Preview

Maccabi returned to Bloomfield for the first time since hosting a match in September for the MD12 league encounter against bottom of the table Hapoel Hadera.

Zarko Lazetic, who completed the one-match suspension he served during the victory over Maccabi Bnei Reineh on Monday also returned to the sidelines. Lazetic made several changes from the side that won at Reineh. Roi Mishpati kept his place in goal but Roy Revivo made his first start since injuring his knee against Ashdod earlier this season. Raz Shlomo and Nemaja Stojic kept their place at the heart of defense with Stav Lemkin completing Maccabi’s defensive line on the right. Issouf Sissokho returned to the anchorman role and Ido Shahar who started at right back against Reineh was named in midfield. Gabi Kanichowsky completed Maccabi’s midfield engine room while Dor Peretz was allowed to rest on the bench. Hisham Layous and Weslley Patati were named by Lazetic as the two wingers with Eran Zahavi leading the line and the team out with the captain’s armband.

On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Idan Nachmias, Tyrese Asante, Dor Turgeman, Joris vs Overeem, Elad Madmon, Henry Addo, Dor Peretz and Osher Davida.

First Half

A sea of colour and wall of noise welcomed Maccabi’s players on their return to Bloomfield. In the 5th Ido Shahar fell to the ground clutching his knee after blocking an opponent. Maccabi’s medical staff rushed to attend to the midfielder who recently recovered from a knee injury but after giving him the all clear he returned to the pitch. The decision proved itself within a minute as Shahar played his part in Maccabi’s opener in the 8th minute. Weslley Patati slipped the ball to Gabi Kanichowsky whose cut back reached Shahar. The midfielder didn’t make the best contact as he tempted to direct his shot on target before Eran Zahavi made no mistake as he slotted home the opener. Bloomfield stadium erupted as the veteran striker scored his first goal since the 2-1 league victory over Maccabi Netanya on October 6th. 

Minutes later, Patati tried his luck with a snap shot from the corner of the area, but the ball sailed high over the crossbar. In the 27th minute and Hadera were back on level terms against the run of play and in what seemed like their first attack. James Adeniyi was given the time and space to carry the ball half the length of the pitch before releasing Godsway Donyho who rifled a low drive that beat Roi Mishpati. Shahar came close to restore Maccabi’s lead on 38 as he managed to get on the back of a Kanichowsky cross but saw his close range header bounce over the crossbar. Two minutes later however Shahar got his goal as Patati sent a pinpoint cross from the right before the red- headed midfielder buried the ball home to make it 2-1 with his first league goal and 2nd in all competitions this season. 

Second half

With no changes after the break Maccabi began the second period period just like the first one – pressure on Hadera inside their half. Six minutes after the restart a series of flicks between Patati and Revivo left the full back right infront of goal but goalkeeper Ohad Levita spread himself and saved. Hadera struggled to clear the danger as Zahavi picked the ball near the corner of the area and sent a powerful dipping shot that narrowly cleared the crossbar.

Five minutes after the hour mark Lazetic made two substitutions as Shahar and Zahavi bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced by Dor Peretz and Dor Turgeman. Lazetic made two more changes as Elad Madmon replaced Hisham Layous while Osher Davida came on Patati on 77. In the 83rd minute Maccabi were reduced to 10 men as referee Idan Leiba was called to the screen before Issouf Sissokho was shown the red card for a foul on Lior Rokah. In the 90th minute Revivo was given his standing ovation as he was replaced by Idan Nachmias for the five minutes of injury.

The match ended in the most dramatic and controvercial manner. Hadera were awarded a free kick before an attempt of a clearance reached Ibrahim Sangare whose volley was saved by a combination of Mishpati and the post. Maccabi charged forward for a counter attack and Kanichowsky squared to Davida who fired home. But referee Idan Leiba was called to the screen, disallowed Davida’s goal and awarded Hadera a penalty at the opposite end for an alleged foul in the area. Sangare stepped up and had his penalty saved by Mishpati who tried pushing the ball away but it came off Gilad Abramov and rolled in to end the match in a 2-2 draw.

Eran Zahavi marked his return to the starting line up by ending a long goal drought as he scored for the first time since October. Maccabi returned to Bloomfield but dropped two valuable points as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Hapoel Hadera. “We managed to get ourselves in trouble” Zahavi said before explaining: “We conceded an unnecessary red card (Sissokho) and the decisions against us were soft. I felt as the foul for the penalty against us was too easy and if that was a penalty then there should be 20 penalties in every game. It seemed very easy to take decisions against us and that is a shame. We must have killed that game faster as we were in total control which is annoying as we dropped valuable points here”.

On the goal he scored which ended a two month goal drought, Zahavi added: “It is always fun to score and help the team. It is a pity we couldn’t celebrate that goal with a victory which is the most important thing. But I am always happy to be on the pitch and do the best I can.”

On the fact he didn’t play as much as he was used to, Zahavi said: “I am not going to lie and say that this is easy. But my role is to do the best I possibly can in every training and at every match. I am only in control in trying to be positive and doing the best I possibly can. The coach’s role is to decide how long I will play, when and where. Obviously there are spells when I feel that I deserve to play more as every player feels that” he added, “But you keep focusing on me more so please stop analyzing every little move I make. I am here to help my team and my club both in training and at matches”.