The main game of the next the 26th round and an important one that could decide if Maccabi Tel Aviv has any slim chances for the title and a game that could consoslidate the greens at top spot with 4 rounds remaining for the playoffs.
I voted for Maccabi Tel Aviv not only because I am their fan, but because the team will go to Kiriat Eliezer without pressure, will play on counter attack which is the formation that suits better the players we have in the team and also because this season Maccabi has played very well in the big games.
The inclusion of Tamir Cahlon, Emanuel Mayuke and Yuval Avidor and the benching of Ilya Yavruyan shows that Maccabi will have a very speedy team against Haifa.
Certainly it will!! Not only because of this season, but already regarding next season. Contracts are already beginning to be discussed. Nimni was confirmed head coach for another season, Iliev will sign as well. At Haifa, three foreigners were confirmed and Golasa signed a 4 year deal.
A small setback in the Maccabi camp this Friday. Ilya Yavruyan and Ronald Raldes had a physical fight today in training. The Bolivian defender made a strong tackle on the Armenian who didn´t like it and tried to hit back with a punch.
Coach Avi Nimni came to separate both and oblied them to shake hands, but the Armenian refused and started to curse the defender. Nimni didn´t like this attitude and expelled the player from practice and from the squad that will travel to Haifa on Monday.
It is not clear what will be the punishment given from the Maccabi board.
Not only internal fighting, but a stupid attitude from Emanuel Mayuke in the beginning of the game cost us a result at Kiriat Eliezer. The player got sent off after hitting Dekel Keinan foolishly.
Maccabi stayed most part of the game with 10 men and conceded only towards the end after controversial pentalty converted by Arbeitman.
The talking and repercussion of the game yesterday still continues. At Maccabi Tel Aviv there are still many complains regarding the penalty given in favor of the league leaders.
IFA decided to bring a German referee, Manuel Graefe to this game and he didn´t escape of controversy. At Haifa of course they defended the postition, but many Israeli referees a bit angered of the fact Luzon brought a foreigner to whistle a big match harshly criticized Graefe.
Do you guys think it was a good decision to bring a foreign referee?