Maccabi returned to league action after a week-long-break which saw Robbie Keane’s charges win the Toto Cup Final and advance to the State Cup Round of 16. While Maccabi are top of the table with a one point gap from next week’s opponents Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Jerusalem arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the MD19 ONE ZERO League match in 11th place. After resting several players during the Cup victory over Hadera, injuries and suspensions forced Maccabi’s coach to make more changes against Jerusalem as well.
Enric Saborit’s ankle injury and the one match touchline ban Roy Revivo was serving saw Matan Baltaxa partner Derrick Luckassen as the two central defenders in front of Roi Mishpati. Avishai Cohen was named by Keane as the right full-back while Ofir Davidzada completed Maccabi’s back-four on the opposite left flank. Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz who were all rested against Hadera returned to the midfield with Peretz wearing the captain’s armband. Kiko Bondoso who started against Hadera kept his place as did Dan Biton while Dor Turgeman led the attack allowing Eran Zahavi much needed rest on the bench.
Alongside Zahavi, Keane, named Daniel Tenenbaum, Yonatan Cohen, Sheran Yeini, Eyal Golasa, Saied Abu Farhi, Ido Shahar, Eden Kartzev and Osher Davida.
Prior to kickoff Maccabi held two ceremonies, the first for Shahar Piven honoring his contribution to the club that included 7 trophies and 118 appearances between 2018-2023. The second ceremony in memory of former player Aharon Aharonskind who made 81 appearances for Maccabi during the 50’s and 60’s and died earlier this month at the age of 83.
First Half
Maccabi could have had a perfect start to the game as a Dan Biton corner inside the opening minute threatened to cause Jerusalem all sorts of problems but Adebayo Adeleye managed to push the ball out. A mistake by Derrick Luckassen at the opposite end gifted Jelle Duin a chance on but his effort struck the side netting. What was an initial warning sign replicated itself within minutes as the visitors took an early lead. A mix-up between Luckassen and Avishai Cohen near the centre circle allowed Duin a clear run on goal before he lifted the ball over the advancing Roi Mishpati to make it 1-0.
Maccabi enjoyed the majority of the posession yet couldn’t break through Jerusalem’s defence as Joris van Overeem was booked by referee David Fuxman for a foul on Aynao Prada. A minute later however Maccabi were back on level terms at the end of spectacular team effort. Kiko Bondoso carried the ball down the left before releasing Ofir Davizada whose square ball was flicked home by Dor Turgeman. Bondoso was booked two minutes later for stopping a Matan Hozez counter attack while the diminutive Portuguese winger could have completed the comeback in the 36th minute. A Luckassen square ball caught Jerusalem’s defence flat to reach Bondoso unmarked at the far post but his effort was denied by Adeleye.
On the stroke of halftime Davidzada almost scored a rare goal as he was put through by Biton but from 5 meters out on his weak right foot, miscued his shot wide.
Second Half
Dor Peretz came close to put Maccabi in front in the opening minute but his dipping long range effort shaved the top of the crossbar. Maccabi finally took the lead in the 51st minute as Jerusalem’s defence cleared a Biton attempt of a cross into the path of Gabi Kanichowsky whose half volley beat Zamir to make it 2-1.
Turgeman could have increased Maccabi’s lead and double his tally on the night a minute later as he found himself with only the keeper to beat, but Zamir pulled a double save and kept the ball out. Turgeman was on fire as his shot from the edge of the area in the 56th minute was turned by Zamir for a corner that was cleared.
Keane shuffled his side as he made a triple substitution in the 73rd minute as Eden Kartzev replaced van Overeem, Osher Davida came on for Bondoso while Eran Zahavi was introduced for Turgeman.
An Osher Davida counter attack in the 80th minute saw the winger race from the halfway line but was let down by his square ball that was directed at Biton but was cleared. Peretz came off to a standing ovation on 86 as Keane made his fourth change by introducing Eyal Golasa for the closing stages. Seconds after the fourth official indicated five minutes of added time, Keane made his fifth and final change as Yonatan Cohen replaced Biton.
Zahavi could have scored another at the death but the veteran marksman sent his shot over the crossbar before Fuxman ended the match with the full time whistle.
