Maccabi Tel Aviv continued their pre-season schedule as Zarko Lazetic’s side were held to a 0-0 draw by former Polish champions Raków Częstochowa.
Lazetic made three changes to his starting line-up from the side that beat Ruch Chorzow 5-0 earlier this week. Avishay Cohen was named in the starting line-up at right back while Idan Nachmias partnered Raz Shlomo at the heart of defense with Ofir Davidzada completing the defensive line at left-back. Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz were the midfield trio as the latter led the team out wearing the captain’s armband.
Dan Biton was left out of the squad this time allowing Bar Lin a start on the wing with Henry Addo on the opposite flank.
Saied Abu Farhi’s brace against Ruch earned him a place as he led the line with Yonas Malede waiting for his chance on the bench.
Abu Farhi could have opened the scoring early on after good work from Addo down the wing but the 18-year-old somehow managed to miscue his effort off target.
Joris van Overeem had a shot from the edge of the area which Rakow’s keeper Kacper Trelowski managed to turn for a corner in the 12th minute.
Dor Peretz came close as well with two close range headers following a pinpoint cross by Gabi Kanichowsky but his first effort went wide and his second was saved by Trelowski.
Bar Lin looked lively down the left flank but his cross on 35 was headed wide by Abu Farhi.
On the stroke of halftime, Addo, who kept keeping Rakow’s defender busy down the left had a shot himself which sailed over.
Lazetic made a couple of changes after the break as Matan Baltaxa replaced Idan Nachmias while Abu Farhi made for Eran Zahavi.
The second half saw Rakow play with the wind at their backs and were the dominant side.
In the 63rd minute Lazetic made eight changes to his side allowing most of his squad to receive some playing minutes.
Goalkeeper Ofe Melika pulled a stunning reflex save to prevent a Maccabi defender from heading the ball into his own net.
Lazetic made two more changes allowing Matan Haozez and Yonas Malede to feature for the final 10 minutes
With no team able to break the deadlock, the referee’s final whistle ended the match at the Miejski stadion in Busko-Zdorj at 0-0.
Maccabi Tel Aviv:
Roi Mishpati (Ofek Melika 63), Avishay Cohen, Idan Nachmias (Matan Baltaxa 46), Raz Shlomo (Adir Kordoba 63), Ofir Davidzada (Shahar Rosen 63), Joris van Overeem (Roy Nawi 46), Gabi Kanichowsky (Nadav Niddam 63), Dor Peretz (Ido Oli 63, Yonas Malede 80), Bar Lin (Ori Azu 63, Matan Hozez 80), Henry Addo (Yonatan Cohen 63), Saied Abu Farhi (Eran Zahavi 46).
