Preview
On the back of two victories in their opening Playoff matches, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD29 WINNER League encounter against Hapoel Be’ersheva. After losing the previous three encounters with Be’ersheva this season, the Super Cup in July (1-2), the MD13 league match at Turner (0-1) and the final match of the regular season at Bloomfield (1-3) a fortnight ago – Maccabi will seek their first victory.
The fact Be’ersheva dropped a two-goal lead to Beitar Jerusalem when both teams met at the weekend, saw Maccabi move within six points from second place and eight from the summit. Ronny Deila, will still face Be’ersheva for the corresponding fixture at Turner on MD35 and then for the State Cup Final at Teddy stadium on May 26th. But if Deila wishes to keep Maccabi’s chances of defending the league title, he must record a first victory over one of the two sides ranked above Maccabi in the table. While Deila will be forced to do so without two of his regular starters Roy Revivo and Tyrese Asante as the two influential full-backs are both serving a one-match touchline ban following the yellow cards they picked during the 3-1 victory away to Maccabi Haifa. Heitor dos Santos was named by Deila as the replacement of Asante on the right while Sagiv Jehezkel was named on the opposite flank at left back. Ali Camara also returned to the side as the Guinean central defender recovered from injury and partnered Raz Shlomo in front of goalkeeper Ofek Melika at the heart of defense.
As opposed to the absentees in defense, Deila welcomed back from suspension Dor Peretz as the 30-year-old captain will lead the team out with the captain’s armband. Maccabi’s top goalscorer in the league (13), joins Ido Shahar who trails Peretz by one goal in the league but also scored 15 in all competitions. Issouf Sissokho completes Maccabi’s midfield trio as the 24-year-old Malian slotted into the anchorman role. Emir Sahiti and Helio Varela were named by Deila on the wings with Saied Abu Farchi leading the attack. The 19-year-old who scored a spectacular goal at Haifa will aim to add to his tally of 11 goals in all competitions this season.
On the bench Deila also welcomed Osher Davida back from suspension as the winger will wait for his chance alongside Roi Mishpati, Kervin Andrade, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Noam Ben Harush, Ben Lederman, Itamar Noy and Itai Ben Hamo.
First Half
Bloomfield stadium was packed to capacity for the top of the table clash as a sea of yellow and blue surrounded 3/4 of the stadium while the visitors had their north section also filled with red fans. Be’ersheva took the early initiative, but it was Maccabi that came close to draw first blood. Dor Peretz slipped the ball for Emir Sahiti who twisted and turned before whipping in a cross for Ido Shahar who couldn’t connect.
The visitors tried playing their game, pressing Maccabi in their own half while Deila’s side looked dangerous going forward. Helio Varela on the left and Emir Sahiti on the right kept causing Be’ersheva’s defenders all sorts of problems with their bursting pace. In the 16th minute a counterattack saw Saied Abu Farchi charge down the left, but his square ball was cleared away by Djibril Diop. Sagiv Jehezkel was the first player to be booked by Sapir Berman and Issouf Sissokho was also shown the yellow card shortly after. Or Blorian was booked at Be’ersheva for a challenge on Peretz on the half hour mark while two minutes later, Abu Farchi almost exploited a mistake in Be’ersheva’s defense. Abu Farchi intercepted a Guy Mizrahi back pass but couldn’t gain full control allowing Niv Eliasi to charge off his line and collect.
Sahiti tried a dipping shot from outside the box which was directed straight at Eliasi. Kings Kangwa almost managed to find an opening but Heitor dos Santos recovered on time and hooked the ball away. Mohamad Abu Rumi curled a left foot shot which crept wide of Ofek Melika’s left post. Mizrahi found Zahi Ahmad unmarked on 38 but his attempt to curl the ball and beat Melika missed the target. While the tempo was frantic none of the teams could find an opening as Berman’s halftime whistle sent the two sets of players to regroup in the dressing rooms and prepare for the second period.
Second Half
No changes were made after the interval as the second half began just like first one. Two minutes after the restart, Berman decided not to caution Jehezkel for a challenge on Mizrahi which could have left Maccabi with 10 men for the rest of the match. Maccabi and Be’ersheva didn’t create any clear chance before the visitors made a triple change on the hour mark as Shai Elias, Abu Rumi and Javon East all made way for Eliel Peretz, Amir Ganah and Igor Zlatanovic. Deila reacted with two changes of his own as Noam Ben Harush and Elad Madmon came on for dos Santos and Abu Farchi four minutes later. Ben Harush stepped into the left side of defense while Jehezkel pushed across to right back. In the 72nd minute Deila made another double change as Jehezkel and Shahar were replaced by Itamar Noy and Osher Davida. Within a minute Madmon burst forward and charged towards the area before unleashing a shot which narrowly missed the top corner. Melika pulled two stunning saves as he first denied Ganah before punching away a Kangwa thunderbolt.
Melika was at full stretch once again on 83 as he turned Ganah’s powerful shot for a corner. Maccabi pressed forward with the support of the fans who could feel Be’ersheva were there for the taking. Eliasi intercepted a Varela cross in the 85th minute before Davida could make contact. Two minutes later Madmon dispossessed Diop and charged towards the box but his initial effort was saved by Eliasi before Noy dragged the rebound wide. Deila added more firepower as he introduced Kervin Andrade for Sissokho on 86 as he tried to grab a late winner. The diminutive Venezuelan midfielder almost had an immediate impact. While Maccabi pressed forward Andrade gained control inside the box before sending a spectacular pass across the face of goal which was missed by Davida. Inside added time Ali Camara was booked a fact which would see him serve a one match suspension against Beitar Jerusalem on Saturday.
In the final minute of stoppage time, with virtually the last kick of the game, the match delivered its most dramatic moment. Sahiti’s pinpoint cross from the right picked out Varela inside the box, and the Cape Verde winger unleashed a powerful effort that Eliasi did well to parry. But Peretz, timing his run to perfection, was quickest to react, pouncing on the rebound and volleying into the empty net to seal the victory. The majority of the 24,069 fans at Bloomfield were on their feet as the stadium erupted into pure euphoria.
