The Yellow & Blue defeated Bnei Sakhnin thanks to a pair of Vidar Kjartansson second half goals to take the 3-points and the victory. Eliran Atar made his official return to Maccabi while Jose Rodriguez made his debut at the beginning of the second half. Jordi Cruyff and his squad will now turn their attention to Slavia Prague and Europa League action coming up on Thursday night on Matchday 1 in the Czech Republic.

Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI included Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic with a defensive quartet of Yuval Shpungin, Tal Ben Haim, Eitan Tibi and Avi Rikan. Captain Sheran Yeini anchored the midfield with Tino-Sven Susic and Dor Micha while Omer Atzili, Nick Blackman and Vidar Kjartansson provided the attack.

Available on the bench were keeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Egor Filipenka, Jose Rodriguez, Dor Peretz, Cristian Battocchio, Eliran Atar and Barak Itzhaki.

First Half
Sakhnin had the first chance in the ‘4 when Ali Osman threatened the goal while Maccabi came back 3 minutes later with an opportunity of their own as Rikan’s shot missed the target. In the ’13 Firas Mugrabi started a counter attack when he sent a deep ball to Idan Shemesh but the latter’s cross was cleared by the Yellow & Blue defense.

In the ’25 Muhamed Calibat had a chance in the box but his attempt went wide of the goal and 4 minutes later Susic tried to surprise the Sakhnin keeper when he unleashed a 40’ meter blast, but Kandil was able to make the save. Susic went for a long shot once again in the ’36 minute while Yeini tried the same in the ’40 to no avail. Shpungin found himself all alone but his opportunity went over the goal as the sides went into the break goalless.

Second Half
Cruyff made his first substitution of the contest when Yeini came out for Jose Rodriguez who made his Maccabi debut to begin the second half. Shemesh received a dangerous ball in the box but Ben Haim took care of the threat in the ’50 while two minutes later Micha gave Atzili a fantastic pass on the left side as he sent the ball into the box to Rikan who missed the goal. Khaled Khalaila and Ali Osman both received yellow cards in the ’54 and ’55 minutes respectively for the visitors.

With Maccabi looking for the first goal they found it thanks to the Icelandic striker Vidar Kjartansson who was able to take advantage of a Susic break into the box which mixed up the Sakhnin defense to give the hosts a 1:0 lead in the ’59. Three minutes later Mugrabi tried to draw Sakhnin even but his sharp attempt hit the post and went out. Blackman and Mugrabi each picked up yellow cards in the ’63 and ’64 minutes while in the ’69 Cristian Battocchio was introduced for Susic.

Kjratansson found the goal once again to give Maccabi an insurance marker in the ’72 thanks to a deep Micha pass good for a 2:0 advantage. Five minutes later the moment that many fans had waited for finally came true. Eliran Atar made his Maccabi return to a standing ovation.

In the ’80 Blackman streaked down the right wing and looked to add another goal but his attempt hit one of the defenders and went out for a corner. Five minutes later Jaber Ataa took a fine chance but Rajikovic made the save while Blackman took a Micha pass and was left alone in front of the Sakhnin goal but Kandil made the save as the contest ended with Maccabi earning 3-points and the 2:0 win.