Maccabi Tel Aviv versus Hapoel Tel Aviv 20:55, Israel Standard Time (IST) Bloomfield Stadium Aaron Schoenfeld (left) is projected to be in the starting 11 for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the derby.
About an hour and a half until kick-off and the supporters for both sides have started to arrive in the stadium which has a large police presence.
This is a high risk match on two fronts. General public security as it is high profile as well as potential for violence by either group of supporters. During the 2014/15 season, a fan of Hapoel jumped onto the pitch and attacked Eran Zahavi of Maccabi Tel Aviv (a player who grew up in Hapoel and left Palermo to sign with Maccabi). It was a moment of shame for not just Israeli football but for Israeli society with all sectors talking about the disgusting incident. Scenes from November 2014:
Goal for Schoenfeld in the second (2) minute! Put in on goal with a ball over the top by Gambian midfielder, Hamza Barry. Battled on the ball with defender, Eitan Tibi, goalkeeper was off his line and poked it past. Incredible debut!
Here is the atmosphere at Bloomfield. Today, Maccabi Tel Aviv are the home side in this shared venue.
Here is the physical battle between Tibi and Schoenfeld on the goal. Dor Micha just scored for Maccabi Tel Aviv on a pathetic mistake from the goalkeeper who misjudged a cross. Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv Currently in the 25th minute
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv Currently in the 32nd minute Schoenfeld looks a lot taller than most of the players on the pitch. He had a good sprint with the ball in the 29th minute that resulted in a corner for Hapoel. Unfortunately, it has been all Maccabi since the goal. Hapoel is not able to keep possession very long and is playing a lot of long balls thanks to Maccabi's pressure.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv Halftime Schoenfeld (left) and Maccabi's Spanish defender, Carlos García Badías, battle for the ball.
Commentators on television were asked who has been the standout for both sides thus far. They are saying that Schoenfeld has been the bright spot for Hapoel. Maccabi though has 66% possession of the ball. Don't disagree with them. It appears that Schoenfeld will have to create his own chances. The midfield of Avihai Yadin, Romanian Claudiu Bumba, Gambian Hamza Barry and Montenegrin Nemanja Nikolić has been having trouble keeping the ball and feeding it to the strikers (Schoenfeld and Yehezkel). Not so surprising. Barry and Nikolić are new signings. Think Nikolić is even making his debut tonight.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv Currently in the 49th minute Heavy rain opens the second half at Bloomfield. The effects of which can already be seen as players are losing their footing. Schoenfeld won a header in the 47th minute to send a midfielder sprinting down the touchline. Poor job though not to look up and see if he had any runners so the ball skipped out for a goal kick.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv Currently in the 56th minute Schoenfeld is looking very active on defense. Constantly looking around to make sure that he is not overcommitting. On every set piece, they are looking for Aaron and his height is a distinct advantage as he had a great header in the 54th minute to keep the ball in play following a poor throw in.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv Currently in the 78th minute Striker Alon Turgeman comes on for Claudiu Bumba in the 72nd minute. Nikolić likely to be the next sub off. Schoenfeld has barely seen the ball. Lots of jogging for him on defense but most of Hapoel's counter attacks are stopped in midfield thanks to some poor ball control. Players in Israel are technical but they hold on to the ball too long.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv Currently in the 85th minute Schoenfeld comes off after 80 minutes. Not a bad debut against a Maccabi Tel Aviv side that qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage this year. Schoenfeld just missed the kerfuffle on the pitch in the 83rd minute between Yehezkel and Ben-Harush. Both squads were broken up by the official and he did a good job controlling the tempers.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv Fulltime The draw for Hapoel puts them in 12th place, one spot above the relegation zone.