Preview:

Four days after beating Hapoel Be’ersheva 1-0 Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the rescheduled MD1 WINNER League match against Hapoel Jerusalem.

Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, made no less than seven changes from the side that won on Saturday as goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Raz Shlomo and midfielders Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz keeping their places. New signing Nemanja Stojic who made his debut appearance as a second half substitute on Saturday, partnered Shlomo at the heart of defense to make his first start. Roy Revivo on the left and Idan Nachmias at right-back completed Maccabi’s back-four in front of Mishpati. Nachmias was deputized to the right-back position in place of Sagiv Jehezkel who underwent surgery on his fractured cheekbone which would sideline him from several weeks.

Joris van Overeem returned to the anchorman role, right behind Kanichowsky and Peretz, to complete Maccabi’s midfield trio. Lazetic named Hisham Layous on one wing, with Brazilian winger, Wesley Patati handed his debut appearance in Maccabi’s colors on the opposite flank. Eran Zahavi who just like Patati was an unused substitute against Be’ersheva, led the line and team out wearing the captain’s armband.

On the bench Lazetic named Ofek Melika, Tyrese Asante, Dor Turgeman, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Issouf Sissokho, Ido Shahar, Nir Bitton and Osher Davida.

Prior to kick off Maccabi paid tribute to Matan Hozez who left the club to join Hapoel Jerusalem earlier this season having won 6 titles and scoring 11 goals in 111 appearances in all competitions

First Half

The early kick off match influenced the fans who gradually trickled into Bloomfield stadium, but it seemed to have affected Maccabi’s players took their time to dominate. Four minutes into the game, new Brazilian signing, Wesley Patati, could have celebrated his Maccabi debut with a goal as he stepped-up to take a free kick from near the byline. Maccabi’s players lined-up in the box, but Patati had something else on his mind as he sent a dipping cross that was tipped over the crossbar by Jerusalem goalkeeper Nadav Zamir.

Two minutes later, Idan Nachmias, who normally causes a threat from set-pieces, fired a shot on goal only for Zamir to equal the shot. Eran Zahavi, who led Maccabi’s attack, had an effort blocked on the edge of the area by a Jerusalem defender as did Patati minutes later.

The visitors came close in the 20th minute as Jelle Duin managed to ghost through Maccabi’s defense and get on the end of a free kick in the middle of the area. But with only Mishpati to beat, Duin, miscued his effort straight at the keeper. The thought of conceding must have shaken Maccabi’s players as they reached their best chance so far on 25. An exchange of passes deep inside Jerusalem’s half saw Joris van Overeem tee-up Dor Peretz whose powerful shot was saved by Zamir. Jerusalem’s keeper was quick on his feet to keep out Gabi Kanichowsky’s rebound as well to keep his goal locked.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 38th minute with Roy Revivo opening his account for the season. Layous managed to keep in a Zahavi which almost threatened to go out before cutting the ball back for Kanichowsky. The diminutive midfielder carved the visitors’ defense to release Revivo with the left-back surprising Zamir with his less dominant right foot as he buried the ball in the bottom near corner.

Patati who continued to look dangerous cutting inside from the right and onto his left foot whipped in another cross which eluded Jerusalem defense and keeper before bouncing off the base of the post.

Second half:

Raz Shlomo who felt his hamstring in the first half but stayed on, was replaced at the restart by Tyrese Asante. IN the 51st minute Van Overeem was booked by referee David Fuxman who also cautioned Nemanja Stojic three minutes later. Jerusalem had their claims for a penalty waived by the referee on 55 after Revivo collided with an opponent in the box. A minute later the visitors were reduced to 10 men after Yao Eloge was booked for a foul and picked another for dissent after clapping to protest the initial decision.

Six minutes after the hour mark, Lazetic reacted as he made his second change of the game introducing Elad Madmon for Layous who bowed out to a standing ovation. Patati had a powerful shot from inside the area saved by Zamir who punched the shot out. Despite their numerical disadvantage Jerusalem continued to try catch Maccabi off guard in transition. A last gasp Kanichowsky tackle ended one of those counter attacks as Maccabi’s defense was almost caught on 75. Three minutes later Lazetic reacted with a double substitution as Osher Davida came on for Patati while Dor Turgeman replaced Zahavi adding fresh legs for the closing stages.

But Jerusalem were back on level terms in the 84^th minute as they took an early free kick to catch Maccabi’s defense napping. Ohad Almagor charged down the right and sent a square ball that rolled across the face of goal before being slotted home at the far post by fellow substitute Yonatan Laish. Stojic almost restored Maccabi’s lead a minute later as his shot from outside the area beat Zamir but sailed to the wrong side of the post. Seconds after the fourth official indicated 7 minutes of added time, Mishpati was at fill stretch to push Hozez’s left foot shot over the bar.

Four minutes inside injury time however Maccabi scored the winner at the end of a spectacular team effort. Kanichowsky slipped the ball to Turgeman whose backheel flick released Revivo into the box before the left turned provider as he sent a square ball across the face of goal. Peretz couldn’t connect as the ball rolled towards the back post where Davida pounced on it to sweep in the winner. Issouf Sissokho came on for Dor Peretz shortly before the final whistle ended the contest with a third victory in three league matches.