Ofek Melika left the Tel Aviv disappointed as his penalty save in the first half wasn’t enough to earn his side three points. Roy Korine’s late equalizer denied Maccabi a victory in the Tel Aviv to ensure the points are shared.

The 21-year-old keeper had an excellent performance in goal which included a first half penalty save from Stav Turiel, said after the match: “We are definitely coming away frustrated, but we have another important match on Wednesday. We will get back to Kiryat Shalom, prepare ourselves again, and get our bodies ready.”

On the performance in the derby, Melika added: “First of all, playing away like this with Hapoel’s fans isn’t easy, but I think we fought and gave everything until the very last second. Maybe our level was a bit below par today, but I think we fought until the end, and it’s a shame we couldn’t hold on for those final three minutes.”

Melika, who saved a crucial penalty when both sides met in the Cup earlier this season, and saved another penalty from Omer Atzili against Beitar Jerusalem, said on keeping out Turiel’s spot kick: “We simply did the work and the preparation like we do for every game and every penalty taker. I got a tip from home, and I’m happy I managed to save it.”

Ahead of Wednesday’s home match against Maccabi Haifa, that inflicted Beitar a 3-0 defeat, Melika said: “We’ll get back to Kiryat Shalom tomorrow, do the recovery treatments, another light session, have a good week of training, come in with a positive approach and good spirit, and arrive at the game properly prepared”.

Preview

Four days after their emphatic 4-0 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the WINNER League MD32 local derby against arch city rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv. Six points separate the two sides in the table as Maccabi are third with 61 points while Hapoel are fourth with 55. After the first derby of the season on MD7 was abandoned and Maccabi were awarded a 3-0 victory by default, the second meeting was in the State Cup round of 16 which ended 1-1 before Maccabi advanced on penalties. Hapoel won the MD20 league fixture 2-1 to end Maccabi’s 12-year-long unbeaten run before Dor Peretz earned Maccabi a 1-0 victory at the start of the Playoffs.

Kenny Miller, who was appointed interim Head Coach following the departure of Ronny Deila, is far from short of experience in derbies as the 46-year-old Scotsman featured and scored for both Rangers and Celtic in the Old Firm.

Miller, kept an almost unchanged team to the side that beat Peta Tikva in midweek except for Elad Madmon who replaced Saied Abu Farchi upfront.

Ofek Melika started in goal behind a defense that was unchanged as Ali Camara and Raz Shlomo lined up at the heart of defense and Tyrese Asante and Roy Revivo as the full backs. With Issouf Sissokho serving his second suspension, Itamar Noy, Ido Shahar and Dor Peretz were Maccabi’s midfield trio. On the wings, Miller kept Helio Varela and Emir Sahiti with Madmon leading the side.

On the bench, Miller named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Heitor dos Santos, Kervin Andrade, Sagiv Jehezkel, Kristijan Belic, Noam Ben Harosh, Ben Lederman, Saied Abu Farchi, and Itai Ben Hamo.

First Half

Pyrotechnics display from both ends of the stadium caused a delay to kick-off as the match eventually got underway seven minutes later than originally scheduled. Hapoel had the ball in the back of the net as a Maccabi lost possession inside their half before Loizos Loizou charged forward and released Emmanuel Boateng who went down after a tackle by Tyrese Asante. Stav Turiel latched on the loose ball, rounded Ofek Melika, and blasted home. But Hapoel’s celebrations were short-lived as referee Snir Levy spotted an Asante foul on Boateng before and awarded a penalty. Turiel stepped up to take the spot kick, but Melika dived to his right and pulled a stunning save before making another save to deny Doron Leidner’s rebound and keep his goal locked. In the 14th minute Asante lost possession near the corner of the area and Itamar Noy gave a foul which Turiel crossed to the back post. Fernand Mayembo rose above Maccabi’s defense but guided his header over Melika’s goal.

