An exchange of passes between Kervin Andrade and Dor Peretz in the opening minute of the game set up Itamar Noy who swept the ball home in the opening minute.

On the stroke of halftime, Yonas Malede who came on for Kervin Andrade in the 33^rd minute was sent through by Noam Ben Harush. Malede charged into the area and was tripped by goalkeeper Nadav Zamir before referee Gal Levy awarded a penalty. Saied Abu Farchi stepped up and slotted the penalty past Zamir to double Maccabi’s lead.

In the absence of most of the foreign contingent who are currently training in Cyprus, assistant coach Avi Rikan made several changes at the interval.

Roi Mishpati replaced Ofek Melika, Ben Lederman came on for Issouf Sissokho while Ido Shahar replaced Dor Peretz.

Hapoel Jerusalem cut the deficit as Noy lost possession on the edge of the area before Ohad Almagor fired past Mishpati to cut the deficit.

Abu Farchi came close to score Maccabi’s third and double his tally as he headed a Malede cross against the post.  

Several youth team players were introduced in the closing stages and gained important experience at senior level.

Maccabi: Ofek Melika(Roi Mishpati 46), Noam Ben Harush (Yoav Junio 71), Itay Ben Hemo (Noam Levy 71), Idan Weinberg, Roy Revivo (Yehonatan Kotzer 56), Issouf Sissokho (Ben Lederman 46), Dor Peretz (Ido Shahar 46),  Itamar Noy (Ilay Ben Simon 64), Kervin Andrade (Yonas Malede 33, Itai Zafrani 83), Osher Davida (Sagiv Jehezkel 55), Saied Abu Farchi (Elad Madmon 64).

Itamar Noy, returns to face his former club as Maccabi travel to Sammy Ofer on Saturday for what will be the penultimate match of the regular season.

The 24-year-old made 36 appearances in all competitions since joining Maccabi from Hapoel Haifa. Noy, who saw his former club salvage a draw away to league leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva in the last round, admitted: “We watched their match against Be’ersheva. Hapoel Haifa made some good reinforcements and brought in quite a few players, but we’re focused on ourselves. All of our focus needs to be on our tasks and our approach. If we bring what we expect from ourselves, things will work out well.”

Noy, who played in all but one of the six matches under Ronny Deila, said of the managerial change: “Generally speaking, it is something less tactical, the energy is very good right now. You can see the intensity, the passion, and the tempo in training. There are new emphases the coach has brought in, and the system is a bit different. We are trying to adapt ourselves to what he brings, we’re happy to learn from him, to progress and to improve every day.”

Noy, who is aware of the fact teams have been setting up against Maccabi, said: “All season, our opponents have come to face us after playing against Be’ersheva. Teams defend against us in a fairly similar way. We’re preparing for that, the key points that will help us deal with compact defenses. We will try to play as fast as possible, stretch the pitch and cope with the density. I hope we’ll do it in the best way possible.”

As a versatile player who has featured in several positions across the midfield, Noy admitted; “Throughout my career I haven’t been playing as a holding midfielder in the number 6 position. But today I feel very comfortable playing in all midfield positions. It is something I have developed over the years, the ability to play in every role. Wherever I am needed, I will know how to make the adjustments, and I will try to do the best I can.”

Noy, who scored two goals and added three assists for Maccabi this season, spoke of his personal targets: “There are many things to improve. I try to work hard and progress. Both this coaching staff and the previous one operate at a very high training level, that is something I hadn’t experienced before. Obviously, I want to improve personally, but first and foremost is helping the team. To take Maccabi to the places it truly belongs.”

As a player who in the past lined-up against Maccabi, Noy, is aware of what to expect on Saturday: “Every player who comes to play against Maccabi knows what it means to have a good game against Maccabi, the entire country is watching, and it is significant for your career. I have friends there who will try to get as much as they can out of the game, like any team that plays against us. We are not dealing with that, as we will continue to do our job and hopefully things will work out.”

With Maccabi currently third on 46 points, nine adrift of leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva, Noy focused on the immediate task rather than get drawn to discuss the title race: “I think that in the life of athletes there’s always a long-term goal, but we focus on the daily actions. What is relevant right now is to come to the next match and beat Hapoel Haifa. Then we have Be’ersheva, to connect another win and another win. I believe that with momentum it becomes easier to set higher goals.”

Emir Sahiti is continuing his good run of form at Maccabi as he scored one and assisted another in the 3-2 victory over Ashdod at Bloomfield. The 27-year-old winger who joined Maccabi in January on loan from German side Hamburg, has now netted his fourth goal in five outings. “As a team, we played a good game. Like I said two days ago, we had to win this match and take the three points. It was important for us to win. On top of that, to score and provide an assist, that’s the best feeling.”

