The title defense is underway as Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visited Bnei Sakhnin. The Club’s U19 side visited the Galilee as Head Coach started 8 veterans and 3 new players.
Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glazer, Tomer Machluf, Tamir Glazer, Mufleh Shalata, Yoav Hofmayster, Rave Assayag, Omer Barami, Eyal Hen.
First Half
The first quarter hour saw both clubs feeling each other out as the side’s didn’t create many chances with play taking place primarily in the midfield. In the 16’ Sakhnin had the first opportunity of the contest as Muhammed Kahlayla’s shot from the left of the box hit the outside netting. Four minutes later Chilaka began the Maccabi attack from the right side, sent the ball to Barami who crossed it to Assayag but the latter couldn’t get to it in time as the ball went out.
Maccabi then took control of the contest as Assayag had a header chance that hit the post while just before the break, Mahluf sent a ball to Tamir Glazer who tipped the ball to Assayag but his shot went out as the half ended deadlocked at 0:0.
Second Half
Assayag stole the ball in the middle of the pitch in the 48’ as he sent the ball to Barami who passed it to Hen on the left side but the opposing keeper blocked the attempt. As Maccabi continued to press, the Yellow & Blue finally found the back of the goal. Tamir Glazer sent the ball to Shalata who handed it off to Barami who put it behind the keeper for a 1:0 lead.
Sakhnin then pressed to draw even but Adam Suad’s 56’ opportunity from long distance went over the goal, however a 61’ free kick was headed in by Muhammed Osman to even up the contest at 1:1. The host’s continued to pressure the Yellow & Blue goal but a Peretz save and a Shtrozberg clearance kept the score as is. In the 72’ Sakhnin again threatened Peretz’s goal but Osman’s attempt went over the goal.
In the 78’ Maccabi almost took the lead but Tal Yagudayev who had come on as a substitute hit the post. However in the 85’ Bar Cohen who also was introduced earlier into the match found the back of the goal with the winner to take the 2:1 opening day victory and the three points.
