Pregame

Maccabi returned to league action after a two-week international break as the second match of the Playoff away to Maccabi Netanya – a side Maccabi couldn’t beat this season.

The 0-0 draw against Bnei Sakhnin at Bloomfield stadium on MD27 saw Maccabi drop two valuable points which took their point tally to 54. But victories to Hapoel Be’ersheva and Maccabi Haifa kept Maccabi four and eight points adrift of the leading duo. Maccabi that suffered a 4-2 defeat in the first round at Netanya followed by a 2-2 draw at Bloomfield will aim to return winning ways by beating their opponents for the first time this season. Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic made several changes from the side that drew with Sakhnin as Shahar Piven and Ofir Davidzada were named as the two full-backs on the right and left respectively. Enric Saborit and Idan Nachmias lined-up in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz to complete the defensive back-four.

Dan Glazer led the team out wearing the captain’s armband as the midfield anchor-man. Eden Shamir also returned to the starting line-up as the 26-year-old made his first league start since the 3-2 derby victory on February 12th. Gabi Kanichowsky, who made his debut appearance for Israel, faced his former club aiming to add to the 3 league goals he scored this season. Injuries to Eyal Golasa and Dan Biton forced Krstajic to make further changes as Avi Rikan stepped into the midfield to make his first league start since the 3-1 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem on January 15th. Tal Ben Chaim who was deputised to a more defensive position before the international break, returned to the attack alongside Djordje Jovanovic while Stipe Perica dropped to the bench.

First Half

Prior to kick-off a minute of applause was observed in memory of the 11 victims murdered last week by terrorist attacks across Israel. The match began with plenty of aggression and at high tempo as tackles were flying thick and fast right from the off. A shoulder barge by Gabi Kanichowsky on Parfait Guigon which shook the on-loan Ivorian winger off the ball eight minutes from the start was a sign that no one intends to shy away from the battle at stake.

While Netanya enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening stages, Maccabi reached a great chance to break the deadlock in the 17th minute. Djordje Jovanovic won the ball inside the centre circle and released Avi Rikan for a counter attack down the right flank before his cut-back which reached Ben Chaim was miscued by the veteran winger. Jovanovic latched on the loose ball but the Serbian striker somehow missed the target when it seemed easier to score. In the 22nd minute however, Raz Shlomo was the first player to be booked by referee Yigal Frid for stopping a Maccabi counter attack by pulling down Rikan on the edge of the area. The veteran midfielder dusted himself up and curled a powerful low free kick that beat Amos and put Maccabi in front for his first league goal of the season.

Just like in the previous two matches against Netanya the hosts’ never-say-die attitude saw them come close as Boris Enow rattled Daniel Peretz’s crossbar with a fierce drive on 29. Ben Chaim wasted a chance seconds later at the opposite end as his shot struck the side netting. Within a minute Maccabi had the ball in the back of the net after Ben Chaim floated a pinpoint cross to Jovanovic who sent a looping header over Amos. The celebrations Jovanovic were short-lived as VAR ruled that Ben Chaim was offside and the goal was disallowed. The action continued in the 34th minute as Ben Chaim managed to take the ball around Amos and score, but once again the goal was disallowed for offside as Maccabi’s goal lead, rather than two or three, remained fragile.

In the 43^rd minute, Shahar Piven was booked for a foul on Guigon just inside Maccabi’s half. Omri Gendeleman ghosted at the far post to meet the free kick that eluded Maccabi’s defence but the Israeli Under 21 international sent his header across the face of Peretz’s goal and wide of the target.

Second Half

Mladen Krastajic made a change at the interval as Piven who experienced a torrid half by Guigon was replaced by Andre Geraldes at right-back for the restart. In the 53rd minute however, Netanya were back on level terms as Patrick Tumasi flicked the ball to Hen Ezra who slid it to Aviv Avraham before Netanya’s captain raced clear through and slotted his shot past the advancing Peretz to make it 1-1.

