Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at Sammy Ofer stadium to face third place Hapoel Haifa for the MD13 ONE ZERO LEAGUE match which will be their final match of 2023.
While Maccabi are unbeaten in 11 league matches, they still have to play second place Maccabi Haifa for their rescheduled match on January 10th in order to complete what could be an almost perfect round.
After a good start to the season, Hapoel Haifa suffered a dip in form suffering two of the three defeats they conceded this season in the last four matches: 3-0 to Maccabi Haifa and 4-0 to Hapoel Be’ersheva last week.
Maccabi’s Head Coach Robbie Keane made four changes from the side that beat Beitar Jerusalem last week. With Nir Bitton suffering from a cruciate ligament against Beitar that is set to sideline him for the rest of the season, Idan Nachmias who came on in the first half, kept his place alongside Derrick Luckassen. Avishai Cohen returned to the starting line-up at right back while Roy Revivo, moved back to his regular position on the left. Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role with Dor Peretz to his right, were joined by Dan Biton who returned from injury to complete the midfield trio. Yoanatan Cohen, scorer of the late winning goal against Beitar started on one wing with Felicio Milson on the opposite flank. Eran Zahavi led the line and the team out with the captain’s armband as the veteran marksman will be aiming to return to his goal scoring form after not scoring for one match.
On the bench, Keane, named Roi Mishpati, Dor Turgeman, Gabi Kanichowsky, Sheran Yeini, Ofir Davidzada, Yehuda Belay, Ido Shahar, Kiko Bondoso and Osher Davida.
First Half
Less than a minute from the start Felicio Milson remained on the ground requiring medical treatment but the Angolan winger who will travel after the game to join his national squad for the African Cup of Nations, returned to the playing field shortly after. The hosts came close to draw first blood as early as the 10th minute after Mohamad Kamara and Tomer Yosefi combined well to break through from the left. But Yosefi’s shot came cross forcing Orlando Mosquera to pull his first save of the game before the danger was cleared.
A delicate Dan Biton chip released Eran Zahavi through in the 16th minute but the 36-year-old striker couldn’t get a shot on target as Haifa’s defense blocked for a corner. The resulting corner fell to Derrick Luckassen who sent it back into the danger zone before Idan Nachmias rose high and headed home. But Maccabi’s celebrations were short-lived as for some bizarre reason the referee disallowed the goal. In the 24th minute a Milson cross reached Zahavi whose close range header rattled the crossbar before a Biton shot was also blocked on the goalmouth.
Keane was forced to make his first change in the 39th minute as Luckassen limped off and was replaced by Ofir Davidzada. Mosquera pulled another save on 43 as the Panamanian custodian was at full stretch to keep out Filipe Santos’ low drive from the edge of the area.
On the stroke of halftime nothing could deny Nachmias from scoring the opener as a well taken corner which began with Joris van Overeem, allowed Biton to whip in a cross before the tall central defender rose high and headed in the opener.
Second Half
With no changes at halftime both teams emerged for the second half which could have seen Maccabi double their lead almost instantly but Dor Peretz sent a weak shot that was easily collected by Niv Antman. In the 51st minute Haifa’s keeper pulled a stunning save to deny Milson and Yonatan Cohen three minutes later.
Keane made a double substitution in the 70th minute as Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Turgeman came on for Biton and Zahavi.
Seven minutes after his introduction, Kanichowsky, Yonatan Cohen and Peretz combined well down the right but once again the midfielder’s shot wasn’t powerful enough.
Keane made another double change as Avishai Cohen and Yonatan Cohen both bowed out and were replaced by Kiko Bondoso and Sheran Yeini in the 87th minute. The veteran club captain making his 550th appearance, reached another landmark to move a step closer towards Maccabi’s all time record holder Miko Belo who has 604.