Despite taking a 3-1 lead shortly after the interval, Maccabi conceded a second midway through the second half which led to some nervous moments towards the end as Sahiti reflected: “The coach will work with us and show us in the meetings where we can improve. We played at home with a great atmosphere. We need to be calmer and play our game because there’s a lot of quality in our team.”

Since Sahiti joined Maccabi scored 16 goals with the the 0-0 draw away to Beitar Jerusalem beung the only time they didn’t find the back of the net: “We create a lot of chances that we can score from. We need to score more before the 60th minute, but that’s football, sometimes you score and sometimes you don’t. We need to be more focused.”

On a personal level, Sahiti added: “I came here to give my very best for Maccabi. I need to stay focused in every match and not think about the summer. In the summer we’ll see what happens. I’m happy here, the guys are professionals and I feel very good. Whatever the coach decides. I’ve played more on the right wing, but I can play on both sides. The coach will decide where I can help the team win.”

As Maccabi remain points adrift of leaders Hapoel Beersheva that have a game in hand, Sahiti said: “We need to focus on the next match, not on the title. Game by game.”
Sahiti admitted he discussed the possibility of joining Maccabi with former teammates at Hamburg Daniel Peretz, as he shared: “He wished me the best of luck. He told me there’s a great history and great fans here. That the players are high quality, and I saw that from the first day I arrived. I’m very happy to be here, and what he told me was accurate.”

Preview

Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the early kickoff MD24 WINNER League home match against Ashdod SC. In what has become a club tradition, Maccabi held a “Retro match” featuring a tribute to the State Cup winning side of 2000/01. To mark that season, and in honor of Meni Levy, who collapsed in the middle of a game away to Beitar Jerusalem 24 years ago, all the players wore the number 12 shirt in an emotional ceremony prior to kickoff. Former Head Coach Nir Levin, and players such as Amir Shelah, Liran Strauber, Avi Nimni, Dedi Ben Dayan, Baruch Dego and the rest of that squadwere applauded off the pitch by the Maccabi fans.

In the meantime, Maccabi’s Head Coach Ronny Deila had a task of guiding the current team back to winning ways following the 0-0 draw against Beitar at Teddy stadium on Monday.

Ofek Melika kept his place in goal with Heitor dis Santos and Tyrese Asante lining up as the two central defenders in front of him. Noam Ben Harush returned to the side at right back while Roy Revivo completed Maccabi’s backline on the left. Issouf Sissokho in the anchorman role was joined by Dor Peretz and Kervin Andrade as the midfield engine room. Emir Sahiti on one flank and Helio Varela on the other supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation in support of Saied Abu Farchi.

On the bench Deila named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Ali Camara, Sagiv Jehezkel, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Itamar Noy, Ido Shahar, Itay Ben Hemo and Osher Davida.

First Half

The Saturday afternoon sunshine saw a sell-out Bloomfield stadium almost full to its capacity. Maccabi didn’t take long to create the first chance on goal as a Helio Varela square ball reached Dor Peretz. Maccabi’s captain ghosted in at the far post tried sweeping the ball towards goal. But Ashdod’s keeper Karol Niemczycki hooked it off the line with his foot to deny the visitors from conceding in the fourth minute. Mohamad Aamer was booked by referee Sapir Berman for a foul on Roy Revivo, but it was Ashdod who almost drew first blood. Eylon Almog intercepted an Issouf Sissokho pass in the sixth minute to catch Maccabi’s defense off guard. Eugene Ansah received a cross in the middle of the area and sent a first-time volley which he somehow miscued and struck the post.

In the 25th minute the deadlock was finally broken as Bloomfield erupted to applaud a spectacular team effort. Sissokho released an early ball out of midfield towards Helio Varela whose delicate clever flick played Revivo into the box. Revivo’s perfect square ball found Emir Sahiti at the far post as the Kosovo international winger continued his goalscoring spree by tapping the ball home for his fourth goal in the last five outings.

Sahiti could have doubled Maccabi’s lead two minutes later as he stripped an Ashdod defender of the ball and burst forward. But his attempt to dink his shot over the advancing keeper saw the effort clear the crossbar. In the 37th minute Ashdod were back on level terms as Ibrahim Diakite was left unmarked at the far post to head Ilay Tamam’s corner beyond the reach of Ofek Melika’s stretched arms.

