Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the quarter finals of the Israel State Cup with 4:0 victory over Hapoel Acre. First half goals by Dor Micha, Yonatan Cohen and Eliran Atar and a second half strike by Cohen to complete his brace helped the Yellow & Blue to the win.
Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included Predrag Rajkovic in goal, Maor Kandil, Jair Amador, Eitan Tibi, Ophir Davidzada, Ruslan Barsky, Avi Rikan, Dor Micha (C), Yonatan Cohen, Eliran Atar, Chico Ofoedu.
Available on the bench: Daniel Tenenbaum, Enric Saborit, Omer Atzili, Sheran Yeini, Aron Schoenfeld, Dor Peretz, Eden Kartzev.
First Half
Atar had Maccabi’s first chance in the 5’ but his 20 meter free kick missed the target and five minutes later Cohen’s cross to Kandil was headed over the goal. The Yellow & Blue broke the deadlock in the 12’ when Davidzada who was making his return after being out with an injury crossed the ball from the left side to Micha in the box as #15 put it home for a 1:0 advantage.
Chico and Atar’s 15’ give and go resulted in the latter putting the ball over the bar while Cohen’s through ball to Ofoedu in the 19’ was caught by the Acre keeper Antman. Tibi’s 29’ terrific header off a corner was also saved by Antman but Cohen’s header thee minutes later off a beauty of a cross by Micha found its way behind the keeper for a 2:0 advantage.
In the 38’ Micha again was active as he sent Chico the ball but the striker put it off of the bar as the Yellow & Blue nearly increased their lead, which they would do in the 43’ when Atar’s free kick made its way into the goal for a 3:0 lead after 45 minutes of action.
Second Half
Eden Kartzev came on to begin the half and sent his first touch over the goal in the 46’ while he left the ball for Barsky a minute later but Antman parried it away to safety. Rikan and Atar teamed up to give Micha the ball in the 54’ but his chance went over the goal.
Omer Atzili came on for Micha in the 62’ minute as Coach Ivic made his second substitution of the contest while Atar tried his luck from long distance two minutes later but missed the target. Rajkovic was tested twice in the 75’ by Eliyahu but was up to the task as Dor Peretz entered the match in 77’ replacing Davidzada.
Cohen completed a brace in the 79’ when he took a Rikan misfire, turned in the box and slammed the ball home for a 4:0 advantage. Rikan’s 82’ blast was just tipped over the bar by Antman while Rajkovic made a diving stop in the 85’ to keep the clean sheet intact for the 4:0 win.
