The recent Israel-Palestine crisis affected the Israeli State Cup semi-finals, as the main match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa was played in an unusual situation.
The previous match between the teams was completely different from their Israeli Cup match. Only 11 days ago, both teams played in fully packed Bloomfield, which presented a feeling that the sad old days of the coronavirus were over.
The next day, a military crisis began in Israel and Palestine. Initially, the match was scheduled to be played last Wednesday in Bloomfield. After Hamas fired over 100 rockets on Tel Aviv, the game was postponed. The final decision was to play in Haifa, away from the area under fire. Although there was no threat on the North, the decision was to play once again behind closed doors, this time due to security reasons.
Maccabi Tel Aviv didn't accept that decision. The team's foreigners expressed their fear of the situation, and therefore Maccabi Tel Aviv decided to let them fly back home. They also try to appeal the decision to play as Israel is still under crisis. The appeal was rejected, and Maccabi Tel Aviv had to play without most of their key players.
Maccabi Haifa are facing their best moment for more than a decade. With their 4-point lead on the top of the league, they are close to complete their championship journey. Their mission was to reach the final, and get one step closer to a domestic double. Maccabi Haifa has done it only once, in 1991.
After a goalless first half, the teams started to score. Maccabi Tel Aviv was described as underdogs due to their absentees, but they played better for long periods. In the 51st minute, Sheran Yeini passed to Itay Shechter, that scored without any problem when Josh Cohen wasn't close to the area.
Nine minutes later, Maccabi Tel Aviv has done it again. Yonatan Cohen crossed from the right side, Eytan Tibi made the assist, and once again, Itay Shechter was in the right place to score. Maccabi Tel Aviv was suddenly on a 2-0 lead.
Maccabi Haifa failed even to make a serious threat to Maccabi Tel Aviv's goal. When the referee has blown the final whistle, the nervous days have been over with a win for Maccabi Tel Aviv and a berth to the cup final.
Maccabi Tel Aviv's last match will be a derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Their rivals have defeated Beitar Tel Aviv-Bat Yam 7-6 after a penalty shootout. It will be the first Tel Aviv derby in the final since 1994. For Hapoel Tel Aviv it's a chance to win a first title since 2012, which could be an excellent finish for an awful season.
Thumbnail photo by the Israel Football Association Facebook page.
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