Preview:
Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at Green stadium in Nof Hagalil for the MD16 ONE ZERO League match against Bnei Reineh aiming to return to winning ways after not registering a league win during their last two matches. Up until last week, Reineh were the only side Maccabi didn’t beat in the league as Sharon Mimmer’s charges salvaged a 1-1 draw at Bloomfield in September. Reineh are currently 6th in the table with 20 points having won 5, drawn 5 and lost 5 matches scoring 18 and conceding 17 in `15 matches.
Injuries and suspensions saw Robbie Keane make several changes from the side that lost at Bloomfield last week with Roi Mishpati replacing Orlando Mosquera in goal for the first time since the 3-2 victory over Bnei Sakhnin last month. With Enric Saborit serving a one-match touchline ban, Idan Nachmias returned to partnet Derrick Luckassen at the heart of defense. Avishai Cohen on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive back-four. Keane’s engine-room remained unchanged with Joris van Overeem, Dor Peretz and Gabi Kanichowsky as the midfield trio. Osher Davida on one wing and Dor Turgeman on the opposite flank supplied the width with Eran Zahavi leading the line aiming to put an end to his goal drought that has left him on 22 goals in all competitions but without a goal in the past five outings.
On the bench alongside Mosquea, Keane named Dan Biton, Yonatan Cohen, Sheran Yeini, Ofir Davidzada, Matan Baltaxa, Saied Abu Farchi, Ido Shahar and Kiko Bondoso.
As a tribute to the 100 days in which the hostages are being held in Gaza, Maccabi wore shirts with the BRING THEM HOME slogan written on their chests.
First Half
After a slow start to the game in which neither side managed to create an opening, Dor Peretz required medical treatment on his ankle after a tackle by Mohamad Osman who was consequently booked in the 10th minute. Ten minutes later however, Bnei Reineh took the lead at the end of their first serious attack of the game. Abdallah Jaaber began the attack as he charged forward down the left flank, sent a square ball towards Roei Shukrani who found Freddy Vargas down the opposite flank. Vargas curled a dangerous cross that eluded by Roi Mishpati and his defense allowing Jaaber to ghost unmarked at the far post and head in the opener.
While Reineh sat deep defending their lead, Maccabi dominated the play but reached their first chance in the 36th minute. Joris van Overeem released Peretz who snapped a low drive from the edge of the area that flashed wide of Gad Amos’ post.
Two minutes before the interval Maccabi’s pressure on Reineh’s defense forced Roei Shukrani to make a mistake as Peretz latched on the loose ball, charged into the area and with the first shot on target blasted in the equalizer. A minute inside injury time Maccabi almost completed a comeback as Dor Turgeman’s cross into the area was flicked by Era Zahavi towards goal before a combination of Gad Amos and his post denied the veteran marksman.
Second Half
Robbie Keane made his first change after the interval as Dan Biton replaced Osher Davida for the restart. In the 52nd minute and an almost carbon copy of the first half Maccabi were dominant but Reineh looked ,ore dangerous. A cross reached Shlomi Azulay who sent a powerful volley that Mishpati saved for a corner. But from the resulting corner Reineh took the lead as the ball fell to Loui Halaf who slid a ball that rolled to beat Misphati and make it 2-1. Peretz almost restored parity on 57 as he rose at the far post to meet Roy Revivo’s flick from a Biton corner, but the midfielder’s free header bounced to the wrong side of the post.
Keane made two changes at the 67th minute as he replaced both of his full-backs with Avishai Cohen and Roy Revivo replaced by Kiko Bondoso and Ofir Davidzada. Gabi Kanichowsky stepped down to right back with Bondoso took a more central role. The Portuguese midfielder could have made an immediate impact as he broke into the area but from a dangerous position opted to try and pass to Zahavi instead of shooting before Reineh’s defense managed to clear.
Yonatan Cohen was introduced for van Overeem on 81 as Keane shuffled his side with Davidzada lining up alongside Idan Nachmias and Derrick Luckassen as a third centra defender.
Within three minutes Maccabi were back on level terms as Davidzada’s through ball was directed at Zahavi who let it run between his legs to release Peretz. The 28-year-old midfielder who found himself clear through with only Amos to beat, blasted home his 12th goal of the season in all competitions.
Turgeman came close to score Maccabi’s third as he flicked Yonatan Cohen’s corner but Amos reacted at the near post to save. Inside injury time, Saied Abu Farchi replaced Turgeman as Keane made his fifth and final substitution introducing the young forward to try and grab a late winner.
Abu Farchi had a half chance as he flashed a header wide of the post to prove that it wasn’t going to be Maccabi’s night. The final whistle extended the winless run to three league matches as all attention will now turn to the Tel Aviv derby at Bloomfield on Wednesday.
