Following the 1-0 win over Armenian side Alashkert, Maccabi played their second friendly of the training camp against IMT Belgrade. IMT that finished ninth in the Serbian top division last season were the opposition for Kenny Miller’s side at the Serbian FA Training Centre in Stara Pazova.
IMT came close to draw first blood as Oriyomi Lebi forced Roi Mishpati to a double save in the 8th minute. Roy Revivo’s telling cross into the area on 14 was easily collected by IMT goalkeeper Ognjen Čančarević. Two minutes later the Armenian goalkeeper rushed out of his goal and blocked with his feet Revivo’s through ball which was directed at Saied Abu Farchi. The Serbian side looked dangerous going forward and five minutes after both teams returned to action following a water break, IMT took the lead. Lebi put pressure on Roi Mishpati, stripped the Maccabi keeper of the ball and from close range swept the ball home to put his side in front on 31.
Abu Farchi’s attempt to clip the ball over IMT’s defenders into the path of Dor Peretz were blocked before the ball reached Orel Baye whose shot cleared the crossbar.
Baye tested Čančarevi once again but the young winger’s shot on 43 was equaled by the keeper.
Maccabi continued to press forward in a bid to grab an equalizer as Sagiv Jehezkel broke down the right, crossed the ball into the box as it fell to Revivo whose effort was blocked. The Maccabi left back who last season scored the winning goal at the Cup Final and added19 assists, was set up by Osher Davida but saw his effort blocked as well by the IMT defenders.
Keny Miller made three changes at the interval with Shahar Rosen, Itamar Noy and Ilay Ben Simon coming on for Revivo, Belic and Davida.
Four minutes after the restart Ali Camara picked out Dor Peretz with a pinpoint pass over the IMT defense, but the midfielder’s shot was turned behind for a corner. Three minutes later Lebi almost caught Maccabi’s defense off guard as he picked up the ball and released a fierce drive only for Camara to recover in time and block the shot. Two minutes after the hour mark Abu Farchi was given another chance to score but his shot crept wide. Miller made several more changes with Jehezkel, Camara, Tyrese Asante Sissokho, Peretz and Abu Farchi all bowing out with Noam Ben Harosh, Itay Ben Hamo, Raz Shlomo, Anis Porat, Lotem Asres and Yonas Malede all coming on. Noam Schwartz was the final substitute to join on 75 as he replaced Baye. Six minutes after his introduction, Schwartz came close to level the score as Itamar Noy picked him out with a delicate chip before an IMT defender pulled him to the ground forcing his shot wide. Asres looked lively as he drove a counterattack for half the length of the pitch before being brought down. Ben Hamo rifled in the loose ball but the referee insisted on awarding Maccabi a free kick which was blocked. Malede also came close as he was put through by Schwartz only for his effort to hit the side netting.
IMT managed to hang on for the remainder of the match to claim a 1-0 victory.
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Roi Mishpati, Sagiv Jehezkel (Noam Ben Harosh 62), Ali Camara (Itay Ben Hamo 62), Tyrese Asante (Raz Shlomo 62), Roy Revivo (Shahar Rozen 46), Issouf Sissokho (Anis Porat 62), Kristijan Belic (Itamar Noy 46), Dor Peretz (Lotem Asres 62), Orel Baye (Noam Schwartz 75), Osher Davida (Ilay Ben Simon 46), Said Abu Farchi (Yonas Malede 62).
