Newly crowned Champions Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the final match of the 2023/24 campaign as they host Maccabi Bnei Reineh on MD36 of the ONE ZERO League.
Robbie Keane, who in his first season as Head Coach guided Maccabi to the 25th championship in the Club’s history was seeking to end the season on a high and in front of a full stadium record the 26th league victory of the season.
Keane, whose side suffered only 3 defeats all season and 7 draws, two of which against Bnei Reineh sent out his strongest side. Enric Saborit, who announced his departure after six seasons at Maccabi made his 249th appearance for Maccabi as the 32-year old Spanish defender started at the heart of defense. Saborit was partnered by Raz Shlomo, with Ido Shahar and Roy Revivo completing Maccabi’s back four in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Eden Karzev, Dor Peretz and Gabi Kanichowsky were named by Keane in the midfield engine room. Dan Biton and Felicio Milson supplied the width on both wings with Eran Zahavi leading the line upfront seeking to add to his tally as well as the top goal-scorer’s award.
On the bench Keane named Daniel Tenenbaum, Avishay Cohen, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Yonatan Cohen, Joris van Overeem, Yonas Malede, Matan Baltaxa and Osher Davida.
First Half
Similar to the midweek victory away to Hapoel Haifa, Maccabi began the first half at a slow pace. In the 14th minute Dan Biton broke into the box and sent a square ball which was blocked by the stretched arm of a Bnei Reineh defender. But Maccabi’s claims for a penalty were waived by referee Sapir Berman with VAR also chosing not to intervene.
Five minutes after the half hour mark Maccabi came close to open the score spectacularly as Roy Revivo flicked a header towards Eran Zahavi whose overhead kick was saved by Reineh’s keeper Omar Nahfaoui.
In the 39th minute the deadlock was finally broken as Felicio Milson carved Reineh’s defense open with a pinpoint pass to Gabi Kanichowsky who slid the ball passed the advancing keeper.
Dor Peretz could have doubled Maccabi’s lead within two minutes but his effort was blocked on the goalline by the stretched foot of Reineh’s keeper. VAR did intervene inside injury time as Mor Barami stamped on Milson inside the area and awarded Maccabi a penalty.
Zahavi stepped up blasted his spot kick and buried his shot in the bottom corner to send Maccabi with a 2-0 lead with his 20th league goal of the season.
Second Half
Keane made a single change after the break as Joris van Overeem came on for Eden Karzev at the restart. In the 53rd minute Raz Shlomo stripped a Reineh opponent and released a counter attack which left Dan Biton with only Nahfaoui to beat but Reineh’s keeper dived at his feet and denied Maccabi a third goal.
In the 61st minute Kanichowsky received a standing ovation from the 21,145 fans as the 26-year-old midfielder was replaced by Osher Davida.
Keane made a double substitution in the 72nd minute as Roy Revivo and Ido Shahar received their standing ovation with Matan Baltaxa and Dor Turgeman replacing the duo with Maccabi switching to a a formation of two forwards. All of Bloomfield was on its feet in the 79th minute as Enric Saborit bowed out for the final time as a Maccabi player with Idan Nachmias coming on to replace the Spaniard.
Milson toyed with Reineh’s defense in tbe 85th minute with Maccabi’s attack trying to assist Zahavi score, but the veteran marksman had his effort blocked. Reineh was reduced to 10 men after VAR intervened leading to the sending off of Tarel Bushnak on 87. The fourth official signalled 6 minutes of added time before Baltaxa rose above Reineh’s defense to head a Biton free kick over.
Deep inside injury time Zahavi came close as he attempted a back heel flick from a Turgeman cross but the ball sailed wide. The final whistle gave the signal to the celebrations as the team prepared for the renewed tradition of the lap of honour.
