An exchange of passes between Kervin Andrade and Dor Peretz in the opening minute of the game set up Itamar Noy who swept the ball home in the opening minute.
On the stroke of halftime, Yonas Malede who came on for Kervin Andrade in the 33rd minute was sent through by Noam Ben Harush. Malede charged into the area and was tripped by goalkeeper Nadav Zamir before referee Gal Levy awarded a penalty. Saied Abu Farchi stepped up and slotted the penalty past Zamir to double Maccabi’s lead.
In the absence of most of the foreign contingent who are currently training in Cyprus, assistant coach Avi Rikan made several changes at the interval.
Roi Mishpati replaced Ofek Melika, Ben Lederman came on for Issouf Sissokho while Ido Shahar replaced Dor Peretz.
Hapoel Jerusalem cut the deficit as Noy lost possession on the edge of the area before Ohad Almagor fired past Mishpati to cut the deficit.
Abu Farchi came close to score Maccabi’s third and double his tally as he headed a Malede cross against the post.
Several youth team players were introduced in the closing stages and gained important experience at senior level.
Maccabi: Ofek Melika(Roi Mishpati 46), Noam Ben Harush (Yoav Junio 71), Itay Ben Hemo (Noam Levy 71), Idan Weinberg, Roy Revivo (Yehonatan Kotzer 56), Issouf Sissokho (Ben Lederman 46), Dor Peretz (Ido Shahar 46), Itamar Noy (Ilay Ben Simon 64), Kervin Andrade (Yonas Malede 33, Itai Zafrani 83), Osher Davida (Sagiv Jehezkel 55), Saied Abu Farchi (Elad Madmon 64).
