Hapoel Beersheba spoiled Maccabi Tel Aviv’s perfect season away record on Wednesday in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Toto Turner Stadium.
A fast-paced match improved significantly in the second half with Maccabi retaining the bulk of possession and the better chances but Vladimir Ivic’s players were undone by a swift counterattack that brought Beersheba level for a share of the points.
A fast-paced first half was generally untidy as both teams managed two shots on goal, although they were not dangerous enough to force the goalkeepers into evasive action.
The second period was far more organised and Chico Ofoedu finally put Maccabi ahead in the 52nd minute. A well worked goal that involved four players ended with Yonatan Cohen in the box with his back to the goal setting up the Ofoedu’s scoring shot from seven metres out.
Maccabi then suddenly began piling on the pressure and Avi Rikan had his own chance to score in the 58th minute but he shot directly at Ernests Shetkos in the Beersheba goal.
Maccabi were piling men forward and paid the price in the 68th minute when Niv Zrihan equalised from a similar situation to Ofoedu’s goal as he stabbed the ball past Daniel Tenenbaum in the Maccabi goal with his left foot as he advanced forward after a sharp cross in from the left by Nigel Hasselbaink.
The Beersheba forward missed his first opportunity but managed to sneak past the Maccabi defence to score.
Substitute Eylon Almog had an excellent chance to restore Maccabi’s lead in the 84th minute but Shetkos, who was having a heroic night, managed to get in the way of the Tel Aviv player’s shot and he deflected the ball to safety.
The tempo remained high to the end with Maccabi more dominant and controlling play, but they were unable to add to their tally.