Right on the hour mark, Krstajic reacted with a double substitution as Eden Shamir and Rikan bowed out and were replaced by Brandley Kuwas and Stipe Perica. Peretz, who was forced to a couple of saves earlier in the second half, pulled a stunning save to deny Ezra whose dangerous shot was making its’ way into the top corner on 64.

Netanya continued to look dangerous as Guigon flashed a half-volley from the edge of the area in the 66th minute that crept wide of Peretz’s post. Three minutes later, an injury Ben Chaim picked saw him limp-off and replaced by Eylon Almog.

Dan Glazer and Kanichowsky combined well with Perica in the 72nd minute only for the tall Croat to send his shot wide. Kuwas tried his luck with a long range free kick in the 75th minute but while the effort of the Curaçao international wasn’t short of power, it lacked accuracy. Krstajic made his fifth and final change in the 82nd minute as Sheran Yeini replaced the tired Jovanovic for the closing stages of the game.
Frid’s full-time whistle ensured the points were shared as Maccabi failed to beat Netanya for the third time this season thus recording their second draw in succession. Maccabi narrowed the gap from Hapoel Be’ersheva to three points and seven from leaders Maccabi Haifa. But as the two leaders face each other on Monday – the point gained is rather a missed chance that has all but put to bed any championship aspirations.

Hundreds of FOREVER members arrived last Sunday to the Talkhouse at the Tel Aviv port for another exclusive event for the fan club which continues to give you a lot more Maccabi.

This time round FOREVER members enjoyed yet another exclusive event which kicked off with an excellent lecture “Football legends” where TV presenter Sharon Davidovitch told some of the great stories in modern day international football.

 some of the interesting answers of Yeini and Nachmias.

   

The international break is underway as Maccabi players are featuring in the various international teams. After a weekend packed with action here is a summary of what our players did.

Israel where facing a tough challenge on Saturday night when they played against Germany at Hoffenheim’s for what was the German’s first preparation match ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Gabi Kanichowsky made his senior international debut coming on as a second half substitute after the interval to play 45 minutes. Dan Glazer made his 12^th international appearance as he emerged in the 53^rd minute while Ofir Davidzada, Matan Baltaxa and Maor Kandil were unused subs against the Germans that won 2-0. The trio will hope to feature for Israel in their next friendly against Romania on Tuesday the 29^th at Netanya.

Earlier, the Israel Under 21 side were held to a 2-2 draw by Poland in their Group B European qualifier with Daniel Peretz playing 90 minutes in goal. Israel’s U21’s currently trail group leaders Germany by two points, before both sides face each other in Petah Tikva for a crucial match on March 29^th.

Israel’s Under 19’s Youth national team recorded an impressive 3-1 victory away to Turkey in their European Under 19’s Elite round. Oscar Gloukh who assisted a goal and Roy Revivo both started while Shon Edri came-off the bench to score Israel’s third. Ilay Tomer also made a substitute appearance while Dor Turgeman, currently on loan at Beitar Tel Aviv Bat yam, bagged a brace of goals.

Novatus Miroshi, who is also on loan at Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam scored the opening goal for Tanzania in their 3-1 friendly victory over Central African Republic at the Benjamin Mkapa national stadium.

  

 

 

“Bnei Sakhnin is a good side and we expected a tough match” Dan Glazer said after the disappointing goalless draw against Bnei Sakhnin at Bloomfield. “We dominated the match, were the better side and even though we didn’t reach too many chances, we created two or three good chances we should have scored. When you score the first (goal), everything looks totally different. But now we will pick ourselves up and move on”.

The 25-year old Israeli international, added: “We showed today that we are a good team and a tough one as well. They hardly reached any chances to score as we showed we are a dominant side and a tough side to beat. The difference between the match today and the previous matches we did win – was one goal”

Preview

Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the early kick-off match against Bnei Sakhnin for the first Playoff match.

As Maccabi are currently ranked third in the table with 53 points from 26 league matches, coach Mladen Krstajic was aiming to extend the run of good form that saw his side record 7 victories in succession and 9 out of the last 10 unbeaten.