Three minutes later the dual between Peretz and Niemczycki continued as Verela’s cross was met by the right foot of the Maccabi captain. Yet Ashdod’s Polish keeper was at full stretch to save once again. In the 42nd minute however Maccabi restored their lead as Revivo was instrumental with a delicate chip to send Saied Abu Farchi charging. The 19-year-old striker burst forward and from a tight angle managed to bury his shot in the bottom far corner to take his overall tally to 9 goals in all competitions.

Second Half

Deila made two changes after the break as Ali Camara replaced Noam Ben Harush while Itamar Noy came on for Kervin Andarde at the restart. The change saw Tyrese Asante move across to right-back while Noy slotted into the midfield. Noy’s impact was almost instant as in the 49th minute he released Sahiti down the right. The pacey winger squared into the box, Peretz stepped over the ball and left it for Varela who cut inside and curled into the top corner to make it 3-1. Ashdod managed to cut the deficit as substitute Hayford Boahen swept home following a corner. But VAR intervened and called Berman to the screen before Ashdod were awarded a penalty for a Sissokho foul in the box. Eylon Almog sent Melika the wrong way to successfully convert the spot kick and cut the deficit to 3-2 on 57.

Niemczycki denied Peretz with his feet once again as the Ashdod keeper stretched himself across goal to keep out another shot which threatened to go in. Sahiti received a standing ovation by the majority of the 23,413 fans as he came off on 86 while Osher Davida was introduced for the closing stages.

In the 72nd minute Deila made another double change as Sissokho and Abu Farchi were replaced by Ido Shahar and Yonas Malede.

Niemczycki denied Peretz with his feet once again as the Ashdod keeper stretched himself across goal to keep out another shot which threatened to go in. Sahiti received a standing ovation by the majority of the 23,413 fans as he came off on 86 while Osher Davida was introduced for the closing stages.

Malede pulled a muscle and was struggling in the closing stages as Maccabi was forced to defend and prevent Ashdod’s attempts to grab a later equalizer. Berman’s full-time whistle confirmed the victory as Maccabi now have a week to prepare for Saturday’s match away to Hapoel Haifa.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC is proud to continue its annual tradition and unveil the official Retro Collection for the 2000/01 season, a campaign that brought the State Cup back to Kiryat Shalom and delivered breathtaking football moments that are forever etched in our history.

The 2000/01 season is remembered as one of the most enjoyable and attack-minded in Maccabi’s history. Under the guidance of Nir Levin, Maccabi showcased thrilling football that culminated in a 3-0 State Cup Final victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva. It was a season of standout performances: the historic 10-1 victory over Hapoel Rishon LeZion, the 7-0 thrashing of Beitar Jerusalem, the 4-0 victory over a powerhouse Hapoel Haifa, and of course the 2-0 derby victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Semi-final.

Meni Levy, always with us

A central and meaningful part of the current Retro Collection is dedicated to former Maccabi player Meni Levy. The 2000/01 campaign was Meni’s second season with the senior side, during which he became one of the club’s most beloved and promising players. Meni played an integral role in the achievements of that season, before one of the most painful moments in our history, his collapse during a league match away to Beitar Jerusalem in the following season (2001/02).

As part of the tribute, the new-old kits feature the initials ML in his honor. In addition, all match shirts in the collection will be sold with the number so closely associated with him – 12,  appearing both on the back and the front of the shirt, just as was customary in those years.

What does the collection consist of?

The retro kits were designed with meticulous attention to detail and a strong resemblance to the original attire, including the historic club crest that adorned the team’s shirts in the early 2000’s. The collection includes a Yellow home shirt, a Blue away shirt, a retro jacket, and a matching scarf.

The Retro Collection is now available for purchase at the official online store and at the flagship store at Bloomfield Stadium.

Saturday’s debut on the pitch: vs. Ashdod

In the forthcoming home match against Ashdod on Saturday February 21^st (15:00), the team will wear the retro kits as a one-off basis. For us, this will be an opportunity to honor the club’s history and Meni Levy in a special atmosphere at Bloomfield. Prior to kickoff, a festive on-pitch ceremony will take place to pay tribute to the players and staff of the 2000/01 team.

Don’t miss out: A weekend of nostalgia

Throughout the weekend, we will publish a wide range of exclusive content across the official website, App, and social media channels, revealing the stories of the 2000/01 season. Be sure not to miss the special feature recounting Maccabi’s fascinating journey that year, alongside the moving story of Meni Levy and his path at the club.

Get ready to travel back in time, and for a weekend filled with true retro nostalgia.