Preview:
Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD15 ONE ZERO League match against Hapoel Hadera with a comfortable 10-point lead at the top of the table.
Four days after the 4-1 victory over Ashdod that extended the run of victories to 10 league victories in succession, Maccabi that are unbeaten in 13 league matches aim to continue their run.
Robbie Keane, who was handed a one-match-touchline-ban by the IFA Disciplinary court after his players were late on the pitch on three occasions – is replaced by his assistant Rory Delap. Keane, whose side host Maccabi Haifa at Bloomfield on Wednesday for a rescheduled MD7, made several changes from the side that beat Ashdod. Sheran Yeini made his first league start this season at right-back as the veteran captain led the team out and increased his total number of appearances to 552.
Enric Saborit also returned to the side and partnered Idan Nachmias as the two central defenders in front of Orlando Mosquera while Roy Revivo completed Maccabi’s back-four on the left.
Gabi Kanichowsky, who scored a goal and set up another against Ashdod replaced the injured Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role. Dor Peretz and Ido Shahar joined Kanichowsky as Maccabi’s midfield engine room. Kiko Bondoso who scored his debut Maccabi goal on Wednesday, kept his place on one wing with Yonatan Cohen on the opposite flank. Dor Turgeman, who was also amongst the scorers in Ashdod started upfront aiming to add to his tally of three league goals, allowing Eran Zahavi a much-needed rest.
On the bench, Keane named Roi Mishpati, Avishai Cohen, Eran Zahavi, Eyal Golasa, Ofir Davidzada, Yehuda Belay, Saied Abu Farchi, Ori Azu and Osher Davida.
First Half
Maccabi began the match on the front foot as Gabi Kanichowsky, Dor Peretz and Ido Shahar dominated the midfield. As Hadera packed the defense with five players, Maccabi struggled to find an opening early on. In the 13th minute the visitors created the first chance as Elad Madmon tested Orlando Mosquera with a powerful dipping shot which was equaled by the Panamanian keeper. Three minutes later, Hadera took the lead as Madmon’s header struck the best of the post, hit Mosquera and bounced in to give Hadera a surprising 1-0 lead.
Hadera almost caught Maccabi’s defense flat in the 27th minute as a dangerous counter attack was blocked by a last gasp Enric Saborit tackle. Maccabi hit back on the break at the opposite end as Yonatan Cohen’s cross forced Hadera’s keeper Guy Herman to a double save.
In the 36th minute Dor Turgeman created the time and space on the edge of the area, but the young forward has his effort blocked by a Hadera defender before Kiko Bondoso’s shot was also blocked. Four minutes later Dor Peretz tried his luck from long range only to see his powerful drive caught by Herman.
On the stroke of halftime, Maccabi were awarded a free kick after Kanichowsky was tripped on the edge of the area. Cohen stepped up to try and snatch a late equalizer but sent his shot to the wrong side of the post. The fourth official indicated a single minute of added time before his halftime whistle sent both teams to regroup in the dressing rooms.
Second Half
With Robbie Keane up in the stands, Rory Delap, made two changes at the restart as Osher Davida and Eran Zahavi came on for Bondoso and Cohen.
Zahavi almost had an immediate impact as he was released by Kanichowsky into the area in the 50th minute. But the veteran striker dragged his shot which rolled across the face of goal and out for a goal kick.
Maccabi continued to pile the pressure in a bid to grab an equalizer as four minutes later Roy Revivo’s dangerous cross was flicked by Idan Nachmias to Peretz whose close-range header bounced over the crossbar. A Zahavi header from another Revivo cross on 56 forced Herman to stretch himself and catch the ball. Less than 60 seconds later Turgeman charged into the area and sent a cross that rolled across the penalty box but none of Maccabi’s players could get a touch and convert the ball home. A minute after the hour mark Davida raced down the right wing, lost his man with one touch but sent his curling left foot shot wide.
In the 67th minute Maccabi were rewarded for their efforts as Revivo broke from the left and cut the ball back for Ido Shahar whose effort was blocked by Suliman Kulibali. Turgeman pounced on the rebound and drilled the ball in to level the score for his fourth league goal of the season.
Delap made his third substitution on 77 as Sheran Yeini bowed out to a standing ovation while Avishai Cohen came on with a fresh pair of legs for the closing stages.
Ofir Davidzada replaced Ido Shahar in the 87th minute as Delap made his fourth change with Revivo pushing further up the pitch. A minute later, Zahavi tried an overhead kick that sailed straight at the keeper. Maccabi continued pushing for a winner as Peretz released Davida but Philip Ipole’s last gasp tackle denied the Maccabi winger before he could snap his shot. Davida then blasted a shot from outside the area which Herman managed to catch on his goal-line. The referee added five minutes of added time as Maccabi tried desperately to score while Hadera sat deep around their penalty area.
The full-time whistle saw the spoils shared as Maccabi’s outstanding run of victories in succession has ended. Maccabi Haifa’s 2-1 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem cut Maccabi’s lead at the top to eight points as both sides meet for a top of the table clash at Bloomfield which was rescheduled from MD7.
