Preview
Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD17 ONE ZERO League second Tel Aviv derby of the season against arch city rivals Hapoel aiming to put behind them a winless streak of 3 matches in succession.
A ten point lead at the top of the table which has recently been reduced to three over the course of a week, keeps Robbie Keane’s charges in the driving seat. An outstanding unbeaten record at Tel Aviv derbies which now stretches to more than 9.5 years, is also something Maccabi will be unwilling to concede.
Three days after being held to a 2-2 draw away to Bnei Reineh, Keane made two changes to his starting line-up as Enric Saborit and Ofir Davidzada returned to the defense with Idan Nachmias and Osher Davida dropping to the bench. Derrick Luckassen at the heart of defense and Avishai Cohen at right back completed Maccabi’s defensive line in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz were Maccabi’s midfield engine room trio. Roy Revivo in a more advanced role on the left wing together with Dor Turgeman on the opposite flank supplied the width while Eran Zahavi led the line aiming to put behind him the six game barren run.
On the bench Keane named Orlando Mosquera, Idan Nachmias, Dan Biton, Yonatan Cohen, Sheran Yeini, Matan Baltaxa, Ido Shahar, Kiko Bondoso and Osher Davida.
First Half
Robbie Keane’s formation startled Hapoel as before the visitors could figure out what was going on, they found themselves trailing with less than 90 seconds on the clock. Eran Zahavi slid the ball to Gabi Kanichowsky before the diminutive midfielder carved Hapoel’s defense open to release Dor Turgeman through on goal. The 20-year-old striker kept his calm and with only Emilijus Zubas to beat buried a left foot shot past the Lithuanian keeper. A fireworks display from both section of fans lit up Bloomfield stadium and caused a few minutes of a delay until the smoke was cleared. Maccabi’s pressure seemed to have suffocated all of Hapoel’s attempts to even cross the halfway line. When they did, Derrick Luckassen and Enric Saborit cleared the danger before any threat could reach Roi Mishpati.
Maccabi kept pressing forward forcing Hapoel’s players to make mistakes as in the 25th minute they doubled their lead. Elian Ruhana lost possession deep inside his own half before Kanichowsky latched on the loose ball to feed Zahavi who turned in the area and had his initial effort blocked by Bryan Passi. Turgeman reacted first and with the goal at his mercy rolled the ball home for his second on the night. Two minutes after the half hour mark, Ruhana made amends for his mistake earlier as Yahav Gurfinkel’s cross was flicked by Alen Ozbolt into the path of Ruhana who headed past Mishpati to cut the deficit. Hapoel were back on level terms within 4 minutes as corner reached Tal Archel on the edge of the Maccabi area before firing a shot that Mishpati couldn’t keep out. Hapoel enjoyed the momentum as less than a minute later Mishpati was at full stretch to deny a powerful Dan Einbinder right foot drive that threatened to complete a three-goal comeback. In the 42nd minute however Maccabi were back Infront as Kanichowsky sent Zahavi into the area with a pinpoint through ball. The veteran marksman who hasn’t scored in six matches ended his drought as he fired his volley in off the crossbar to make it 3-2 with his 23rd goal in all competitions this season. The fourth official indicated seven minutes of added time and with no further goals an eventful first half of the derby was over.
Second Half
With no changes at the interval Maccabi began the second half just like they did with the first – pressure on Hapoel inside their own half. Four minutes after the restart Turgeman dribbled inside the area before the ball reahed Kanichowsky who forced Zubas to save with his feet. Saborit was booked in the 55th minute for a foul before Mishpati stretched himself to keep out Hisham Layous’ free kick. A close call two minutes later saved Luckassen from conceding a penalty as his clearance from the center of the area left Blorian on the ground clutching his face.
Three minutes later referee Idan Leiba awarded Maccabi a spot kick after Saborit was brought down by Archel at the opposite penalty box. Zahavi stepped up and blasted in the penalty to score his second on the night and Maccabi’s fourth.
Tempers flared as Ozbolt’s two footed tackle on Zahavi earned Hapoel’s forward a yellow card before Keane made his first changes in the 78th minute. Luckassen and Turgeman bowed out to a standing ovation by the majority of the 14,905 fans as the duo were replaced by Idan Nachmias and Osher Davida.
A counter attack in the 85th minute saw Roy Revivo charge down the left and cut the ball back for Zahavi whose shot was easily collected by Zubas. Just inside injury time Ofir Davidzada beat two Hapoel defenders as he charged into the penalty around down the left. Davidzada spotted Zahavi unmarked on the edge of the area, but while his powerful drive beat Zubas, Pasi managed to block with his chest on the line to deny him a hattrick. Zahavi and Avishai Cohen received their standing ovation as they were both replaced by Kiko Bondoso and Sheran Yeini with allowing the Portuguese midfielder and the club captain join in the celebrations.The full time whistle confirmed Maccabi were back to winning ways and the unbeaten run at derbies continue.
