Preview
Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD24 WINNER League match against Maccabi Bnei Reineh aiming to extend their run to three victories in succession.
With Maccabi two points adrift of leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva, Head coach Zarko Lazetic, would like to celebrate his 43rd birthday by beating Bnei Reine and capturing top spot. Lazetic, made a single change from the side that beat Bnei Sakhnin as Tyrese Asante stepped in to replace Idan Nachmias who was serving a one-match-touchline-ban.
Stav Lemkin and Nemanja Stojic lined up infront of goalkeeper Simon Sluga with Roy Revivo completing Maccabi’s back-four at left-back. Issouf Sissokho was named in the anchorman role just behind Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz who led the team out wearing the captain’s armband, Weslley Patati on one wing and Henry Addo on the opposite flank supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation with Dor Turgeman leading the line. On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Roi Misphati, Avisahy Cohen, Eran Zahavi, Joris van Overeem, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Ido Shahar and Osher Davida.
Following the release of Omer Shem Tov from captivity after 505 days in Gaza earlier today, Idan Nachmias removed the shirt from the hostages seats and took it to the dressing room where it will hang until he arrives at Bloomfield.
A minute of silence was also observed in memory of the hostages who were murdered in Gaza, Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas as well as Oded Lifshitz the grandfather of former Maccabi keeper Daniel Lifshitz.
First Half
Maccabi began the match on the front foot but it was the visitors who took the lead in the ninth minute. Bnei Reineh were awarded a corner which Maccabi’s defense struggled to clear and despite what seemed like a foul on goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Omri Altman tapped the ball in. Maccabi’s protests didn’t help as referee Orel Grinfeeld and the VAR didn’t spot any infringement as Reineh’s lead was confirmed.
In the 23rd minute Issouf Sissokho was booked by Grinfeeld for a mistimed tackle on a Reineh opponent just outside the visitors’ box. Henry Addo who looked lively down the left causing Reineh’s defense all sorts of problems, won the ball after placing Mor Barami under pressure. But Addo’s claims for a penalty after bursting into the area and being pulled down, were waived by the referee. Four minutes after the half hour mark Reineh’s keeper Gad Amos punched awayba dangerous Weslley Patati dangerous left foot shot. Three minutes later Gabi Kanichowsky released Roy Revivo with a clever flick but the left back’s shot was caught by Amos.
Second Half
Maccabi returned to the second half unchanged while Reineh’s coach Sharon Mimer made a triple substitution at the restart introducing Mohammed Shaker, Roi Shukrani and Ezekiel Henty for Abdallah Ja’aber Muhamed Usman and Sa’ar Fadida. In the 59th minute Lazetic added a fresh pair of legs as he introduced Osher Davida for Addo.
Sissokho tried a long range effort on 69 but the Mali midfielder saw his effort sail over the crossbar. Maccabi continued to look dangerous as a minute later Davida burst into the area and cut the ball back for Dor Peretz who blasted his shot over as well. Stav Lemkin released Patati into the area on 77 but the Brazilian’s shot from a tight angle went wide. Lazetic made a double substitution as Ido Shahar and Eran Zahavi replaced Sissokho and Peretz for the final 10 minutes. Two more claims for a penalty were waived once again by Grinfeeld, the first for a Barami handball and the second forna foul on Turgeman.
Deep inside the eight minutes of added time Zahavi and Shahar exchanged passes on the edge of the area before Nemanja Stojic blasted over. The defeat denied Maccabi a chance to narrow the two point gap from Hapoel Beersheva as they remain with 51 after 24 natches.
