Preview
Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the final match of the regular season as they host Hapoel Haifa on MD26 of the WINNER League. This will be the first of two league matches against Hapoel Haifa in the space of a week, as they were drawn to be the opening match of the Playoff as well.
On the back of last week’s dramatic 3-2 victory over bottom of the table side Hapoel Hadera, Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, will be aiming for a better start than the one which saw his side concede twice early on, as well as for the 15th league match in succession.
Lazetic welcomed Tyrese Asante and Issouf Sissokho back from suspension as the duo were named in Maccabi’s starting line up against the in from Haifaities. Asante was named at right-back with Raz Shlomo back in the starting line up partnering Nemanja Stojic at the heart of defense. Roy Revivo completed Maccabi’s defensive line in front of goalkeeper Simon Sluga. Sissokho in the anchorman role sat at the back of the midfielder trio which included Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz. Following the injury to Weslley Patati, Elad Madmon was named on one wing with Osher Davida on the opposite flank. Dor Turgeman who scored Maccabi’s winning goal against Hadera, led the line aiming to add to his tally of 15 goals in all competitions.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Lazetic named, Idan Nachmias, Eran Zahavi, Joris van Overeem, Yonas Malede, Henry Addo, Ofir Davidzada and Ido Shahar.
Prior to kickoff a ceremony was held with the band members of Mashina acknowledging 40 years since their first album was released with the iconic Night Train song.
Maccabi’s owner’s representative Jack Angelides and Tal Mualem VP of Marketing & Commerce presented the band with framed gold records.
First Half
With a positive energy from the fans Maccabi began the match on the front foot and enjoyed most of the possession. Eight minutes from the start Roy Revivo received the ball just inside the area before drilling a powerful left foot drive which was punched away by Haifa’s keeper Yoav Gerafi. Five minutes later at the opposite end Dor Hugi almost caught Maccabi’s defense off guard as he charged forward but sent his shot wide of Simon Sluga’s right post.
In the 17th minute Gabi Kanichowsky picked Osher Davida with a perfectly measured pass but the winger’s attempt of square ball into the path of Dor Turgeman was created by Haifa’s defense right from the goalmouth. Davida who looked dangerous down the right, received the ball from Elad Madmon in the 31st minute before cutting inside to his left and releasing a pwerful drive that Gerafi managed to catch.
Maccabi were awarded a penalty in the 43rd minutes after Revivo was fouled inside the penalty with David Fuxman pointing directly at the spot. Dor Turgeman stepped up and successfully converted the spot kick past Gerafi to give Maccabi a 1-0 lead with his 11th league goal of the season.
Second Half
With no changes at halftime Maccabi began the second half where the first one left off as they were awarded a free kick near the corner of the area after Revivo was fouled once again. Kanichowsky curled the free kick beyond the wall but Gerafi was ready on the goalline to catch the ball and deny Maccabi a second. Maccabi came close right on the hour mark as a long pinpoint ball by Nemanja Stojic released Davida who burst into the area but saw his effort saved by Gerafi for a corner.
In the 68th minute Stojic limped off after picking an injury as Lazetic introduced Stav Lemkin. Turgeman pulled the trigger with a right-foot half volley on 71 which went wide of the post as Maccabi continued to look dangerous.
While Lazetic was preparing for a double change to introduce Henry Addo and Eran Zahavi on 75, Maccabi doubled their lead. Peretz won the ball deep inside Haifa’s half charged forward and blasted his shot which was too powerful for Gerafi as the ball flew off the keeper into the roof of the net. Madmon and Turgeman bowed out and were replaced by Addo and Zahavi as Maccabi pushed forward trying to increase the lead even further. Zahavi fired a shot from the edge of the area which was caught be Gerafi as the veteran forward tried to get his name on the scoresheet and join in on the celebration.
Maccabi made another double substitution in the 88th minute as Sissokho and Peretz bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced by Joris van Overeem Abdallah Ido Shahar for the closing stages.
