“It is a massive disappointment for us” Zahavi said after the match, “We came here with a massive advantage but we simply didn’t show up. They were just all over the pitch but we were not there as one can’t concede 6 goals in Europe and continue in the competition.”

Zahavi, who scored his 13th goal in europe this season, added: “It was a long journey which began in the summer and ended now, but if we look at the entire campaign we can look at it with pride yet still we are left with a bitter taste. There are no excuses.”

When asked what didn’t work on the night, the 36-year-old veteran striker replied: “We conceded an early goal after 10 minutes which dented our plans, then Milson got injured and matters went from bad to worse. It is a shame really because we needn’t have conceded three goals and I had a feeling that we all wanted the game to end as soon as possible. One simply can’t play like that against a team like Olympiacos. It’s a real shame.”

A 4-1 defeat in regular time that cancelled Maccabi’s win in Athens to take the tie into extra time where he and his teamates conceded two more to crash out of the competition, left Zahavi struggled to find an explanation: “We weren’t mean enough, or focused as matches like that are won by winning duals. Sadly, we can’t look the way we did.”

For a campaign which began back in July and was stretched all the way to March, Zahavi was still full of praise: “We must feel proud with the campaign we did from the summer until now as this was a long journey with plenty of flights and no home matches lately. It was in our hands and we let it slip which is why this is so so painful”

Maccabi Tel Aviv host Greek side Olymoiacos for the return leg of the Conference League Round of 16 at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola (22:00). Maccabi’s owner Mitch Goldhar arrived in Novi Sad Serbia and joined Robbie and his charges who will all aim to secure a historic qualification to the Quarter Finals. Maccabi have a 4-1 lead from last week’s first leg in Athens and will aim to enter the draw which takes place in Nyon on Friday.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will aim to complete the task and reach the Conference League Quarter Final for the first time in the club’s history as Robbie Keane’s side have a 4-1 lead from the first leg in Athens. Maccabi host Olympiacos at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola (22:00) as the players and coaching staff arrived at Ben Gurion Airport ahead of the their flight to Belgrade. Earlier this morning the team held their final practice session at Kiryat Shalom and just like Olympiacos will hold the pre-match press conference at the team Hotel in Novi Sad.

An Eran Zahavi brace and goals from Ido Shahar and Dor Peretz gave Maccabi a 4-1 advantage in Piraeus last week, but despite the three goal cushion a place in Friday’s Quarter Final has yet to be secured.

The 31-year-old keeper kept a clean sheet for the sixth time this season in the league as Maccabi beat Beitar Jerusalem 1-0 at Teddy stadium and record their sixth successive victory on all competition. Maccabi’s 18^th win in the league extended the lead at the top to five points, as Mishpati acknowledged the team effort: “We came here with the intention to win no matter what. We arrived here on the back on a match in Europe as we all know these transitions are never easy – so I am delighted we collected the three points. I think the coaching staff prepared us really well and we had a game of character. There are matches you need to win by defending well and keeping a clean sheet.”

On the support of around 7000 fans who travelled to support the team in Jerusalem, Mishpati added: “It was amazing to see them all here. They cheered us on right from the warm-up and I am delighted they could all return happy with a smile on their faces” as he stressed that the focus will now shift to the return leg against Olympiacos in Serbia: “We are already setting our sights on Thursday.”

Preview

Maccabi arrived at Teddy stadium for the ONE ZERO League MD25 match against Beitar Jerusalem aiming to continue their good run of form. Before the match even kicked off, Maccabi were informed by the IFA Supreme Court that the 1 point which was deducted earlier this season, was restored a fact which increased Maccabi’s lead at the top of the table to two points.

Against Beitar that are winless in their last six league matches and are coached by former Maccabi player and Head of football department, Barak Itzhaki, Head Coach Robbie Keane made three changes from the side that beat Olympiacos in Athens.

Matan Baltaxa partnered Idan Nachmias as the two central defenders in front of goalkeeper Roi Mishpati. Ido Shahar and Roy Revivo continued as the two full-backs on the right and left respectively to complete Maccabi’s four-man defensive line. Keane kept his midfield unchanged as Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role, was joined by Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz. Felicio Milson on one wing and Dan Biton on the opposite flank were named by Keane as the two wide-men while Dor Turgeman started upfront as the striker.

On the bench Keane named Henry Addo for the first time as the Ghanian winger waited for his chance to make an impact alongside goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Avishai Cohen, Enric Saborit, Eran Zahavi, Eyal Golasa, Ofir Davidzada, Eden Karzev and Osher Davida.

First Half

Backed by 7000 travelling fans, Maccabi began the match at Teddy with purpose and intention trying to stamp their authority early on. Felicio Milson broke into the area and won a corner in the third minute which was crossed by Gabi Kanichowsky and headed by Matan Baltaxa over the crossbar. Three minutes later at the opposite end, Roi Mishpati was drawn into the action as he came off his to goal line to block Idan Yona who found himself in a good chance to score. Milson continued to look lively as his shot from the edge of the area forced Beitar’s keeper to stretch himself and push the ball out in the 8th minute. The action continued as Idan Nachmias ghosted past Beitar’s defense and sent a powerful header which Silva managed to claw from under the crossbar in the 11th minute. A minute later Beitar’s captain Yarden Shuah managed to break through and with only Roi Mishpati to beat, flashed his shot wide of the post.

In the 27th minute Milson charged forward for half the length of the pitch but as the ball reached Kanichowsky the diminutive midfielder miscued his attempt of a shot. Beitar’s Nika Khorkheli tested Mishpati with a left foot curling shot from the edge of the area which was equaled by Maccabi’s keeper right on the half hour mark. Six minutes later Dan Biton was fouled and as referee Orel Grinfeld awarded Maccabi a free kick, he also booked Beitar’s Gregory Morozov for dissent.

Maccabi were awarded a penalty in the 41st after Biton slipped the ball to Dor Turgeman who dribbled past his marker before being hacked down in the box by Ori Dahan. Grinfeld immediately pointed at the penalty spot before Biton stepped up, kept his calm and fired in the spot kick to break the deadlock.

Second Half

Keane made his first change after the break adding a fresh pair of legs to his attack as Osher Davida replaced Milson at the restart. Tackles were flying at both ends of the pitch as Idan Nachmias was shown yellow right on the hour mark for bringing down Fred Friday who threatened to break through.

Maccabi seemed to have run out of steam as Zohar Zasno blasted a drop-kick which sailed wide of the post in the 68th minute. Keane reacted with a double change as Eden Karzev came on for Joris van Overeem while Henry Addo was handed his Maccabi debut replacing Kanichowsky. Keane made his two final substitutions as Dor Turgeman and Dor Peretz who both worked tirelessly came off on 77 and were replaced by Eran Zahavi and Eyal Golasa.

Beitar continued to look dangerous on the break as Dor Micha led a counter-attack in the 82nd minute which Timothy Muzi blasted high and wide. Davida had the ball in the back of the net inside injury time after Silva saved Addo’s close range header, but the goal was disallowed after the Ghanian was caught offside. Meyron George came close as he had a shot blocked before his second effort shaved the top of the crossbar.

Deep inside injury time Beitar were awarded a free kick near the corner of the area after Revivo brought Muzi near the corner of the area. Li-On Mizrahi’s free kick shaved the woodwork once again which was the final kick of the game as Grinfeld ended the contest.

Maccabi’s attention will not turn to Thursday’s Conference League return leg against Olympiacos at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola.