Two weeks after the Toto Cup Final victory, Maccabi arrived at the Sammy Ofer stadium for another encounter against Maccabi Haifa this time for the MD20 league match. Robbie Keane’s side that suffered their only defeat in the league at home to Haifa last month, have a four-point lead at the top of the table with 46 from 19 matches having won 14 and drawn 4. Haifa on the other hand suffered the second league defeat away to Be’ersheva last week and are second in the table with 42 having won 13, drawn four and losing twice. The two teams are neck and neck in terms of goals as well with both sides conceded 15 so far. In addition to the home advantage, Haifa scored three goals more (43) while Maccabi scored (40) a fact which could be changed at the end of the contest.
After resting several players against Hapoel Jerusalem last week, Keane made a few changes to his side. New signing Raz Shlomo was handed his Maccabi debut as the 24-year-old partnered Derrick Luckassen and Matan Baltaxa as the three central defenders. Avishai Cohen at right wing-back and Roy Revivo at the opposite left flank, completed Maccabi’s defensive line in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Keane returned to the midfield trio that served him so well this season with Joris van Overeem joined by Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz. Dor Turgeman who scored against Hapoel Jerusalem partnered Eran Zahavi who returned to the side after a much-needed rest to lead the line and the team out with the captain’s armband.
On the bench, Keane named another new signing Yonas Malede, as the 24 year-old forward was amongst the substitutes together with Dan Biton, Yonatan Cohen, Ofir Davidzada, Ido Shahar, Kiko Bondoso, Eden Kartzev and Osher Davida.
First Half
Shortly after kickoff, a pyrotechnics display by both sets of fans lit the stadium up but the match couldn’t have started any worse for Maccabi as they found themselves a goal behind after three minutes. Sean Goldberg rose high to meet Kenny Saief’s free kick with a powerful header forcing Roi Mishpati to make a reflex save. But Lorenzo Simic reacted first and flicked the rebound into the roof of the net to put the hosts in front. Four minutes later Dor Peretz found Roy Revivo unmarked in the penalty area before his square ball across the face of goal was directed at Eran Zahavi and Dor Turgeman. But Saief managed to stick his boot and clear from the goalmouth before either forward could reach the cross and tap it home.
Haifa almost doubled their lead in the 15th minute as a long Shareef Keouf clearance eluded Matan Baltaxa allowing Anan Khalaili a shot on goal. Mishpati charged off his line to save before Derrick Luckassen cleared Gadi Kinda’s attempt to fire in the rebound.
Seven minutes later however, a mix-up in Maccabi’s defense saw Dor Peretz put Luckassen under pressure inside the box before Kinda stole the ball and fed Din David. The Haifa forward managed to round Mishpati before burying the ball in the net for Haifa’s second. Mishpati was the busier keeper of the two as he was forced to full stretch on 25 to keep out Anan Khalaili’s powerful drive. A Revivo free kick three minutes after the half hour mark reached Raz Shlomo inside the penalty area, but his cross landed on the roof of Keouf’s net. Maccabi dominated possession A minute later Zahavi released Turgeman with a clever flick, but Goldberg timed his tackle to perfection and denied the young forward from snapping a shot.
Zahavi had a shot on goal in the 37th minute but his left foot effort from the edge of the area rolled to the wrong side of Keouf’s post. Maccabi continued to press forward as Peretz blasted a right foot shot over the crossbar a minute later. On the stroke of halftime Gabi Kanichowsky fed Turgeman who shrugged off two defenders and pulled the trigger only for his shot to crash against the side netting.
Zahavi had a shot on goal in the 37th minute but his left foot effort from the edge of the area rolled to the wrong side of Keouf’s post. Maccabi continued to press forward as Peretz blasted a right foot shot over the crossbar a minute later. On the stroke of halftime Gabi Kanichowsky fed Turgeman who shrugged off two defenders and pulled the trigger only for his shot to crash against the side netting.
Inside injury time Haifa had the ball in the back of Mishpati’s net for the third time after Khalaili was sent running down the left flank. Khalaili’s cut back was side footed in by David but luckily for Maccabi the goal was disallowed for offside as the halftime whistle sent Keane’s charges into the dressing room trailing by only two goals.
Second Half
With no changes at the restart, Keane made his first substitution just before the hour mark as he shuffled his side by introducing Dan Biton and Osher Davida for Joris van Overeem and Avishai Cohen. Within two minutes of his introduction Biton carried the ball for a counter-attack before being fouled by Saief who was consequently booked. Biton curled the free kick into the box, but Turgeman and the rest of the Maccabi players could not get a touch allowing Keouf to catch the ball on his line.
Matan Balta saw yellow for a tackle on Saief on 75 while three minutes later Maccabi reached their best chance to cut the deficit. Davida charged down the right and picked Turgeman in the middle of the area, but the young forward dragged his shot wide. Keane made a third change as Yonas Malede replaced Baltaxa to make his Maccabi debut for the final 9 minutes. Davida came close as he tried his luck with a curling left foot shot on 88 but Keouf managed to push the dangerous effort out. Despite six minutes of added time Maccabi couldn’t find an opening as the final whistle confirmed it wasn’t going to be their day.
