Summary of the Toto Cup final: Maccabi Tel Aviv - Maccabi Haifa 0:0 (2:4 on penalties)/Sport1
In the 2014/15 season, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa met in the final of the Toto Cup.
Pako Eastern came up in a missing lineup without Eran Zahabi and still managed to pull off a 1:2 victory, the first of three titles in a historic season.
Masai Dago thought in a similar way last night in Netanya.
He came up in the secondary with a soft link, giving his hottest star a rest.
Dego did not lose in 90 minutes, but in the bottom line he was less successful.
The Maccabi Haifa coach explained at the end that there were constraints.
It is acceptable and legitimate, both teams arrived physically broken, but the fact that Maccabi Haifa missed an opportunity for another knock-out and that mentally this game was more important for Maccabi Tel Aviv cannot be ignored.
Just yesterday it was written here that Robbie Keane's team lacked energy.
This time she mustered everything she had.
For a goal during a game it was not enough, for a first degree it was - and this degree and especially its timing should not be underestimated.
Collect the rest of the energy from the floor.
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrate/Dani Maron
Let's start with the negative.
Everything that didn't work in the last few weeks was stuck this time too.
Maccabi Tel Aviv does a lot of right things until it reaches the square, and then it again succumbs to shocking decision-making.
Avishai Cohen's elevations will never meet the head of an opposing player, Joris Van Overeem is in constant decline after an excellent start, Eran Zahavi misses from situations that a month ago would have entered and explosive attacks are not in the team's lexicon as long as Milson stays in the Ivory Coast.
What was it?
motivation.
Maccabi Tel Aviv fought, wanted and above all provided a clean game in defense and control of the midfield.
It wasn't pretty, it was important, especially after the race after Lior Casa that ended in a crash.
You have to win the Toto Cup final, and you have to beat Maccabi Haifa in the Toto Cup final, these are two different things in purpose and essence.
The joy at the end was deep and mostly authentic, a huge relief evident on the face of a stressed club that had just lost a 10-point lead at the top in four games.
Beyond a momentary jolt of energy, it doesn't mean too much, at least for now.
Maccabi Tel Aviv will not be able to survive at the top without a significant reinforcement.
Its rotation is too short, the signs of fatigue are evident and one or two injuries to key players will put it in a very problematic place later on.
She can draw encouragement from the fact that Maccabi Haifa's flashy acquisition has yet to get involved, but with Rafalov and Ali Muhammad in the opposition lineup, it will look completely different on February 5.
Either way, she shouldn't have lost yesterday.
And she was up to the task.
It's okay to be confused
Advance to Tami4's water bars and enjoy two months of experience
To the full article
What worked for Paco worked less for him.
Dago/Danny Maron
A very strange season is going on for Roi Mishpeti.
He came from Maccabi Haifa as a replacement for Daniel Peretz, won the team shirt when the latter left for Bayern, and then they signed Orlando Muscara on his head, who later seemed to push Mesef to the bench.
Two mediocre games with goals that were the direct fault of the Panamanian, one against Hapoel Hadera and the other against Maccabi Haifa, brought him back to the goal.
When someone is said to be "on parole", it means a reduction in status or an expected punishment.
It's the other way around with Mishvi, he's a second goalkeeper on par, and somehow becomes the first goalkeeper again.
His method of punishment is reversed.
It often happens that a goalkeeper takes the place of his competitor, but after Peretz's departure, Maccabi Tel Aviv opted for a less acceptable ideology in the Premier League: permanent competition, the best will play, sometimes will be replaced regardless of ability.
There are many disadvantages to this - after all, a goalkeeper needs to gain confidence, and confidence is gained through playing minutes and stability - and there is also an advantage: you know that a critical mistake you made may cost you in the next game, but you may just as well return to the lineup afterwards.
Last night's ability, especially in penalties, may have broken the glass ceiling in my mouth.
During the two seasons, he became the fans' favorite, at least for one evening, and increased his credit limit.
This still does not guarantee him a place in the team, it does indicate a tough character and the ability to maintain concentration even in a difficult situation for any player, especially a goalkeeper.
His absence will be felt.
Sherry/Danny Maron
Professionally, Charon Sherry was not the same player at Maccabi Haifa this season.
The personal circumstances gnawed at him along with a natural withdrawal of ability and the saga of the kidnapped sign damaged his image.
Even last night he was weak and the hesitant penalty he kicked was the anti-icing on the cream of departure.
So why does Maccabi Haifa have reason to fear his departure, besides the fact that even in a weak game one of his actions can make a difference?
Because Sherry in the club is much more than a football player.
His presence as a person and as an actor was felt.
When you think of Maccabi Haifa of the Champions League, you first think of him - the goal against Paris Saint-Germain, the wide, childish smile and the love that he spread and returned to in a big way.
With the exception of Miguel Vitor, there has not been a foreigner with such an influence here in recent years.
Maccabi Haifa does not suffer from a lack of leadership and presence in the dressing room, but Sherry's departure will leave a huge hole there.
From the morning you have to get used to the waves in Kfar Galim.
It won't be easy.
More on the same topic:
Maccabi Tel Aviv in football