Maccabi arrived at the Netanya stadium for the Toto Cup Final match against Maccabi Haifa with one clear intention – winning the first trophy on offer this season for the 8th time in the club’s history. A fortnight after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Haifa at Bloomfield in the league and 12 days before playing the corresponding league fixture at Haifa – both teams squared-up for the secondary Cup competition.
Robbie Keane who will aim to guide his charges to victory and win his first trophy at Maccabi and as a coach, made several changes from the side that was held to a 0-0 draw against Hapoel Petah Tikva.
Derrick Luckassen returned to the heart of defense at the expense of Idan Nachmias who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Dutch defender lined-up alongside Enric Saborit and Matan Baltaxa with Avishai Cohen completing the defensive line in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Joris van Overeem was named as the midfield anchorman while Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz completed the midfield engine room trio. An ankle injury to Dor Turgeman forced the young forward out of the squad making way for Dan Biton who was named on one wing with Roy Revivo on the opposite flank. Upfront, Keane named Eran Zahavi as the veteran marksman led the line and the team out wearing the captain’s armband.
On the bench, Keane named Orando Mosquera, Yonatan Cohen, Sheran Yeini, Eyal Golasa, Ofir Davidzada, Ido Shahar, Kiko Bondoso, Eden Kartzev and Osher Davida.
First Half
Maccabi created the first chance of the game as early as the fourth minute as Dan Biton blasted a shot which proved too powerful for Shareef Keouf to catch. Dor Peretz punced on the loose ball but was let down by his touch as he drilled the ball over the crossbar. Maccabi dominated the play but Haifa came close in the 10th minute as a cross reached Pierre Cornud at the far post forcing Roi Mishpati to make his first save.
Eight minutes later Joris van Overeem released Peretz for a counter attack with a clever pass before a cross to the far post saw Roy Revivo slide in but Keouf managed to dive at his feet and clear for a corner. Revivo continued to look lively as he rose inside the area to head the resulting corner towards goal but once again Haifa’s keeper managed to save.
Just before the half hour mark Anan Khalili picked the ball inside Maccabi’s area and charged forward before inleasing a powerful drive that was parried away by Mishpati before the danger was cleared.
With no goals scored before the halftime whistle was sounded, the two teams went regroup and prepare for the second period.
Second Half
Robbie Keane and Haifa counterpart Mesay Dego didn’t make any change at the restart which saw Maccabi start on a high note. Revivo charged down the left flank and into the Haifa penalty area before he was brought down by a defender but referee Aviad Sholoah decided not to blow his whistle.
Mishpati produced a save on 61 as he reacted well to deny Din David while three minutes later Keane made his first change as Ofir Davidzada came on for Matan Baltaxa. Kiko Bondoso was introduced for Dan Biton as Keane made his second substitution in the 72nd minute.
A pinpoint Revivo pass over Haifa’s defense in the 78th minute released Eran Zahavi for his first clear chance but the veteran Maccabi marksman narrowly missed the target as he sent his volley against the side netting. Keane made another double change as Revivo and Van Overeem were replaced in the 80th minute by Osher Davida and Eden Kartzev for his renewed debut.
A Haifa defender almost scored into his own goal in the 87th before the resulting corner in bizarre circumstances just seemed to bounce at the goalmouth refusing to go in.
The fourth official indicated six minutes of added time, but with no goals scored both teams were sent to settle the tie from the penalty spot.
Penalty shoots:
Zahavi scored the first spot kick before Mishpati made a save from Tjaronn Cherry. Eden Kartzev beat Keouf and Mishpati kept his goal sealed as he kept out Frantzdy Pierrot. Davida kept his calm and despite slipping sent Keouf the wrong way to give Maccabi a three goal lead. Anan Khalaili cut the deficit to make it 3-1 before Dor Peretz could have sealed it but missed his shot wide of the target.
Cornud blasted his spot kick into the top corner to make it 3-2 before Derrick Luckassen won the contest with a perfect spot kick.
