With his back against the wall, in a game that was perhaps the last chance to really return to the championship race, Robbie Keane appeared and gave renewed meaning to the term Kiryat Shalom coach.
A day before the big 1:5 last night (Monday) against Maccabi Netanya, it was important for the coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv to put to sleep all those who tried to plow plots regarding his plans.
In the press conference before the game, Keane stuck to the rest he gave the players, talked about the vacation that should restore energy and stated that he expects to see a different level.
Keane kept close to his chest the decision he probably made during his personal vacation last week in Paris, he is going to revolutionize the lineup.
He chose to make two changes in front of the two leaders of the group.
It is clear that the status of Eran Zahavi is different from that of Dor Peretz, but Peretz was the best among Maccabi Tel Aviv players this season.
Cain decided that if he was shocking, then until the end.
His decision to bench Eran Zahavi and Dor Peretz together was a brave decision, a coach's decision.
It doesn't matter at all if Zahavi and Peretz had to go to the bench or if they are the weakest players of the bad period in Maccabi Tel Aviv.
"Sedated" everyone - and went to the revolution.
Cain next to Zahavi/Barney Ardov
The message had to get through to everyone and now there is no more discomfort or fear of dramatic decisions.
Last night in Netanya, Cain set another standard in Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Zahavi made the decision like a pro.
Even if he didn't like her, he came off the bench and gave good minutes with great cooking to Ido Shahar.
It is possible that he will return to the lineup already against Hapoel Beer Sheva, it is possible that he will not, but as long as he knows how to accept it from Maccabi Tel Aviv and he will only benefit.
Cain is also taking his first steps as a coach and as he learned quite a bit from this season, he too needed this move in order to start a new path.
It was not a great game for Maccabi Tel Aviv and the result lies, but this five should build a base of confidence for the rest and certainly for the match against Hapoel Beer Sheva on Saturday.
The hero of the evening was Ido Shahar with great moves.
Squeezing a penalty, a goal from a penalty, a great assist for Kanikovski and another personal goal from Zahavi's assist.
No one deserves more than Ido Shahar who trained and invested without seeing many minutes and when the opportunity came last night, he took it with all his heart.
It is not worthy of him.
Ido Shahar/Barney Ardov
Roy Mishpeti took at least two goals, Roy Rabivo scored like a father with a stationary ball and when he played in the second half as a right defender he played a balanced and responsible game.
And there was also Milson who finally scored a goal, Osher Davide who came in excellently and even Enrik Saborit who was solid, but the bottom line is that Maccabi Tel Aviv gained Robbie Keane last night.
The one who insisted on the same players and the one who rarely made changes, went all the way yesterday with unpopular decisions and may have saved Maccabi Tel Aviv's season.
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