Preview:

Maccabi arrived at Sammy Ofer stadium for the MD19 WINNER League match away to fourth place Maccabi Haifa. While Maccabi are third with 36 points, seven ahead of Haifa in the table, they will look to narrow the nine point-gap from leaders Beitar Jerusalem and six behind second place Hapoel Be’ersheva. Boosted by the dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Zarko Lazetic’s side that beat Hapoel Jerusalem (3-1) and Bnei Sakhnin (1-0) in the league will try and continue their run. Since the re-appointment of Barak Bachar in October, Haifa have improved their results and are on a run of 1 defeat in 13 matches in all competitions.

With Roy Revivo serving a one-match touchline ban following his dismissal in the derby, Lazetic was forced to make changes. Itay Ben Hemo who scored the winning penalty, partnered Ali Camara as the two central defenders. Noam Ben Harush stepped in to replace Revivo at left-back with Tyrese completing Maccabi’s defensive line infront of the other Cup hero goalkeeper Ofek Melika. Issouf Sissokho in the anchorman role was joined by Ido Shahar with the captain’s armband in the engine room while Kervin Andrade kept his place at the top of the midfield trio. Helio Varela whose goal on Wednesday was his second for Maccabi in the Cup, will seek his debut league goal. With the Cape Verde winger on one wing, Lazetic named Osher Davida on the opposite flank with the 24-old aiming to end his barren run in the league that stretches since MD on September 16th. Upfront, Lazetic named Elad Madmon who scored three league goals and five in all competitions.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Heitor dos Santos, Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Yonas Malede, Ben Lederman, Itamar Noy, Saied Abu Farchi and Dor Peretz.

First Half:

A sea of colour and a wall of noise welcomed both sets of players at Sammy Ofer with Maccabi’s 3000 travelling fans tucked in the south west corner of the stadium aiming to give the hosts a vocal fight.

A counter attack in the 15th minute almost saw the hosts draw first blood in as a counter attack reached Guy Melamed in the middle of the penalty area. But with only the keeper to beat and in a comfortable position to score Melamed fired his shot wide. Three minutes later Michael Ohana shrugged off a challange and burst forward but his shot which beat Ofek Melika bounced off the base of the post. Tyrese Asante who was carrying an injury from Wednesday’s derby was forced to limp off and replaced by Raz Shlomo in the 19th minute.

The fatigue from the derby claimed another casulty just before the half hour mark Osher Davida also limped off and was replaced by Sagiv Jehezkel.

Four minutes later Melika was at full stretch when Melamed sent a shot from the edge of the area that was accurate but lacked the power to beat the Maccabi custodian.

Inside added time Haifa had the ball in the back of the net as Maccabi’s defense didn’t manage to clear the danger as the ball fell to Michael Ohana who buried his half volley past Melika. The linesman raised his flag for offside but VAR intervened and after several minutes of waiting referee Gal Leibovic awarded Haifa the goal.

Haifa almost doubled their lead before the break as Navot Ratner curled a cross into the area which was headed by Kenny Saief but Melika managed to pull a reflex save and claw the ball which was making its way in.

Second Half:

Lazetic made a third change after the break introducing Heitor dos Santos for Ali Camara at the restart switching to three central defenders across the back. The change almost paid off instantly as a Jehezkel cross into the box was missed by Elad Madmon but fell to Ido Shahar. Maccabi’s top scorer took his volley first time but Haifa’s keeper Georgiy Yermakov pulled a stunning save to deny the skipper on the night from increasing his tally.

In the 52nd minute Maccabi were back on level terms as Shahar carved Haifa’s defense open with a through ball to Jehezkel whi raced clear through. Jehezkel bursting run into the box resulted with a powerful shot which was saved by Yermakov but as Haifa failed to clear the danger the ball fell to Jehezkel who didn’t fail in his second attempt as he rifled his shit home.

In the 68th minute Lazetic made a double change as he introduced his two final substitutions sending out Dor Peretz and Saied Abu Farchi for Kervin Andrade and Madmon.

Four minutes after their introduction Peretz was released into the box by Abu Farchi but once again Yermakov came to Haifa’s rescue with a save.

Jehezkel was in the thick of things on 78 as he cut inside from the right and with his left unleashed a powerful drive which was punched away by Yermakov. Less than 30 seconds later at the opposite end Haifa restored their lead as Pierre Cornud floated a cross from near the corner before Melamed swept it home with a volley. Haifa increased their lead to 3-1 in the 81st minute as Kenji Gore was given the time and space to dribble down the left as he cut inside and blasted a shot that found Melika’s bottom corner. Maccabi came close to cut the deficit as a corner fell to dos Santos whose powerful volley was saved by Yermakov.

Haifa had the ball in the back of the net in the 88th minute as Lisav Eisaat carried the ball out of defense before releasing Nov Gabay who rounded Melika and rolled the ball home to make it 4-1.

