The tough league run

Maccabi’s 2000/01 campaign began with major changes: after hosting its home matches at the Ramata Gan national stadium, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield Stadium, after four years under Avraham Grant, former national team coach Shlomo Scharf was appointed as Head Coach, Tal Banin joined after returning to Israel from Italy, and the additions of Kobi Refuah, goalkeeper Adam Vezer, Meho Kodro, and Ferenc Horváth. At a later stage, Baruch Dego was signed from Ironi Ashdod and Rodrigo Goldberg also joined from Club de Deportes Santiago Wanderers.

The season began with public spat between Shlomo Scharf and Avi Nimni following a draw against Hapoel Haifa, which led to Scharf’s departure after 2 league matches. Nir Levin arrived from Zafririm Holon and was appointed as head coach. The first league round saw Maccabi finish 8th in the table as the second round in terms of result was just as inconsistent. At the same time, Maccabi showed some impressive attacking form, that included emphatic victories over Tzafririm Holon (6-0) and Ironi Rishon LeZion (10-1).

In the third league round Maccabi improved dramatically with a series of victories, led by Avi Nimni as the team finished fourth in the league with 68 points and 73 goals scored (the highest tally in the top-flight that season). But despite the playoff, the gap created by the indifferent start to the season could not be closed.

An outstanding State Cup journey

On their way to meeting the President for the first time in four years, Maccabi embarked on an impressive State Cup campaign. In the Round of 32, a dominant display saw Maccabi advance past Ironi Ofakim (7-2) with two braces by Tal Banin and Rodrigo Goldberg, and goals from Ference Horváth, Dedi Ben Dayan, and Guy Tzarfati.

Goldberg, Banin and Dego were also on target in the Round of 16 as Maccabi beat Maccabi Ahi Nazareth 3-0. A Ben Dayan brace in a 2-0 Quarter Finals victory away to Maccabi Netanya booked Maccabi‘s place in the Semi Finals where the draw teamed them up for a derby with bitter city rivals and holders Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Maccabi entered this match with a poor run of five winless derbies with Hapoel winning three while two others ended in a draw. Nevertheless, in front of a packed Ramat Gan Stadium, Macabi rose to the occasion as Dego brace ensured a 2-0 victory and a place in the Final.

Maccabi Peta Tikva that surprisingly knocked out reigning League Champions Maccabi Haifa in the Semis, were the opposition in the final. After a scoreless first half, Maccabi’s leading scorer in the Cup (4) headed in the opener following a Dego pinpoint cross. Eli Biton doubled Maccabi’s lead from a tight angle on 76 while Dego added a second assist on the night for Avi Nimni who sealed the 3-0 victory in the 90^th minute. Nimni, who finished as the league’s top scorer with 25 goals, lifted the Cup together with Tal Banin.

The season in numbers

Dedi Ben Dayan and Grzegorz Wędzyński made the most appearances with 41 matches in all competitions. Ben Dayan led in minutes played with 3,674, compared to Wędzyński’s 3,392.

Maccabi’s top scorer this season was Avi Nimni with 27 goals in all competitions. Tal Banin was second with 11 goals while Rodrigo Goldberg and Baruch Dego shared third place with 10 goals each.

Guy Zarafti provided the most assists with 11 to his name. Avi Nimni was two assists behind with 9 assists, while Baruch Dego was third with 8 assists.

The biggest victories of the season were recorded in league action. A memorable 7-0 victory over Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield on MD35 stands out, as does the remarkable 10-1 win over Hapoel Rishon LeZion on MD21. Avi Nimni (2), Tal Banin, Kobi Refuah (2), Baruch Dego (2), Ferenc Horváth (2), and Dedi Ben Dayan.

The foreign players we loved

The 2000/01 season featured several names that are now considered legendary, particularly among the foreign contingent. Among the beloved foreign players who wore the yellow and blue shirt that season were Polish midfielder Grzegorz Wędzyński and Chilean striker Rodrigo Goldberg. The season also began with Bosnian striker Meho Kodro, formerly of Barcelona, Hungarian goalkeeper Adam Vezer, Georgian defender Givi Didava, and Slovakian defender Jozef Valachovic, names that became part of Maccabi folklore. Midway through the season, Hungarian striker Ferenc Horváth and Russian winger Andrei Tikhonov joined the squad, contributing to Maccabi’s success in the latter stages of both the league and cup competitions.

