Preview
Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the final home match of the season against Beitar Jerusalem which ends the 2024/25 campaign. Leading the table by two points following the 3-0 victory away to Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi could secure a second league title in succession with a victory. Second placed Hapoel Be’ersheva that host Hapoel Haifa at Turner, will be hoping for Maccabi to slip but in front of club owner Mitch Goldhar and 30,000 fans at Bloomfield, no intends to let that happen. The fact this match will be the final outing in Yellow and Blue for Eran Zahavi and Joris van Overeem who both announced they are leaving at the end of the season – means that everything is set for the big occasion.
Lazetic was forced to make one change from the side that won at Sammy Ofer as Issouf Sissokh was sidelined with a one match touchline ban allowing Joris van Overeem to slot into the midfield.
Simon Sluga made his 19th start in Maccabi’s goal with Stav Lemkin and Nemanja Stojic as the two central defenders in front of him. Tyrese Asante made his 40th appearance on the right side of defense while Roy Revivo completed the defensive line at left back. Van Overeem made his 113th appearance in Maccabi’s midfield as he sat behind Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz. Weslley Patati who scored the opening goal at Haifa started on one wing while Osher Davida who scored the second at Haifa made his 90th appearance for Maccabi on the opposite flank. Upfront, on his 308th and final appearance for the club, Eran Zahavi led the team out wearing the captain’s armband hoping to add to his 13 goals this season to add to his total of 205 goals in Yellow and Blue.
On the bench, Lazetic named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Elad Madmon, Henry Addo, Ofir Davidzada and Ido Shahar.
Prior to kickoff a minute of applauds was held in memory of Maccabi Haifa’s 31-year-old midfielder Gadi Kinda who passed away during the week.
First Half
A packed Bloomfield stadium supplied a stunning backdrop as a sea of Yellow and Blue with a wall of noise spilled onto the pitch. Beitar that didn’t have any travelling fans due to a ban, found themselves under pressure right from the off as Maccabi pinned in their own half. In second minute Roy Revivo cut inside from the right and on his weaker right foot released a shot from the edge of the area which didn’t trouble Beitar’s keeper Miguel Silva. Seven minutes later Maccabi were rewarded for their efforts as Gabi Kanichowsky received the ball down the right before floating a pinpoint cross towards the back post. Dor Peretz sent Bloomfield up in the air as he rose high and headed in from close range to put Maccabi infront. Maccabi continued to dominate and in the 18th minute doubled the lead in spectacular fashion as the 30,000 got what they wanted. Revivo charged down the left all the way to the touchline before cutting a powerful square in the direction of Eran Zahavi who flicked the ball home with one touch to score his 149th league goal in Yellow and Blue.
Beitar made an instant substitution as Zohar Zasno came on for the injured Gil Cohen. A minute after the half hour mark Zahavi received the ball on the edge of the area before sending a low drive that forced Silva to turn the ball for a corner. On the stroke of halftime Osher Davida burst down the right all the way to the touchline as he cut inside all the way to the goal post before flicking to Weslley Patati who failed to connect from the goal mouth.
Second Half
The second half began just like the first with Maccabi pressing forward as inside the first minute Peretz flashed a shot wide of the post. Patati who together with Revivo tormented Beitar’s defense down the left sent a square ball which Zahavi fired over two minutes later. Kanichowsky was sent clear through but Silva charged off his line to block with his feet. In the 53nd minute Davida charged forward and cut the ball back for Peretz who miscued his close range effort which rolled agonisingly wide. Peretz was fuming over another missed chance but four minutes later the 30-year-old midfielder celebrated Maccabi’s third. Davida won a tackle inside Maccabi’s half and carved Beitar’s defende to release Peretz whose attempt to find Zahavi was turned by Jean Marcelin into his own net. A Mexican wave swept around Bloomfield as the fans could feel the Champinship was moving a step closer and in the 61st minute as a spectacular move of some slick moves and passes resulted with Zahavi blasting in the fourth with his second on the night and 150th league goal.
In the 67th minute Bloomfield was on its feet as Zahavi’s number was raised for a substitution giving the 37-year-old a standing ovation for his final send off. Dor Turgrman took Zahavi’s place upfront while seven minutes later the 28,108 fans gave another standing ovation this time to Joris van Overeem who made his final appearance and was replaced by Ido Shahar. Davida also received a standing ovation for his performance as he was replaced by Sagiv Jehezkel. In the 79th minute Maccabi scored the fifth as Patati broke down the left and cut the ball for Turgeman who slotted in at the near post to join in the celebration.
Kanichowsky and Peretz both came off to a standing ovation as Idan Nachmias and Elad Madmon were introduced for the closing stages. Orel Grinfeelds full time whistle signalled the beginning of the celebrations as Maccabi secured the 26th league title.
Dor Peretz who scored the opening goal and and assisted another was voted as the IPFL player of the season and was handed an award at the end of the match.
