Maccabi Tel Aviv slipped by Maccabi Netanya 1-0 as Helio Varela scored the decisive goal off a gorgeous team play in the first half to punch their ticket to the Toto Cup finals where they will meet Hapoel Tel Aviv in a derby matchup.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach Kenny Miller spoke about the win, “We were very good in the first half and the second half we were under pressure. We took our chances in the first half and we defended in the second half. It would have been good to get a second goal to relieve the pressure but we made it through and we’ll play a derby. As for Dor Peretz playing the full 90 minutes we needed to play as strong a team as possible to get to the final and it was all hands on deck.”

Maccabi Netanya Head Coach Roni Levy looked back at the loss, “We are very disappointed with the game and while we were in the game the entire time we also had chances to score and to draw even and we just didn’t. But we now have the start of the season coming up and we see that we have a great connection with the fans so we’re really looking forward.”

Sayed Abu Farchi talked about his status with Maccabi, “I don’t know if this was the last game for me but I’m still a Maccabi Tel Aviv player. I’m a player that will go out and give everything that I have until the last moment and I’m thrilled we advanced to the final. I’d be telling you a lie if I didn’t say that I wanted to go abroad, it’s a dream of many footballers. As for advancing to Europe, all of the guys want to be in a continental competition and we will do our best to get there. While Maccabi always aims as high as possible it’s disappointing not be in the Europ League but we will do our best to get to the Conference League against Lugano.”

Amit Cohen also spoke about the match, “We played well and we really controlled the game but we couldn’t find the back of the goal. We wanted to make it to the final but now we’re on to the league season. The atmosphere was just incredible and we didn’t have it last year when we were in the relegation playoffs, so for a player and a club like Maccabi Netanya this was great.”

Matheus Davo came flying in on the right flank but his cross just missed the mark in the box as Netanya looked to get off to a quick start while Bassam Zamora’s attempt was smothered by keeper Ofek Melika. However, the tide began to turn as Maccabi Tel Aviv took the lead when Helio Varela polished off a beautiful team passing play that Dor Peretz and Sayed Abu Farhi took part in.

The diamond city squad started to push for the equalizer as Yarin Abuhatzira had the ball on his foot in the box, but was stripped by Peretz before he could get a shot off, however, Zarora’s next chance just skipped by the left post and went out while Maor Levi found Davo in the box but his header flew way over the bar as the yellow-and-blue took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Kenny Miller’s charges looked to double their advantage and attacked the goal early, but Zarora had a brilliant chance from long distance that just went over the bar while Davo’s header missed the mark as well. Peretz’s smart shot was saved by Da Silva while Dolev Haziza’s attempt was coagulated by Melika and at the other end Ilay Ben Simol’s wild shot in the box went flying out of play.

Davo had another terrific chance in front of the goal but missed wide, Karem Jaber’s opportunity went just by the left post while Zarora tried to feed Davo inside of the box but Melika made the save. Netanya kept pressing for the tying goal but came up short as they fell to Maccabi and were eliminated from the Toto Cup.