There is a saying at Maccabi that says: “Maccabi is a family,” but for some of the greatest players to wear the Yellow-and-Blue shirt, that phrase is much more than a slogan – it’s a daily reality. To mark Family Day, we salute the dynasties that have shaped the club over decades.

The twins of the 1990s: Gadi and Alon Brumer

It’s hard to think of the vibrant 1990s without remembering the Brumer twins. Gadi and Alon rose through the youth ranks and became pillars of the Yellow-and-Blue defense. Together they won league titles and cups, with Gadi becoming one of the greatest center-backs in Israeli football history, while Alon added relentless fighting spirit on the flank and in midfield. Their almost telepathic understanding was their trademark, and to this day they are regarded as icons of excellence and humility.

The goalkeeping dynasty: Ofek, Yaron and Meir Melika

Here we are talking about a true dynasty. Ofek Melika, the club’s promising young goalkeeper, continues a rich family tradition. His father, Yaron Melika, stood between the posts for Maccabi in the 1990s, while his uncle, Meir Melika, was a striker who scored decisive goals. The Melika family roots at Maccabi go even deeper, back to great-grandfather Shmuel, making Ofek the fourth generation of footballers in the family.

The father and son who reached England: Avi Cohen RIP and Tamir Cohen

You can’t talk about family at Maccabi without mentioning the illustrious legacy of the late Avi Cohen and his son Tamir Cohen. Avi is considered one of the greatest defenders, and Maccabists, of all time, even making the move from Maccabi to the great Liverpool. His son Tamir also grew up at the club and became a dominant midfielder in the senior side before embarking on a career in England as well (Bolton), adding further honor to the Cohen family name in the club’s history.

Two yellow Icons: Avi and Meir Nimni

Everyone knows Avi Nimni, the legendary number 8. But younger fans may not know that the path was paved by his uncle, the late Meir Nimni. Meir was a tough and versatile player, a leader and a true team man who won league titles and cups with Maccabi in the 1970s, serving as a role model for his young nephew who broke into the senior side in the late 1980s.

Talent on the wing: Roy and David Revivo

As Roy Revivo burns down Maccabi’s left flank these days, he does so with technique reminiscent of his uncle, David Revivo, who grew up at Kiryat Shalom and was one of the most gifted passers to emerge from the club. Although David spent part of his career outside Maccabi, the family connection, and of course his father, Haim Revivo, one of the greatest of all time, always kept the Revivo name close to the yellow heart.

Decisive goals: Miki and Yonatan Cohen

Another dynasty is the Cohen family. The father, Miki Cohen, was an energetic midfielder and loyal homegrown player in the 1980s, part of major moments in the club’s history, including scoring a decisive goal in the 1988 State Cup final against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Years later, his son Yonatan Cohen became one of the key players of the club’s modern era. Yonatan played a significant role in league title triumphs with spectacular goals and assists, and like his father, he also scored in a derby State Cup final, in the 2020/21 season.

Yellow cult heroes: The Nahman twins

Another pair of twins who generated plenty of interest in the youth department and senior squad in the 1990s were Guy and Ron Nahman. The two, who grew up at the club, were part of extended squads during periods of yellow success and remain remembered as one of the more recognizable sibling duos in Maccabi culture.

Kristijan Belic who recently recovered from an injury and returned to the side made a second half substitution against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy stadium but couldn’t help his side collect more than a point. The 24-year-old midfielder said after the match: “It was a very important game, but we were somewhat nervous and not comfortable on the ball. There were attempts to go alone, myself included, with too many touches on the ball. We are much better than that, but we have to be satisfied with the point and keep fighting.”

Belic, didn’t hide his disappointment from the two points dropped as he explained: “We are not satisfied with the point. If you look at the game and the chances, we did not deserve to win. At least we showed character and stayed in the match.”

As Maccabi are now 11 points adrift of leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva with three matches left to the end of the regular season and before the Playoff begins, Belic insisted: “We wanted to win. After the loss in the previous match against them, we entered a difficult period. That’s football, but we need to be better, look ourselves in the mirror, and take three points this coming Saturday.”

“There are still many matches left until the end of the season and three more meetings against Be’ersheva. They have their story and we have ours. The most important match is on Saturday, and that’s it.”