In the 25th minute the deadlock was finally broken as Roy Revivo received the ball inside Maccabi’s half on the left, skipped past a challenge, and cut towards the center circle. The 22-year-old left back who already had 11 assists to his name, carved Hapoel’s defense with a pinpoint perfectly weighed pass into the path of Dor Peretz. Maccabi’s captain controlled the pass before drilling in an accurate shot which beat Assaf Tzur to take his tally to 15 league goals. Ido Shahar was cautioned by the referee for dissent and Asante joined him shortly after as the Dutch defender was booked for a clumsy tackle on 41.

Second half

Kenny Miller was forced to make a double change at the restart as Revivo who suffered a back injury was replaced by Sagiv Jehezkel at left back. Shahar who carried a booking was replaced by Kristijan Belic in midfield. Four minutes into the second half Hapoel came close as Loizou was left unmarked at the far post, but Melika pulled a fingertip save to keep out the header of the diminutive Cypriot.

Hapoel looked dangerous as Turiel blasted a left foot drive which cleared the crossbar on 54. Loizou also tried his luck from outside the box two minutes later, but Melika collected. A minute before the hour mark, Miller made another double change as Emir Sahiti bowed out and was replaced by Kervin Andrade while Saied Abu Farchi came on for Elad Madmon.

Hapoel were back on level terms in the 87th minute as substitute Roy Korine received the ball outside the box before curling a left foot shot beyond Melika’s reach to make it 1-1. Miller made his fifth and final change as Heitor dos Santos came on for Raz Shlomo in the 90th minute before the fourth official raised his sign for 5 minutes of additional time. Mor Buskila rifled a shot from inside the box, but Melika managed to punch out for a corner that was cleared. The full-time whistle ended the contest and as the points were shared tension was high with both sets of players exchanging some greetings on the way to the dressing rooms.

Roy Revivo delivered two assists to take his tally to 11 this season and added a goal to lead Maccabi to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva. The 22-year-old full back related to the complex few days the club underwent since the defeat to Beitar Jerusalem and the departure of Head Coach Ronny Deila: “We went through three not-so-simple days. To be honest, it was a bit frustrating because Ronny was a coach who was very connected to the players and many liked him.” Despite that, the defender emphasized the squad’s professionalism: “Football is dynamic, a lot of things happen and we need to move forward and play. There’s no choice.”

On work under Kenny Miller, who stepped up from the role of assistant coach to interim head coach, and led the team to victory, Revivo said: “I really like Kenny regardless of the situation. I think he has that passion that makes us want to fight for him and give everything on the pitch, and I think we saw that today.”

Shortly before the halftime whistle Tyrese Asante was assisted by Revivo for Maccabi’s second goal, as he revealed: “He told me he wanted me to just touch the ball and then he would shoot. I told him ‘no’, because I saw the space open-up and decided in that moment that he should shoot. I know he has a good strike and I’m happy for him.”

When asked about his attacking contribution Revivo remained modest: “Thank God, I try to help the team. I am a defender, and assists and goals are my bonus.”

Now, the focus of Maccabi is already on the big derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Saturday: “We prepare for the derby like any other match, maybe even a bit more, because, like you said, a derby is a derby, and that’s everything.”

Preview

Three days after the 4-2 defeat away to Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD31 WINNER League home match against Hapoel Petah Tikva. After 48 turbulent hours that saw Ronny Deila depart and Kenny Miller take charge as interim coach, Maccabi will aim to bounce back and return to winning ways. The defeat to Beitar, Maccabi’s sixth of the season kept the team third in the table with 58 points, eight adrift of second place Hapoel Be’ersheva and nine behind leaders Beitar.

