Preview
Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD30 WINNER League match against third place Maccabi Haifa with a two-point-lead at the top of the table. After 29 league matches, Zarko Lazetic’s side scored the same number of goals as their number of points (66) and conceded 29 goals.
Maccabi’s 20th victory of the season, a convincing 4-1 win over Maccabi Netanya, led Lazetic to minimal changes to his starting line-up. Stav Lemkin replaced the suspended Nemanja Stojic to partner Raz Shlomo as the two central defenders in front of goalkeeper Simon Sluga. Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s back four. Issouf Sissokho kept his place as the anchorman with Joris van Overeem and Dor Peretz completing Maccabi’s midfield trio. Osher Davida who scored a goal and set up one more against Netanya was named on one wing with Weslley Patati on the opposite flank. Eran Zahavi who scored a brace against Netanya kept his place upfront as the 37-year-old marksman who scored six goals this season is seeking to extend his tally.
On the bench Lazetic named, goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Avishay Cohen, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Gabi Kanichowsky, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Hishm Layous and Ido Shahar.
Prior to kickoff Maccabi held a ceremony to mark the contribution of goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum who made 110 appearances in 8 seasons at the club winning 11 titles (3 championships, 1 State Cup, 4 Toto Cups and 3 Super Cups).
First Half
Boosted by an entire stadium filled with only Maccabi due to the punishment Maccabi Haifa were carrying the hosts began the match with a spring in their step. With less than two minutes on the clock Osher Davida was fouled by a Haifa defender as Weslley Patati stepped up to whip in a cross which flashed just wide of the post. A Patati free kick in the 11th minute from the opposite flank saw Eran Zahavi rise above Haifa’s defense but guide his header over the crossbar. Maccabi continued to dominate as two minutes later Dor Peretz sent a square ball across the face of goal but Joris van Overeem couldn’t connect.
Davida tried his luck with a long range left foot effort which narrowly missed the top corner on 23. Roy Revivo carved Haifa’s defense with a perfect pass to release Zahavi but the veteran striker sent his shot wide of the post. Within a minute Peretz teed up Davida but his left foot effort was directed straight at Shareef Keouf. In the 27th minute Maccabi struck the woodwork twice as Revivo’s header bounced off the post before Issouf Sissokho sent a dipping cross which beat Keouf but came off the crossbar.
A slick Maccabi attack ripped through Haifa’s defense on the brink of halftime as Van Overeem released Peretz whose shot was equalled by Keouf. Seconds later Davida fired a shot from inside the area that once again sailed agonisingly wide.
Second Half
Six minutes after the restart the deadlock was finally broken as Zahavi picked the ball near the corner of the area before burying a powerful right foot shot in the bottom far corner. In the 59th minute Bloomfield was silenced as Xander Severina was given the time and space in Maccabi’s penalty area before firing a deadly left foot shot that beat Simon Sluga to level the score.
Lazetic made a triple substitution in the 69th minute as Idan Nachmias replaced Stav Lemkin, Gabi Kanichowsky came on for Joris van Overeem while Dor Turgeman stepped in for Davida. Kanichowsky could have scored with his first touch as he was released by Revivo but a last gasp tackle by Abdoulaye Seck denied the diminutive midfielder before he could pull the trigger. In the 77th minute a spectacular Raz Shlomo goalmouth clearance denied Din David what seemed like a definite Haifa goal.
