Preview
Maccabi arrived at the Netanya stadium for the MD34 WINNER League match against sixth placed Maccabi Netanya. With three matches still left to play, Zarko Lazetic’s side have 71 points and are neck and neck with Hapoel Be’ersheva with only two goals separating between the two sides.
Lazetic made three changes from the side which was held to a 1-1 draw by Be’ersheva at Bloomfield as Tyrese Asante stepped into the right side of defense at the expense of Idan Nachmias. Stav Lemkin and Nemanja Stojic lined up as the two central defenders in front of goalkeeper Simon Sluga while Roy Revivo completed Maccabi’s back four at left back. Issouf Sissokho replaced Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role to join Gabi Kanichowsly and Dor Peretz as the midfield trio. The one match touchline ban Weslley Patati is serving forced Lazetic to another change as Dor Turgeman moved to the wing with Osher Davida on the opposite flank. Eran Zahvi led the line and the team out with the captain’s armband as the 37-year-old striker who scored a brace when both teams met at Bloomfield will seek to add to his 10 goals in all competitions.
On the bench alongside Roi Mishpati, Lazetic named Idan Nachmias, Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Joris van Overeem, Elad Madmon, Henry Addo, Ofir Davidzada and Ido Shahar.
First Half
Backed by around 7000 traveling fans who filled the entire east stand Maccabi began the match with purpose and intention. Maccabi’s pressure on Netanya pinned the hosts inside their own half making it difficult for them to even cross the halfway line. A foul on Dor Peretz near the corner of the area allowed Eran Zahavi a fiest sight on goal but his free kick sailed high over the crossbar. Maccabi continued to press forward as Dor Turgeman pressed Netanya’s defenders while Peretz, Issouf Sissokho and Gabi Kanichowsky dominated the centre of the park. In the 10th minute Maccabi were rewarded for their efforts as the east stand was sent into a state of delirium. Kanichowsky fed Osher Davida down the right before the pacey winger cut the ball for Zahavi whose shot deflected off a defender to wrong foot Omer Nir’on, sail into the far corner and put Maccabi infront.
Right on the half hour mark Netanya were back on level terms as Fredy Vargas picked the ball on the edge of the area before cutting inside and curling a left foot shot that beat Simon Sluga and found the top corner. Three minutes later Davida had a powerful drive from inside the area which was punched away by Nir’on. In the 36th minute Heriberro Tavares fouled Roy Revivo just inside the penalty area before referee Yigal Frid didn’t hesitate as he awarded a penalty. Turgeman stepped up to take the spot kick, kept his calm and swept the ball home to restore Maccabi’s lead. Nemanja Stojic was booked on 39 for a tackle on Vargas near the corner flag. The Serbian central defender recovered quickly to head away Maor Levy’s resulting free kick.
A clever Stav Lemkin pass on 42 carved Netanya’s defense open to find Zahavi who released Perez but the midfielder’s effort lacked power and was easily collected by Nir’on. Zahavi and Mohamed Djetei were both cautioned for a tussle in the 44th minute as tempers seemed to flare.
Second Half
With no changes to either side during the interval Maccabi emerged for the second half determined to increase the lead as they began the second period with blitz. In the 50th minute Maccabi’s pressure on Netanya’s defenders saw Zahavi feed Peretz who slipped the ball in for Davida. With only Nir’on to beat Davida slid the ball under the keeper from close range to score Maccabi’s third. Netanya looked startled as two minutes later the blitz continued with Turgeman wasted a chance by opting to shoot when passing to one of three teammates would have been a better decision. But within a minute Kanichowsky sent a cross which Zahavi flicked with his head past Nir’on for his second on the night and Maccabi’s fourth.
In the 67th minute Peretz came close to score one of the best goals this season as an amazing team effort with a series of passes and flicks that left Peretz infront of goal. But the 29-year-old midfielder who missed a crucial chance against Beersheva last week side-footed his shot wide of the target. In the 70th minute Kanichowsky added another assist to his season tally as his cut back was rifled into the top corner by Zahavi for his hatrick and Maccabi’s fifth. A minute later Netanya were reduced to 19 men following a rough tackle on Turgeman. In the 76th minute Itay Ben Shabat fouled Peretz on the edge of the area and before Zahavi could take the free kick Frid was called to the VAR and the Netanya defender was sent off as well. Lazetic made a double change as Lemkin and Sissokho both bowed out and were replaced by Raz Shlomo and Joris van Overeem.
Kanuchowsky came close on 82 as his low drive following good work by Davida but Nir’on managed to save with his feet before catching the ball. Lazetic made three more changes as Peretz, Davida and Zahavi all bowed out to a standing ovation as Ido Shahar, Sagiv Jehezkel and Elad Madmon were introduced for the closing stages.
In the 88th minute Nir’on pulled a reflex save to deny Nemanja Stojic’s close range header before Shahar’s rebound was blocked by Karem Jaaber. The fourth official signalled seven minutes of additional time as Maccabi were given time to increase their lead even further. Inside injury time a Revivo square ball was slotted home from close range by Stojic to increase the lead to 6-1.
The full time whistle sent the players to celebrate the victory and thank the fans for their contribution. With Be’ersheva beating Maccabi Haifa 4-1 to keep the title race going, Maccabi’s next match at Sammy Ofer will be vital
