Zarko Lazetic’s side that recorded two victories and a draw in three matches, will end their 10-day pre-season training camp in Poland and return to Israel ahead of Monday’s Super Cup against Maccabi Petah Tikva.
The Serbian coach made a single change from the side that was held to a 0-0 draw by Raków Częstochowa earlier this week as Dan Biton replaced Henry Addo on the wing.
Omonia had two goals disallowed by the Polish referee in the first half which ended goalless.
Lazetic made three changes after the interval as Matan Baltaxa replaced Avishay Chen with Idan Nachmias switching from central defense to right-back. Matan Hozez replaced Bar Lin on the wing while Eran Zahavi came on for Saied Abu Farhi upfront.
The changes gave Maccabi the lift they needed while Roi Mishpati in Maccabi’s goal denied the Cypriots from taking the lead.
A minute after the hour mark Zahavi found Gabi Kanichowsky on the edge of the area before he slid the ball to Dor Peretz who was tripped in the box by Omonia’s captain.
The referee pointed at the spot before Zahavi stepped up and calmly clipped the ball home to put Maccabi in front.
Maccabi almost doubled their lead four minutes later as Dan Biton placed a pinpoint free kick onto Peretz’s head but the 28-year-old managed to head the ball wide.
Shahar Rosen replaced Ofor Davidzada at left back in the 67th minute while 10 minutes later Lazetic made three more changes as Ofek Melika replaced Mishpati in goal while Peretz and Biton both bowed out with Nadav Niddam and Yoanatan Cohen introduced for the closing stages.
Cohen came close to set up Maccabi’s second as his curling corner fell to Baltaxa whose header sailed agonizingly wide on 81.
Three minutes later, the two substitutes Cohen and Niddam combined for Maccabi’s second. Cohen fed Niddam who blasted a low drive past Omonia’s keeper Francis Uzoho to seal Maccabi’s win with his second goals of pre-season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv:
Roi Mishpati (Ofek Melika 77), Avishay Cohen (Matan Baltaxa 46), Idan Nachmias, Raz Shlomo, Ofir Davidzada (Shahar Rosen 66), Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky, Dor Peretz (Nadav Niddam 77), Bar Lin (Matan Hozez 46), Dan Biton (Yonatan Cohen 77), Saied Abu Farhi (Eran Zahavi 46).
