Preview
Maccabi arrived at the Netanya stadium to face Maccabi Haifa in the Toto Cup Final for a repeat of last season’s final. As the current holders, Maccabi will aim to retain the trophy which was won last season at the same venue in a penalty shoot out after a 0-0 draw at the end of 90 minutes.
Maccabi’s Head Coach Zarko Lazetic made three changes from the side that recorded a dramatic 3-2 victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva all of the in defense. Roi Mishpati kept his place in goal while Raz Shlomo came in to partner Nemanja Stojic as the two central defenders at the heart of defense. Idan Nachmias slotted in at right-back while Sagiv Jehezkel who completed his one match touchline ban completed the defensive four on the left. Joris van Overeem in the anchorman sat behind Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz who led the team out with the captain’s armband to complete Maccabi’s midfield trio. Osher Davida on one wing and Weslley Patati on the other supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation while Dor Turgeman led the line as the striker upfront.
On the bench, Lazetic named goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Roy Revivo, Tyrese Asante, Eran Zahavi, Elad Madmon, Henry Addo, Issouf Sissokho and Ido Shahar.
First Half
After a nervous start Haifa seemed to have drawn first blood in the 11th minute after a counter attack resulted with Dia Saba beating Roi Mishpati with a powerful shot from the edge of the area. But Haifa’s celebrations were shortlived as VAR called referee to tbe screen after spotting a foul on Gabi Kanichowsky in the build up for the goal. As Maccabi were awarded a free kick at the opposite end Weslley Patati tried his luck from long range but saw his effort pushed away by Shareef Keouf. In the 22nd minute Dor Turgeman conceded an foul and a yellow card for a foul on Dolev Haziza near the corner of the area. But Maccabi’s defense managed to deal with the free kick and clear the danger.
Maccabi had to claims for a penalty waived by referee Snir Levy after Sagiv Jehezkel was tripped in the box by Kenny Saif and minutes later Turgeman suffered the same fate. But on both occasions VAR didn’t intervene either adding further anger to the Maccabi bench and fans in the stands.
second Half
In the 52nd minute Dolev Haziza dribbled into the box and was tripped by Patati before VAR called the referee to the screen. Haifa were awarded a penalty and Saba stepped up but blasted the spot kick against the post. In the 59th minute, Kanichowsky fired a right foot shot from 25 metres that sailed over the crossbar. Two minutes after the hour mark Maccabi were back on level terms thanks to a spectacular splo effort by Patati. Kanichowsky slipped the ball to Patati before the Brazilian wizard spun around fellow countryman Pedrao and fire home with his right. Lazetic reacted with a double substitution as he introduced Roy Revivo and Issouf Sissokho for Joris van Overeem and Davida. In the 67th minute the comeback was complete as Sissokho fed Peretz who drove the ball forward before blasting a low shot that put Maccabi infront on 67.
Keouf kept Haifa in the game as he was at full stretch to keep out a Jehezkel header that was making it’s way in. In the 77th minute Maccabi increased their lead to two goals with Peretz grabbing his second on the night this time beating Keouf from inside the box to make it 3-1.
Turgeman bowed out to a standing ovation as he was replaced in the 86th minute by Elad Madmon.
