitions he scored so far this season.
First Half
In what has been almost a trademark of this encounter between the two sides, the match began in an untidy fashion as both teams opted for pace rather than accuracy with possession changing constantly. None of the goalkeepers were troubled in the opening stages, but it was Netanya’s Raz Carmi who was forced to pick the ball out of his bet first. Dan Biton carved Netanya’s defense open as he slipped the ball to Felicio Milson who chipped it over the advancing Carmi and put Maccabi infront on 19.
Three minutes later however, the visitors were back on level terms as Itamar Shviro beat Orlando Mosquera to level the score. Netanya kept forcing their untidy game as a minute before the half hour mark, they came close to score a second. Liran Rotmam, who was booked earlier on together with Biton, sent a flick that caught Mosquera by surprise but struck the post and was cleared. Robbie Keane was forced to make his first change in the 40th minute as Enric Saborit limped off with a groin injury and was replaced by Idan Nachmias.
A well drilled corner two minutes later so Milson cut the ball back for Zahavi while attempt of a left foot dipping shot was turned by Carmi over his crossbar after the ball threatened to loop the Netanya keeper.
Second Half
Keane made a second change after the interval as Gabi Kanichowsky replaced Dor Turgeman at the restart. A minute later, Roy Revivo tackled a Netanya opponent in the box but VAR intervened and called referee Snir Levy to the screen. After spending a few minutes looking at the incident, Netanya were awarded a penalty as Eitan Eliyahu spot kick was saved by Mosquera. The Panamanian pulled another stunning save to deny Bar Cohen’s powerful left foot drive a minute later.
Dor Peretz raced clear through but with only Carmi to beat blasted his shot over the crossbar. The referee didn’t need the assistance of technology to award Maccabi a penalty after a Milson cross struck the arm of a Netanya defender. Eran Zahavi sent Carmi the wrong way to restore Maccabi’s lead and score his 20th goal of the season. Kanichowsky came close as he flashed a shot which rolled to the wrong side of the post and wide with Zahavi repeating it minutes later.
In the 81st minute Eliyahu must have thought he made ammends for his penalty miss earlier on as he chested the ball down and volleyed home past past Mosquera but the referee assistant raised his flag and the goal was scratched off for offside.
Two minutes later a slick exchange of passes on the edge of Netanya’s area left Milson with a free shot but Carmi stretched himself to push the ball out. Milson bowed out on 85 and was replaced by Ofir Davidzada before Sheran Yeini replaced Avishai Cohen inside injury time.
Zahavi could have sealed the victory late in the game as he latched onto a loose ball following a save by Carmi but somehow with the goal at his mercy managed to miss the target.