Abu Farchi, who gave his all over 120 minutes in the Cup derby, began the match as a striker but was deployed as a left back following the dismissal of Roy Revivo for two bookings. Speaking at a Press Conference before the match in Haifa, Abu Farchi reflected on the derby as he said: “I feel good. We had a tough, intense match. I think we recovered well, the medical staff worked with us properly, and now we’re focused on tomorrow.”

“It’s obviously good to arrive after a game like that derby, full of excitement and motivation,” Abu Farchi added. “We are coming up against Maccabi Haifa, a team I don’t need to tell you about. We’re coming to do our very best. I hope and want us to leave there with three points.”

On the compliments he received after the match, Abu Farchi added: “All the compliments and the appreciation feel great. I received a lot of love from both the fans and the club. It’s a wonderful feeling, a moment I dreamed about for a long time. It was my first derby, and the first for many players in the squad. Winning it in that way is very emotional.”

“The staff and the coach needed me as a full-back, and I’m happy I did the job there properly,” he added. “It doesn’t matter where the coach puts me, I’ll give everything, because that’s who I am, and that’s how every player at Maccabi Tel Aviv should be.”

On the impact of the derby victory, he said: “It really gives a lot of confidence going forward, but it’s more than just confidence. The players won’t be afraid, they’ll try to do more and take responsibility. It’s a very important moment, for the young players and the veterans alike. I’m also happy the youngsters got the chance to take part.”

On the importance of Sunday’s match against Haifa, Abu Farchi concluded:

“We can’t afford to drop points, but we also can’t think about it that way. We’ll come to every match aiming to win, because that’s this club. That’s its DNA, no matter where or when. As for the chase after Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Be’ersheva, it’s better to be in a three-team race than just a two-team one”.

The morning after the dramatic victory over arch city rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in a penalty shoot-out, Maccabi entered the Quarter Finals draw and were handed another derby in the next round. The ties are scheduled to be played on February 3^rd – 5^th.

Maccabi Jaffa that are ranked 13^th in the second division will host Maccabi at Bloomfield in a repeat of the round of 16 tie which was played in February 2024.

Quarter Finals:
Maccabi Jaffa (2^nd) vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Haifa vs SC Kfar Qasem (2^nd) or Hapoel Kfar Sava (2^nd)
Maccabi Bnei Reineh – Hapoel Be’ersheva

Beitar Jerusalem – Bnei Yehuda (2^nd)

Maccabi’s goalkeeper, Ofek Malika, and defender, Itay Ben Hemo, who both played a significant role in the penalty shoot-out that secured Maccabi’s place in the quarterfinals, spoke after the match.  The 20-year-old keeper who made a spectacular penalty save to deny Liran Rotman and take the shoot-out into sudden death, said: “I never stopped believing, even after the red card. In the end, we did it and I’m very happy about that. Everyone came out as winners, and after this, I believe we can do anything.”

Ben Hemo, who together with his teammates battled for an hour with 10 men following the dismissal of Roy Revivo in the 64th minute, added: “To come into a match like this, with everything that happened, and to get a red card early in the second half, and still look like that the entire game, everyone fought and never stopped believing for a second. This is something worthy of extra time. There’s no feeling like winning a derby, especially in this way. It’s emotional, and we’re happy about it.”

Melika, who started the season with a red card in the Champions League tie against Pafos to cement his place in Maccabi’s goal several months later, said of his save: “It’s a bit stressful. I know that if I don’t stop it, I don’t get another chance. I’m always ready to give my heart and give it my all. I threw myself to the corner and I’m glad I managed to stop the penalty. Both I and Ben Hemo deserve credit for tonight, we fought with 10 men from a relatively early minute. I’m happy we did it together.”

On the special moment of scoring a winning penalty in a derby, Ben Hemo who captained Maccabi’s U19’s before spending a couple of seasons on loan at Bnei Sakhnin, summed up: “I felt confident. I’m glad it went in, but if not for Ofek, we wouldn’t be standing here. I’m happy for him and happy for the team that he was there for us when we needed him. For me, as a defender, it’s just a bonus. It’s a happy moment for me, and for everyone.”

Preview:

Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the State Cup round of 16 Tel Aviv derby against arch city rivals Hapoel. After the cancelation of the Tel Aviv derby in the league earlier this season following the pyrotechnics display of Hapoel fans, this will be the first encounter between the two sides in two years. The fact Hapoel spent last season in the second division, means that Maccabi’s unbeaten record in derbies now stretches to 4281 days or just short of 12 years.

The last time both teams met in the Cup, Maccabi won the final after extra time to lift the Cup in dramatic style in June 2021.

Hapoel that host the match will have the majority in the stadium and are unbeaten in all of their matches at Bloomfield this season. Zarko Lazetic, who guided his charges to two league victories in succession against Hapoel Jerusalem and Bnei Sakhnin, welcomed back to the squad Dor Peretz and Ali Camara. While Camara was named in the starting line-up and partnered Raz Shlomo in the heart of defense, Peretz was named amongst the substitutes on the bench. Tyrese Asante at right-back and Roy Revivo as Maccabi’s captain on the left, completed the defensive line in front of goalkeeper Ofek Melika.

