After an almost two months break reigning Champions Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the opening match of the 2024/25 campaign – the Super Cup against State Cup holders Maccabi Petah Tikva.
Newly appointed Head coach, Zarko Lazetic, was given a chance to experience the Maccabi fans from close hand at a first competitive match with the first trophy of the season on offer.
Lazetic didn’t make too many changes from the side that played in the pre-season training camp in Poland with Raz Shlomo and Matan Baltaxa as the two central defenders lining up in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Idan Nachmias on the right and Ofir Davidzada on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive back-four. Just like last season Maccabi’s engine room was kept in tact with Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz as the midfield trio. Henry Addo and Dan Biton were the two wingers on both flanks with Eran Zahavi leading the line as well as the team out with the captain’s armband.
On the bench, Maccabi’s two new signings were Ofek Melika in goal and Tyrese Asante were named by Lazetic amongst the substitutes. Avishay Cohen, Matan Hozez, Nadav Niddam, Saied Abu Farchi, Shahar Rosen, Roy Nawi and Bar Lin also waited for their chance to make an impact.
The hot and humid weather conditions at Bloomfield stadium saw both teams start the match at a relatively slow pace. It took Maccabi 10 minutes to create the first chance as Dor Peretz’s square ball into the path of Eran Zahavi whose shot on target forced Petah Tikva’s keeper Marco Wolff to a double save. A minute later Ofir Davidzada sent a square ball across the face of goal with Peretz failing to connect. Maccabi’s blitz continued as the deadlock was finally broken in the 15th minute. Gabi Kanichowsky who looked lively right from the start slid the ball to Zahavi whose clinical right foot shot gave Wolff no chance to put Maccabi in front and open his account for the 2024/25 season.
In the 37th minute Petah Tikva’s striker Luka Stor charged from the halfway line but Roi Mishpati races off his goalline to block the effort and keep his goal sealed.
Inside injury time Biton dribbled into the box before cutting the ball back for Joris van Overeem whose shot from the edge of the area bobbled in front of Wolff who managed to clear before the halftime whistle sent both teams to recover in the dressing rooms.
With no changes after the break, Maccabi came close to double the score a minute after the restart as Raz Shlomo launched a long ball forward. Peretz timed his run to perfection and caught Petah Tikva’s defense flat before skipping past the advancing Wolff. But from a tight angle Peretz miscued his effort which crashed against the side netting.
Right on the hour mark, Lazetic, made a triple change as new signing Tyrese Asanate was handed his debut appearance replacing Idan Nachmias, Avishay Cohen replacing Biton while Henry Addo bowed out and was replaced by Matan Hozez. Lazetic’s substitutes made an immediate as a minute after his introduction Cohen raced for the entire length of the pitch but from almost point blank range couldn’t get a shot on target. A minute later the ball fell to Hozez inside the penalty box who pulled the trigger but saw his shot rocket into the stand.
In the 74th minute a spectacular move involving Zahavi, Hozez and Peretz carved Petah Tikva’s defence open but once again the 29-year-old midfielder couldn’t connect and the chance was wasted.
Lazetic made his fourth substitution in the 81st minute as Zahavi bowed out to a standing ovation and was replaced by Said Abu Farchi for the closing stages.
In the 84th minute Kanichowsky left two Petah Tikva players behind him as he broke into the box and cut the ball back for Peretz who flashed his snap shot agonisingly wide.
Inside injury time Lazetic made his fifth and final substitution introducing Nadav Niddam for Kanichowsky who came off to a standing ovation of his own.
Seconds later Niddam released Hozez with a perfectly timed pass before the winger fired home to double the score and sea the tie and the victory.