Preview

Maccabi arrived at Teddy stadium for the MD23 WINNER League encounter away to second place Beitar Jerusalem. Ronny Deila’s side that are currently fourth with 42 points, will try narrow the five-point gap they have from Beitar and move closer to runaway leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva. While Maccabi are on a run of three successive victories in all competitions since Deila took charge, beating Beitar at Teddy will be far from easy as the stadium will be full of the home fans due to Maccabi’s away fan ban. Memories of the 6-2 defeat from the previous match between the two sides in November at Bloomfield is still fresh in the memory of the players. But Deila and his staff will have to put that aside as they aim to drive Maccabi back into the title race.

Brazilian defender Heitor dos Santos completed his one-match-touchline ban and returned to the side as he partnered Raz Shlomo at the heart of defense. Tyrese Asante returned to the role of right-back with Roy Revivo completing Maccabi’s four-man defense in front of goalkeeper Ofek Melika.

Deila kept the same midfield that beat Bnei Reineh last week as Itamar Noy, Ido Shahar and Dor Peretz formed Maccabi’s engine room. Emir Sahiti who scored a brace against Reineh and three in his last two outings, kept his place on the wing. Osher Davida was named on the opposite flank as the 24-year-old will try and add to his tally of two league goals and five in all competitions this season.

Upfront, Saied Abu Farchi continued to hold his place as the 19-year-old who scored one and set up two more against Reineh, will aim to continue his form of three goals in the last three outings and 8 in all competitions this season.

First Half

A loud Teddy stadium packed with Beitar Jerusalem fans was the welcoming reception that Maccabi’s players received. Despite having no fans in the stands, Maccabi took the first initiative and came close to score as early as the sixth minute. Osher Davida received the ball deep inside Beitar’s half before cutting onto his left and unleashing a powerful shot that cleared the crossbar. Four minutes later Raz Shlomo went down and limped off with an injury as Ronny Deila was forced to make an early change by introducing Ali Camara.

In the 22nd minute Maccabi’s pressure on Beitar’s defense saw Ido Shahar win possession deep inside the hosts’ half. Shahar laid the ball off for Emir Sahiti whose cross found Dor Peretz inside the box. But the 30-year-old’s attempt of a side foot was easily collected by Beitar’s keeper Miguel Silva. Maccabi continued to look dangerous going forward through the channels as Davida won a corner a minute after the hour mark. Itamar Noy crossed the corner straight into the danger zone where Camara rose high yet sent his header over from close range. Ofek Melika made his first save in the 34th minute as Yarden Shuah released Adi Yona whose weak shot didn’t trouble the Maccabi keeper.

Seconds after the fourth official signalled five minutes of added time, Heitor dos Santos drilled a low powerful drive that forced Silva to push the ball out for a corner. Luka Gadrani’e foul on Saied Abu Farchi earned the Beitar defender a booking by referee Gal Leibovic who blew the halftime whistle shortly after.

Second Half

As no changes were made at halftime, both teams returned for the second half with the score still goalless. Three minutes in, a perfectly timed last gasp tackle by Heitor on Yarden Shuah denied the Beitar captain who was clear through. Two minutes later, a Maccabi counterattack ended with Abu Farchi sweeping the ball home. But the referee assistant raised his flag for offside and the goal was disallowed. Dor Peretz finished another counterattack on 51 with a well taken shot that beat Silva. But once again the flag was raised for offside and the goal was scratched off.

Yona came close twice in the space of five minutes as he first blasted his shot over the top before dragging a second effort wide of the target. Deila reacted with a double substitution on 59 as Kristijan Belic and Yonas Malede came on for Shahar and Davida. With their fans cheering them on, Beitar continued to press forward in attempt to break the deadlock, while Maccabi’s defense managed to hang on. In the 69th minute Deila made another double substitution as Issouf Sissokho and Sagiv Jehezkel came on for Noy and Sahiti.

A minute later a spectacular Melika save from a deflected Boris Enow long range shot kept Maccabi’s goal locked. Malede came close on 74 as he got on the end of a Peretz square ball but from a tight angle and unlike the match against Bnei Reineh, the striker sliced his effort wide of the post. Leibovic’s full-time whistle confirmed the spoils will be shared as Maccabi now turn attention to Saturday’s home match against Ashdod.