Preview
On the back of two victories in their opening Playoff matches, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD29 WINNER League encounter against Hapoel Be’ersheva. Just over a fortnight since the 3-1 defeat to Be’ersheva on the final match of the regular season, and having lost the previous two meeting to them in the Super Cup and at Turner earlier this season – Maccabi will try and record a first victory.
The fact Be’ersheva dropped a two-goal lead to second place Beitar Jerusalem when both teams met at the weekend, saw Maccabi move within six points from second place and eight from the summit. Ronny Deila, will still face Be’ersheva for the corresponding fixture at Turner on MD35 and then at the State Cup Final on May 26th at Teddy stadium. But if he wishes to keep Maccabi’s chances of defending the league title he must record a first victory over one of the two sides ranked above Maccabi in the table. While Deila will be forced to do so without two of his regular starters Roy Revivo and Tyrese Asante as the two influential full-backs are both serving a one-match touchline ban following the yellow cards they picked during the 3-1 victory away to Maccabi Haifa. Heitor dos Santos was named by Deila as the replacement of Asante on the right while Sagiv Jehezkel was named on the opposite flank at left back. Ali Camara also returned to the side as the Guinean central defender recovered from injury and partnered Raz Shlomo as the at the heart of defense and infront of goalkeeper Ofek Melika.
As opposed to the absentees in defense, Deila welcomed back from suspension Dor Peretz as the 30-year-old captain will lead the team out with the captain’s armband. Maccabi’s top goal-scorer in the league (13), joins Ido Shahar who trails Peretz but one goal in the league but also scored 15 in all comoetitions. Issouf Sissokho completes Maccabi’s midfield trio as the Malian 24-year-old slotted into the anchorman role. On the wings Deila named Emir Sahiti and Helio Varela with Saied Abu Farchi leading the attack aiming to build on the spectacular goal he scored at Haifa to add to his tally of 11 goals in all competitions this season.
On the bench Deila also welcomed Osher Davida back from suspension as the winger will wait for his chance alongside Roi Mishpati, Kervin Andrade, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Noam Ben Harush, Ben Lederman, Itamar Noy and Itai Ben Hamo.
First Half
Bloomfield stadium was packed to capacity for the top of the table clash as a sea of yellow and blue surrounded 3/4 of the stadium while the visitors had their north section also filled with red fans. Beersheva took the early initiative but it was Maccabi that came close to draw first blood. Dor Peretz slipped the ball for Emir Sahiti who twisted and turned before whipping in a cross for Ido Shahar who couldn’t connect.
The visitors’ tried playing their game, pressing Maccabi in their own half while Deila’s side looked dangerous going forward. Helio Varela on the left and Emir Sahiti on the right kept causing Be’ersheva’s defenders all sorts of problems with the bursting pace. In the 16th minute a counter attack saw Saied Abu Facrchi charge down the left but his square ball was cleared away by Djibril Diop. Sagiv Jehezkel eas the first player to be booked by Sapir Berman and Issouf Sissokho was also shown the yellow card shortly after. Abu Farchi almost exploited a mistake in Be’ersheva’s defense but Niv Eliasi charged off his line to collect.
Or Blorian was booked at Be’ersheva for a challenge on Peretz on the half hour mark before Sahiti tried a dipping shot from outside the box which was directed straight at Eliasi. Kings Kangwa almost managed to find an opening but Heitor dos Santos recovered on time and hooked the ball away. Guy Mizrahi found Zahi Ahmad unmarked on 38 but his attempt to curle the ball and beat Ofek Melika missed the target. While the tempo was frantic none of the teams could find an opening as Berman’s halftime whistle sent the two sets of players to regroup in the dressing rooms and prepare for the second period.
Second Half
No changes were made after the interval as the second half began just like first one. None of the teams created any clear chance before Be’ersheva made a triple change with Shai Elias, Mohamad Abu Rumi and Javon East made way for Eliel Peretz, Amir Ganah and Igor Zlatanovic on 62. Deila reacted with two changes of his own as Noam Ben Harush and Elad Madmon came on for dos Santos and Abu Farchi a minute later. Ben Harush stepped into the left side of defense while Jehezkel pushed across to right back. In the 72nd minute Deila made another double change as Jehezkel and Shahar were replaced by Itamar Noy and Osher Davida. Within a minute Madmon burst forward and charged towards the area before unleashing a shot which narrowly missed the target. Melika pulled two stunning saves as he first denied Ganah before punching away a Kangwa thunderbolt.
Melika was at full stretch once again on 83 as he turned Ganah’s powerful shot for a corner. Maccabi pressed forward with the support of the fans who could feel Be’ersheva are under the cosh as Eliasi intercepted a Varela cross in the 85th minute before Davida could make contact. Two minutes later Madmon dispossessed Djibril Diop and charged forward but his initial effort was saved by Eliasi before Noy miscued the rebound wide. Deila introduced Kervin Andrade for Sissokho in an attempt to grab a late winner before the diminutive Venezuelan midfielder almost had an immediate impact as his dangerous ball across the face of goal was missed by Davida. Inside added time Ali Camara was booked a fact which would see him serve a one match suspension against Beitar Jerusalem on Saturday.
In the last minute of added time the match ended in the most dramatic way possible. Varela received the ball inside the box and fired a shot which Eliasi managed to save but Peretz pounced on the rebound and volleyed home to seal the victory at the death.
