Preview

Maccabi arrived at Nof Hagalil’s Green stadium for the MD18 WINNER League match away to Ironi Tiberias aiming to record their second victory in succession. Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, who is serving a one-match-touchline-ban made four changes from the side that beat Ashdod 5-1 at Bloomfield last week.

Roi Mishpati, making his 31st appearance this season and 65th for the club kept his place in goal. Raz Shlomo and Nemanja Stojic lined-up as the two central defenders in front Mishpati. Idan Nachmias on the right and Ofir Davidzada completed Maccabi’s back-four on the left. Joris van Overeem returned to the anchorman role just behind Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz who led the team out with the captain’s armband. Weslley Patati on one flank and Osher Davida on the other supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation with Dor Turgeman leading the line.

On the bench Lazetic named Shalev Sa’adya, Tyrese Asante, Eran Zahavi, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Issouf Sissokho, Hisham Layous and Ido Shahar.

First Half

Supported by around 4000 travelling fans, Maccabi began the match with purpose and intention to score an early goal. It didn’t take long as in the third minute Tiberias struggled to deal with a Weslley Patati cross into the area which fell to Idan Nachmias who managed to push the ball home. But the celebrations of the central defender were short-lived as VAR spotted that Nachmias handed the ball before scoring and disallowed the goal. Six minutes later Dor Peretz flicked an Ofir Davidzada cross past Daniel Tenenbaum but this time the referee assistant raised his flag, and the goal was disallowed as well. Osher Davida almost surprised Tenenbaum in the 10th minute as he spotted the former Maccabi keeper off his line and sent a delicate chip which narrowly missed the top corner. Maccabi continued to dominate and as Peretz’s claims for a penalty were waived by referee Dekel Tzino on 13.

In the 28th minute Patati curled a free kick from the edge of the area that landed on the roof of the net. A minute later Maccabi were forced to make the first change as Gabi Kanichowsky limped off and was replaced by Issouf Sissokho.

Tenebaum pulled a reflex save to deny a close-range-header by Peretz following a pinpoint Joris van Overeem cross. A minute later Dor Turgeman was tripped in the box and only the intervention of VAR saw Tzino point at the spot. Turgeman stepped up and buried the penalty beyond the reach of Tenenbaum to put Maccabi in front with his 7th league goal and 11th in all competitions.

Second Half

A minute after the restart Maccabi were awarded a free kick after Yonatan Tepper fouled Turgeman deep inside Tiberias’ half. Patati crossed the free kick into the box where Nemanja Stojic ghosted in at the far post and had his initial header saved before pushing the rebound home to double the lead.

Tiberias came close as Wahib Habiballa flicked a ball which struck the base of Roi Mishpati’s post. In the 52nd minute Tiberias cut the deficit as Bassem Za’arura was sent clear through before firing a shot that beat Mishpati and give the hosts a new lifeline. Two minutes later Maccabi’s bench made a second substitution as Eran Zahavi replaced Patati in a bid to kill the match off.

Maccabi continued to press forward as Zahavi missed a ball the rolled across the face of goal on 63 before Sissokho’s effort was saved by a combination of Tenenbaum and his crossbar.

Tenenbaum came to Tiberias’ rescue as he managed to push away another left foot curling effort by Davida on 81. Tiberias looked dangerous from set pieces as Metanel Tadesa headed a corner over from close range in the 83rd minute.

Hisham Layous and Elad Madmon came on for Davida and Turgeman on 86 as the duo were introduced for the closing stages. Less than a minute later Layous could have sealed the victory as he raced clear through but with only Tenenbaum to beat sent his shot straight at the keeper.

Inside injury time Tiberias scored a late equalizer as Maccabi struggled to clear a corner before Haroun Shapso blasted home from close range to make it 2-2. Tenenbaum saved a Layous half volley to deny Maccabi a goal and ensure the points are shared. Maccabi’s fifth draw of the season takes the point tally to 38 points, as attention now turns to Wednesday’s State Cup at against Maccabi Bnei Reineh at Bloomfield.