Pre Game
In a bid to put the defeat on the opening day of the season to Bnei Sachnin behind them, Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the first home game of the season against Maccabi Petah Tikva.
The two week international break gave Maccabi’s coach Patrick van Leeuwen some time to work with the squad that was bolstered by the new signings of Gabi Kanichowsky and Brandley Kuwas. The diminutive midfielder who grew-up at Maccabi’s Youth Academy but returned to the club from Maccabi Netanya was given a chance to make his second debut as he was named by Patrick van Leeuwen in the starting line-up. Kuwas on the other hand, was named amongst the substitutes waiting for his chance to make a first impression in the Israeli league.
Daniel Peretz, who was in goal for Israel’s Under 21’s in the two victories over Hungary and Poland returned to protect Maccabi’s goal. Idan Nachmias and Luis Hernandez were the two central defenders in front of Peretz, while Andre Geraldes and Enric Saborit completed the back four on the right and left respectively. Dan Glazer led the team out with the captain’s armband as Eden Shamir partnered him in the midfield engine room while Kanichowsky completed Dan Biton on his second home debut completed the trio. Upfront, Kanichowsky was named on one wing while Eylon Alomog on the other as van Leeuwen named Stipe Perica for his home debut to lead the attack.
First Half
The match began with both sides trying to breach their opponents’ defense without much success as Lameck Benda fired over in the 11th minute before Andre Geraldes did the same a minute later.
In the 20th minute, Dan Biton tested Arik Yanko with a left foot shot from 20 meters only to see the Petah Tikva custodian collect the ball. Three minutes later, a perfectly weighed Gabi Kanichowsky ball into the box was nodded down by Biton into the path of Idan Nachmias who sent a powerful half volley over the crossbar. Maccabi continued to press in the 24th minute as a Petah Tikva attempt of a clearance fell to Eylon Almog whose shot was blocked. Less than sixty seconds later, Enric Saborit released Biton into the area before the midfielder fired his close range effort into the side netting.
Right on the half hour mark the deadlock was finally broken as a Biton cross reached Kanichowsky whose volley was blocked before Stipe Perica pounced on the rebound and slotted home to open his account.
In the 36 minute Van Leeuwen was forced to make his first change as Saborit limped off with a injury to his Achiles and was replaced by Ofir Davidzada.
On the stroke of halftime Petah Tikva had their claims for a penalty waved by referee Gal Leibovic after Benda fell inside the penalty area. Inside injury time however, Maccabi came close to double the score as a Biton corner was headed by Nachmias towards the near post before Luis Hernandez missed the target from point blank range.
Second Half
Shortly after the restart, Perica could have doubled his tally as Davidzada picked him with a clever through ball but the tall Croatian striker who chested the ball was let down by his touch allowing Petah Tikva’s defense to clear. Maccabi’s defense was almost caught by suprise after an attacking corner in the 50th minute which led to a counter attack that was cleared by a last gasp Nachmias tackle. Six minutes later however, the visitors were back on level terms as Benda rose to direct his header past Peretz from close range to make it 1-1. Van Leeuwen reacted almost instantly with two changes as Matan Hozez replaced Almog while Osama Khalaila came in for Perica.
Ben Reichert who was introduced at the start of the second half for Nico Olsak was booked and and received a chorus of boos for a rough challenge on Dan Glazer.
A head collision with Eden Shamir saw Petah Tikva’s central defender Or Balorian forced off to receive treatment for a nose bleed, as this was Shamir’s final contribution onnthe night. Van Leeuwen made his final two changes as Sheran Yeini came in for Shamir while Avi Rikan replaced Biton for the final nine minutes.
Despite six minutes of added time, Petah Tikva managed to cling on and salvage a point at the final whistle.