One of the five defeats Maccabi suffered this season was away to Sakhnin (3-1) on the opening day of the 2021/22 league campaign. But as the reverse fixture at Bloomfield ended in a draw, Krstajic and his charges didn’t want to disappoint the 20,000 fans that turned-up and keep the title aspirations alive.

Captain Sheran Yeini pulled out of the squad in the last minute forcing Krstajic to change his defence from the side that beat Hapoel Hadera last week. In Yeini’s absence, Tal Ben Chaim who played at right-wing-back against Hadera, kept his place on the right side of the defence. Enric Saborit and Idan Nachmias lined-up as the two central defenders in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz with Matan Baltaxa completing the back four at left-back.

Dan Glazer led the team out wearing the captain’s armband in the midfield anchor-man role, while Eyal Golasa and Gabi Kanichowsky sharing the midfield duties. Matan Hozez was named in the starting line-up on the wing with Djordje Jovanovic on the opposite flank while Stipe Perica led the line upfront.

First Half

Maccabi began the match with purpose and intention a fact which saw them launch the first threat on goal after 90 seconds of play. Matan Hozez, latched onto a loose ball deep inside Sakhnin’s half before holding off a defender and unleashing a shot that crept wide of the post.

 

Matan Baltaxa found himself in a glorious position to score as the ball fell to him at the far post in the 9th minute, but Maccabi’s left-back wasted the chance as he guided his effort wide.

In the 17th minute Hozez was sent clear through and was seemed to have been brought down by Gad Amos who charged out of his area. But despite Maccabi’s claims for a foul and a potential red card for the Sakhnin keeper, referee Gal Leibovic kept his cards inside his pocket.

Five minutes later however, Ihab Ghnaim was the first player to be cautioned for a foul on Gabi Kanichowsky that stopped a counter attack. Maccabi’s best chance came in the 28th minute as Stipe Perica released Eyal Golasa into the area with a clever flick but Amos charged off his line and blocked the effort for a corner.

In the 39th minute Tal Ben Chaim who played at right-back floated a pinpoint cross into the danger zone to Perica who couldn’t direct his header on target. Three minutes later, a Hozez cross struck the arm of Omri Ben Harush as Maccabi were awarded a free kick near the corner of the area. Hozez stepped- up and curled the free kick with his left as the ball eluded all of Sakhnin’s defense as well as Perica who needed a touch to push the ball home from point blank range.

Second Half

With no substitutions after the interval, both sides emerged unchanged for the second half with Maccabi looking the sharper of the two. Three minutes after the restart, a Ben Chaim cross was headed by Djordje Jovanovic into the path of Hozez whose attempt of a shot was blocked by Amos and his defenders once again.

Daniel Peretz was drawn into the action for the first time in the 55th minute as Maccabi’s keeper was forced to punch out for a corner an Odah Marshall left foot shot.

Krstajic made his first substitutions on 67 as a double change saw Ofir Davidzada replace Baltaxa while Brandley Kuwas came-in for Golasa.

Kuwas made an instant impact as he released Hozez for a counter attack in the 70th minute as the ball ultimately fell to Jovanovic whose shot from the edge of the area narrowly cleared the crossbar. Seconds later Ben Chaim limped off and was replaced by Avi Rikan as Krstajic was forced to make his third substitution of the game. In a bid to break the deadlock, 

Maccabi continued to pile on the pressure as a dangerous Jovanovic square ball in the 75th minute forced Amos to dive and collect. Krstajic bolstered the attack and sent-in a fresh pair of legs as Eylon Almog replaced Hozez on 77.

Sakhnin had a chance of their own in the 81st minute as Guy Melamed who was introduced in the second half, flashed a header wide of Peretz’s post. At the opposite end Perica headed over following an Almog telling Cross from the left and a minute later Kanichowsky had a low drive blocked by Sakhnin’s defence.

In the 87th minute a clever Jovanovic turn in the middle of the park created time and space as he fed Perica whose shot was collected by Amos. Maccabi’s striking partners combined once again on 88 as Jovanovic’s attempt of a shot reached Perica who flicked the ball over the bar.

The full time whistle ended a disappointing match as Maccabi missed a chance to stick to the leading duo that won their matches.