Preview:
Maccabi arrived at the Sheriff Main Arena in Tiraspol ahead of the first leg of the Europa League 2nd qualifying round tie which kick starts their 2026/27 European campaign.
Maccabi’s Head Coach Kenny Miller stuck with the same starting line-up that recorded a convincing 3-1 victory away to Hapoel Be’ersheva in the Super Cup. Ofek Melika started in goal with Itai Ben Hamo, Ali Camara and Raz Shlomo lining up as three central defenders on front of the keeper. Sagiv Jehezkel who provided all three assists against Be’rsheva and Roy Revivo started at right and left wing-backs respectively. Issouf Sissokho and Itamar Noy were named by Kenny Miller in Maccabi’s engine room. Dor Peretz who led the team out with the captain’s armband and Ido Shahar were both named by Miller in a slightly more attacking role. While Saied Abu Farchi spearheaded Maccabi’s attack.
On the bench Miller welcomed back from suspension Tyrese Asante, Kristijan Belic and Elad Madmon with Helio Varela
who returned from World Cup action was also named amongst the substitutes. Goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Dan Glazer, Noam Ben Harosh, Shahar Rosen, Osher Davida, Ori Azo, Noam Schwartz and Ilay Ben Simon were also named on the bench waiting for their chance.
First half
Maccabi began the match on the front foot looking dangerous down the left as Roy Revivo caused the Sheriff defense trouble down the left. Maccabi continued to expose the Moldovan’s defense down that side and were rewarded for their efforts early on. With less than five minutes on the clock Maccabi had the ball in then back of the net as Ido Shahar curled a cross from the left befire Saied Abu Farchi rose high and sent his header past goalkeeper Emil Timbur. Two minutes later Maccabi came close to double their lead but Sagiv Jehezkel fired his shot over. The hosts were almost back on level terms in the ninth minute as Dhoraso Klas floated a cross over Maccabi’s defense. Jayder Asprilla sent a dangerous header which was making its’ way in but Ofek Melika stretched himself and turned the ball over the crossbar. The action packed start to the match continued in the 10th minute as Itamar Noy had two more chances to increase Maccabi’s lead in the space of 30 seconds. Noy’s initial close range effort was blocked by Sheriff’s keeper before his second effort was cleared by a defender. In the 25th minute while Revivo was receiving treatment on the byline, Sheriff managed to find a breakthrough but a dangerous cross was palmed away by the alert Melika.
Three minutes later at the opposite end Maccabi came close as Itai Ben Hamo carved the Sheriff’s defense open with a perfect through ball to Jehezkel who dragged his shot just wide of the far post. This must have been a sign of what was there to come as a minute later in what was a regular routine last season as Revivo added another assist to his name to set up Dor Peretz. The talented 23-year-old left back sent a trademark pinpoint cross from the left allowing Peretz to finish with a clinical half volley that rolled into the bottom corner.
Second half:
Kenny Miller didn’t make any changes after the interval but Maccabi began the second period exactly how they did in the first half. Seven minutes after the restart Maccabi increased their lead even further as Revivo added another assist to his name this time releasing Jehezkel who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Three minutes after the hour mark Miller made a triple substitution as Noy, Jehezkel and Shahar all bowed out and were replaced by Kristijan Belic, Osher Davida and Helio Varela.
In the 69th minute however Konan Loukou found himself unmarked inside Maccabi’s box but forced a fingertip save from Melika. Belic limped off on 72 and was replaced by Dan Glazer while a minute later Abu Farchi released Peretz into the box before the captain was hacked down. Cypriot referee Kyriakos Athanasiou awarded a penalty before Abu Farchi stepped up and successfully blasted the spot kick into the top corner to make it four. Maccabi were awarded a free kick after Revivo was fouled just outside the area in the 77th minute. Revivo’s attemot of a cross was cleared but reached Issouf Sissokho who blasted in his debut goal and Maccabi’s fifth.
Melika kept his goal locked in the 87th minute as the 21-year-old keeper saved with his feet from Asprilla who was clear through before palming away Danila Forov’s powerful rebound.