In midfield, Issouf Sissokho kept his place in the anchorman role and was joined in the engine room by the team’s top scorer Ido Shahar who has 12 goals in all competitions. Kervin Andrade was named by Lazetic at the top of the midfield trio as the young Venezuelan midfielder was given a chance to experience his first Tel Aviv derby. Helio Varela was also making his first derby appearance on one wing while Osher Davida, who previously featured for both clubs in derbies, was named by Lazetic on the opposite flank. Saied Abu Farchi led the line and was also seeking to score on his first ever derby debut.

With Roi Mishpati’s illness added his name to the list of absentees that already includes: Denny Gropper (knee), Ion Nicolaescu (knee) and Kristijan Belic (cheekbone), Lazetic named on his substitutes bench: Yoav Gerafi, Heitor Dos Santos, Sagiv Jehezkel, Yoans Malede, Elad Madmon, Naom Ben Harush, Itamar Noy, Itay Ben Hemo and Dor Peretz.

First Half:

A sea of colour and a wall of noise welcomed both set of players onto the pitch as Maccabi’s visiting sector in the north part of the stadium tried to overcome the numerical disadvantage it had as Hapoel occupied three quarters of the stadium. Two minutes from the start and after a pyrotechnics display of Maccabi and Hapoel fans, the visitors were awarded a free kick but Stav Turiel fired his shot wide. A Maccabi counter attack down the right saw Tyrese Asante released into the box by Osher Davida but the Dutchman’s attempt of a cross was cleared by Hapoel’s defense.

In the 22nd minute Maccabi reached their best chance as Saied Abu Farchi flicked a clever header into the path of Helio Varela who burst forward and unleashed a powerful drive which was punched away by Assaf Tzur.

Two minutes after the half hour mark Abu Farchi’s shot come cross from the right sailed high and wide of the target.

In the 42nd minute Roy Revivo was booked by referee Sapir Berman for a challange on Turiel.

The fourth official signalled two minutes of added time, none of the teams managed to reach any chance. The halftime whistle sent the two sides to warm up and regroup in the dressing rooms.

Second Half:

With no changes to either side at the interval Maccabi returned for the second half determined to score an early goal. Two minutes after the restart Maccabi got their goal as Revivo reacted first to a Hapoel clearance just outside the box as he released Helio Varela. The Cape Verde winger unleashed a left foot low drive that found the bottom corner of Tzur to break the deadlock.

Hapoel were back on level terms in the 54th as Turiel exploited a Revivo slip in the area before burying his shot last Ofek Melika to draw level at 1-1. Tyrese Asante was booked by Berman shortly after as now both of Maccabi’s full-backs carried yellow cards.

Four minutes after the hour mark, Revivo was given his marching orders after being sent off for two bookable offences to leave Maccabi with 10 men for the reminder of the tie.

Lazetic reacted with a triple substitution in the 71st minute as he replaced Ido Shahar, Kervin Andrade and Davida as he introduced Itamar Noy, Sagiv Jehezkel and Elad Madmon. Abu Farchi pushed back to take the place of Revivo at left back while Madmon stepped up to the lone striker’s role.

Jehezkel had an immediate impact as he picked the ball right on the halfway line, butst forward before being fouled by Loizos Loizu who was consequently booked on 75.

Jehezkel was in the thick of things three minutes later as he controlled an Asante through ball and squared across the face of goal. Abu Farchi who ghosted in atbthe far post blasted a shot but Tzur spread himself to save for a corner.

In the 81st minute Jehezkel’s decision making prevented Maccabi from taking the lead as he won possession on the halfway line and raced clear through. But instead of slipping the ball to Madmon who was free on the overlap, opted to try and dribble past another defender and lose possession.

Four minutes later Melika was at full stretch to palm away a powerful dangerous left foot shot from Loizu. Lazetic introduced Dor Peretz for Varela who hobbled off on 89. As the fourth official signalled four minutes off added time Maccabi came close as Abu Farchi’s free kick found Madmon at the far post but his header which beat Tzur was cleared off the line by Fernand Mayembo.

As no goals were scored, the Tel Aviv derby, just like the Cup final of 2021 was sent into extra time.

Extra Time:

The first period of extra time saw Hapoel try and exploit their numerical advantage but neither team managed to create any chances. Just before the second period started Asante who worked tirelessly in defense limped off with a tight calf muscle as he was replaced by Itay Ben Hemo.

A collision between Melika and Mayembo inside Maccabi’s area saw the tall defender limp off to receive medical treatment before returning to the field for the closing stages.

Melika pulled a stunning save to deny Liran Rotman in the 116th minute and keep his goal locked and Maccabi in the tie.

Maccabi’s brave defending during the entire extra time saw the full time whistle send the tie to a penalty shoot out.

Itay Ben Hemo and Ofek Melika were the stars of the penalty shoot out as Maccabi advanced to the State Cup Quarter Finals after beating city rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in a dramatic penalty shoot out. Melika saved a crucial penalty from Liran Rotman to take the shoot out to sudden death before Ben Hemo scored the final penalty.