Miller, welcomed back from suspension Ali Camara and Osher Davida but will be forced to be without Issouf Sissokho who was sent off at Teddy and will also miss Saturday’s Tel Aviv derby. Camara returned to the starting line up at the heart of defense as the Guinean central defender replaced Heitor dos Santos to partner Raz Shlomo. Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive line in front of goalkeeper Ofek Melika. Itamar Noy stepped into the anchorman role replacing the suspended Sissokho and behind Maccabi’s two leading scorers Ido Shahar and Dor Peretz. Helio Varela and Emir Sahiti were named by Miller as the two wingers with Saied Abu Farchi leading the line.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishapti and dos Santos, Miller named Kervin Andrade, Sagiv Jehezkel, Kristijan Belic, Elad Madmon, Noam Ben Harush, Ben Lederman and Osher Davida.

First Half

Maccabi couldn’t have wished for a better start as they took the lead after 70 seconds and in the first time they entered Petah Tikva’s box. Saied Abu Farchi released Emir Sahiti down the right before the Kosovar winger sent a delicate chip which was nodded home by Dor Peretz. Petah Tikva’s keeper Omer Katz didn’t get a chance but was forced to pick the ball out of the net with his first touch. Peretz on the other hand celebrated his 14th league goal and 17 in all competitions this season.

Peretz was inches away from scoring a second within a couple of minutes while Abu Farchi also didn’t connect onto a ball which would have left him in a great position to score. On the stroke of halftime Sahiti latched on a Yonatan Cohen sloppy back pass before being fouled on the edge of the area by Itay Rotman. Yoav Mizrahi awarded Maccabi a free kick before a well drilled set piece resulted with Maccabi’s second. Ido Shahar jumped over the ball and Revivo rolled it into the path of Tyrese Asante whose low drive was spilled by Katz to double Maccabi’s lead. Asante, who scored at this exact minute against Beitar celebrated a second goal in three days and fourth in all competitions while Revivo added another assist to reach a remarkable 10 in the league alone.

Second Half

No changes were made by either side after the interval as the second half resumed with Maccabi continuing to dominate. Time after time Sahiti, Varela and Revivo kept feeding Abu Farchi and Peretz with balls but none resulting with a clear chance. Abu Farchi carved Petah Tikva’s defense with a through ball to Peretz but the visitors’ managed to clear the danger. Shortly after, the 19-year-old striker sent a square ball that rolled across the face of goal but none of his teammates was able to connect. Right on the hour mark Peretz had a sight on goal as the captain pulled the trigger, but Katz managed to equal his effort and punch the ball away. Miller made a double substitution a minute later as he introduced Sagiv Jehezkel and Elad Madmon for Raz Shlomo and Abu Farchi.

Jehezkel stepped into the right back role with Asante moving across the defense to center-back. Madmon who replaced Abu Farchi almost made an immediate impact as Peretz played him in, but with only Katz to beat, the Maccabi forward saw his shot saved by Petah Tikva’s keeper. Maccabi had the ball in the back of the net on 66 after Peretz tapped in Revivo’s square ball from the goalmouth. But the referee assistant raised his flag for offside and the goal was disallowed denying both Peretz and Revivo a goal and an assist. Miller made another double change in the 73rd minute as Sahiti and Varela both bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced by Kervin Andrade and Osher Davida. Madmon came even closer on 75 as he reacted first to a ball deep inside Petah Tikva’s box, but his attempt of a volley crashed against the base of the post and rolled wide.

Davida should have scored in the 80th minute after intercepting a pass and charging forward through the middle. Katz managed to save the winger’s shot with his foot and as his defense failed to clear the danger Maccabi were awarded a corner. Shahar floated the resulting corner into the box where Revivo rose above the visitors’ defense to head in Maccabi’s third on the night. This was Shahar’s final contribution as he was replaced by Kristijan Belic in the 84^th minute. Two minutes later Madmon finally got his goal as Revivo picked the ball from Andrade broke into the box and added another assist for Madmon who swept his effort to seal the 4-0 victory. Maccabi’s 18^th victory of the season takes their tally to 61 points as attention now turns to Saturday’s Tel Aviv derby against arch city rivals Hapoel.