Preview
Maccabi arrived at Turner stadium for the MD17 WINNER League top of the table clash against leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva. With his side only one point adrift of the top, Maccabi’s coach Zarko Lazetic, who is the only one to inflict Be’ersheva a defeat this season, will try emulating the result when both teams last met at Bloomfield. The Serbian coach who rested several key players during the weekend’s Cup victory against Hapoel Jerusalem, made nine changes once again as he welcomed back some of his regular starters.
Roi Mishpati returned to goal, while Raz Shlomo and Roy Revivo were the only two starters from the weekend who kept their place at center and left back respectively. Nemanja Stojic returned to the heart of defense to partner Shlomo, while Idan Nachmias slotted in at right-back to complete Maccabi’s defensive line.
Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz formed Maccabi’s midfield trio with the latter leading the team out wearing the captain’s armband. Sagiv Jehezkel, was named on one wing with Weslley Patati on the opposite flank. Dor Turgeman, whose spectacular solo effort decided the match against Be’ersheva at Bloomfield, led the attack. Turgeman will aim to end the barren run of 6 matches without a goal and add to his 5 league goals and 9 in all competitions this season.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Lazetic named, Stav Lemkin, Tyrese Asante, Eran Zahavi, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Issouf Sissokho, Ido Shahar and Osher Davida.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Lazetic named, Stav Lemkin, Tyrese, Eran Zahavi, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Issouf Sissokho, Ido Shahar and Osher Davida.
First Half
A wall of noise and a sea of color welcomed both sets of players onto the pitch as Turner was full to its’ 16000-capacity supplying an atmosphere worthy of a top of the table clash. Maccabi came close to draw first blood in the fifth minute as Dor Turgeman who was sent into the area cut the ball back for Sagiv Jehezkel whose effort was blocked by goalkeeper Niv Eliasi.
In the 22nd minute Gabi Kanichowsky intercepted a ball deep inside Beersheva’s half before releasing Jehezkel into the box. But once again the Maccabi winger had his effort blocked by a defender before his shot could reach the target. A minute later at the opposite end Kings Kangwa burst forward for almost the entire length of the pitch with Roy Revivo tracking back but his shot was blocked by the stretched arm of Mishpati. Be’ersheva continued to look dangerous as Dan Biton had a sight on goal, but the former Maccabi midfielder fired his shot straight at Mishpati.
Maccani reached their best chance in the 40th minute at the end of a team effort which began with Van Overeem breaking Beersheva’s pressure on the edge of Maccabi’s box. Turgeman, rose high to meet Idan Nachmias’ cross but Eliasi stretched himself to claw the ball out for a corner. Three minutes later Eliasi came to Be’ersheva’s rescue as he managed to save Weslley Patati powerful shot before denying the Brazilian winger once again on the stroke of halftime.
Second Half
With no changes at halftime Maccabi began the second half just like they did in the first. Dor Peretz found himself in acres of space inside the Beersheva penalty area. But the hosts’ defense managed to recover in time. Sloppy defending at the opposite end a minute later allowed Biton through, but with only Mishpati to beat he tried lifting the ball over the advancing keeper who collected with ease. In the 56th minute Maccabi edged even closer as Patati’s square ball reached Kanichowsky on the edge of the area before the midfielder’s shot deflected off a defender and struck the base of the post.
A minute after the hour mark Beersheva took the lead as Kangwa picked the ball deep inside Maccabi’s half, took a few touches and released a low drive that beat Mishpati and crept into the bottom corner. Lazetic reacted with a triple substitution in the 70th minute as he introduced Issouf Sissokho, Osher Davida and Eran Zahavi for van Overeem, Peretz and Turgeman.
Lazetic’s changes had an immediate impact as Maccabi were back on level terms three minutes later. Davida burst down the right flank and sent the ball with the outside of his boot across the face of goal allowing Jehezkel to tap the ball home from point blank range. The comeback was complete within two minutes as Sissokho slipped the ball in for Patati who broke into the box, rounded Eliasi and rolled the ball into the open net. The referee assistant raised his flag, and the goal was initially disallowed, but VAR intervened and overturned the decision to confirm the Brazilian’s goal.
Elad Madmon replaced Jehezkel in the 84th minute as Lazetic added a fresh pair of legs to his forward line.
Be’ersheva scored a controversial equalizer inside injury time as Turgeman headed in a Roi Gordana corner despite a clear push on Mishpati inside the six-yard box. Maccabi’s protests didn’t help claiming their keeper was fouled as the goal was confirmed.
Tyrese Asante replaced Roy Revivo for the final few minutes as Lazetic bolstered his defense but seconds later Mishpati pulled a stunning save to deny Miguel Vitor and ensure the spoils are shared.
