This moment has been dreamed of in Kiryat Shalom for six years. Just when the pressure from the lukewarm ability in the previous games began to seep into Maccabi Tel Aviv, Eran Zahavi arrived, finding the back of the net only 17 minutes into the renewed debut and scoring an impressive 0:2 against Aris Thessaloniki in the third round of the Conference League qualifiers.
Although the Greeks arrived at Bloomfield this evening (Thursday) with a battery of intriguing names mainly in the front, the host was the one who took the initiative from the start and her superiority bore fruit 29 minutes later. Gabi Kanikovski took advantage of a careless loss of the ball by the Greeks in the center of the field, raced forward and left it to Djorja Jovanovic who found the net and made it 0:1.
In the 67th minute came the moment (the first of two tonight) that the yellow fans were waiting for. Eran Zahavi replaced Brendley Kovas, and together with Oskar Gloch and Stifa Fritza, the replacements reawakened the host. Zahavi almost scored within half a minute, but in the 84th minute it happened.
A break through found the number 7 in yellow, who found the net and shook all of Bloomfield. Vladan Ivić’s team benefited from several saves by Daniel Peretz and a huge miss by the guest in extra time to keep a clean sheet, which will give them a significant advantage for the rematch next week in Thessaloniki.
the vehicles
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Daniel Peretz, Andre Geraldesh, Nir Biton (Idan Nachmias, 62), Sharan Yeni, Enrik Saborit, Dan Glazer, Yoris Van Overeem (Avi Rieken, 91), Gabi Kanikowski, Brandley Kovas (Eran Zahavi, 67), Matan Hozaz (Oscar Gluch, 62), Djorja Jovanovic (Stipa Fritza, 67).
Aris Thessaloniki: Julián, Salem Embakta, Jakub Bravac, Fabiano, Marvin Piersman (Bradley Maziko, 81), Brian Dabo (Papa Sheikh, 81), Sheik Dokura, Daniel Mancini (Luis Palma, 63), Matteo Garcia (Mano Garcia, 51), Juan Itorba (Rafael Camacho, 63), Andre Gray.
the progress of the game
9th minute: Yeni sent a great deep ball to Kanikovski who stopped with his chest and tried to bounce over Julián, but the Aris goalkeeper deflected.
12th minute: Julian caught the ball after a strong kick by Saborit from the edge of the area, but he dropped the ball and Hozuz took over. A Maccabi Tel Aviv player stood with his back to the goal, and was unable to create a second chance in the attack of the yellows.
19th minute: Itorba raced and left the ball to Mancini, who sent a strong and flat kick to the frame and was stopped by Peretz.
Minute 23: Geraldes found Jovanovic in the box, the striker kicked with a touch but Julián deflected.
29th minute: Goal! Kanikowski took advantage of an inaccurate pass from the Greeks and raced forward. He then left the ball to Jovanovic, who with a flat and precise kick sent the ball into the far corner. 0:1 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Minute 44: A great attack by Aris ended at the feet of Mancini. The Argentinian kicked hard to the far corner, but the header was great for the corner.
49th minute: Kanikowski made a sophisticated pass to Hozze between the two defenders, but the latter’s kick was blocked by Julian.
59th minute: Nir Biton received the ball on the threshold of the center of the field, moved forward a little and launched a strong and flat kick from a distance that narrowly missed the crossbar.
67th minute: The moment Maccabi Tel Aviv fans have been waiting for so long. Zahavi entered the renewed premiere instead of Kovas, Jovanovich was also replaced and in his place Fritza came up.
68th minute: Zahavi needed only half a minute to get the first dangerous chance. Geraldesh the player from the wing, the new striker – Yeshan was left alone in the area and hit the frame, Julian the header. Gloch then also kicked hard towards the goal, but found the outside net.
69th minute: The new substitute Fritza was left free in front of Julián, but was stopped when he tried to pass him.
75th minute: A short corner by Aris reached Camacho at the edge of the box. The substitute kicked, and after the ball also hit Geraldesh on the way to the frame, Peretz saved the ball from the connections.
78th minute: Van Overeem left the golden ball inside the box, but number 7 in yellow kicked to the left outside the frame.
84th minute: Goal! Pritza raced and left Zazafi, who from the edge of the box flatly penned to the bar and in. A perfect start to the comeback, 0:2 to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Minute 90+5: Huge luck for Maccabi Tel Aviv deep in extra time. Sheikh left Camacho in front of an empty goal inside the five-yard box, but the latter kicked into the sky.