Maccabi Tel Aviv continued their run of good form on Sunday and extended the run to 7 league victories after beating Maccabi Netanya 2-1 to record their 7^th successive win in all competitions. Goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera played a key role in winning the three points as he made a crucial penalty say to deny Netanya’s Eitan Azulay from scoring a penalty when the score was still at 1-1.

Shortly after the game, Mosquera shared his feelings as well as revealed what it has been like since joining Maccabi in the summer.

“When I first joined Maccabi I knew it was a big club and came here to play my part” he said, “This is what I have been trying to do in every match. I came here to contribute to the team reaching its targets.”

The 28-year-old keeper who made his second league appearance and sixth in all competitions, reflected: “Normally, when you join a new club the first few days are a little hard. I managed to get back in the team as the healthy competition I have for my place with the other keepers is good for me. It helps me be ready for matches and keeps me focused.”

The Panamanian international who made his mark by saving the penalty added: “I have been delighted to be here right from the start as this is a big club. I really hope to achieve very big goals here. Saving the penalty was a pure instinct, I didn’t know the player, so it was just an instinct I managed to save the spot kick.”

On life in Israel under the climate, Mosquera added: “It isn’t easy because the family is a little concerned but at moments like this, when you play football and win matches helps you forget a bit about what goes on outside of football. This is something both for us and the fans. Giving them the opportunity to think of other things the war is extremely important”.

With the game being held behind closed doors, Mosquera and his teammates when to acknowledge the fans who were supporting them during the match from outside the stadium. “I am happy for the fans as they always support us, so they deserve it. Winning game after game is obviously for them, so we’d want to win the championship for us but for them of course”.

Maccabi continues to lead the league table at the end of the 9^th league round as Robbie Keane’s side opened a 5-point lead at the top – a position they occupied from the start of the season.

Only four teams in Israel’s history led the table for the opening 9 matches: Hapoel Petah Tikva (1960/61 and 1963/64), Maccabi Haifa (2005/06) and Beitar Jerusalem (2007/08).

Maccabi’s start of the campaign keeps them unbeaten after 8 matches – winning 7 and drawing once. Only 4 teams in Israel’s history had a better start to a league campaign: Maccabi Tel Aviv (1953/54, 1993/94) and Maccabi Haifa (2005/06, 2009/10).

After guiding his side in 8 league matches (MD7 against Maccabi Haifa was postponed to January 10^th), Robbie Keane has a 92% success rate. This is the best start of any coach in the Israeli league history which is shared with 3 other coaches: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Patrick van Leeuwen in 2021/22 and 3 coaches of Hapoel Petah Tikva (Ignac Molnar 1961), Slavko Milosevic (1964) and Nir Levin (1997).

Maccabi recorded their 1,121 league victory (the highest number in the league) with Netanya suffering the 75^th and highest number of defeats amongst all clubs. For the first time in Israel’s history a club reached the 75^th victory landmark against any specific opponent.

Maccabi extended their unbeaten home run against Netanya to 17 matches which equals the record set between 1950-1970.

Eran Zahavi, who scored his 7^th league goal last night, continued to score for the 6^th successive match in all competitions to reach the 20^th goal mark.

The 36-year-old striker scored in 7 of his last 8 league encounters against Netanya (88%). This equals the record for a Maccabi player which was scored in more than 5 encounters against a specific opponent, set by Avi Nimni (against Hapoel Jerusalem) and Eliran Atar (Against Hapoel Acco).

Orlando Mosquera saved Eitan Azulay’s penalty which was the first spot-kick fired at him as a Maccabi goalkeeper. Four previous Maccabi goalkeepers achieved that in the past: Shmuel Melika (1972/73), Dragoslav Jevric (2007/08), Daniel Tenenbaum (2019/20) and Daniel Peretz (2021/22).

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The 28-year-old midfielder set up another goal, this time to Felicio Milson as Maccabi recorded their seventh league win in eight matches to beat Maccabi Netanya 2-1 at Bloomfield stadium.

Biton, who is enjoying his best season under Robbie Keane, said: “I just turn up and play my game. Anyone who knows me, knows that I do it with the biggest joy there is because I come to enjoy myself which is the most important thing. I am receiving a lot of credit from the coach and the rest of the coaching staff. They talk to me a lot and push me to do more. I am just delighted to be able to pay them back by showing them what I can do.”

Biton, who assisted a goal for Eran Zahavi against Gent in Serbia on Thursday, spoke at the end of Sunday’s game at Bloomfield of the busy schedule: “This is what I told my teammates right now after the game” before explaining: “To come here tonight after working so hard on Thursday and to win. Netanya are an excellent side and made our lives difficult which makes me even happier.”

With the game being held behind closed doors, Maccabi’s fans gathered outside the stadium and didn’t stop singing and chanting outside Bloomfield stadium. Biton and the rest of his teammates walked over to acknowledge them after the match. “It was amazing to see how they all came here tonight and cheered us on at this period of time” Biton said: “Our smallest contribution is to give our fans pleasure by winning matches. We release miss them.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the first time since the October 7th deadly terrorist attack, as Robbie Keane’s side hosted Maccabi Netanya for the MD9 ONE ZERO League match.

With 19 points from the opening 7 matches, Maccabi, that has a two point lead over second place Hapoel Haifa, but also one more game to play due to their rescheduled match against Maccabi Haifa (January 10th) will aim to increase their lead at the top.
Boosted by the qualification to the Conference League Round of 16 on Thursday, Keane, made two changes to his line-up as Gabi Kanichowsky who picked an injury during the victory over Gent, was replaced by Dor Turgeman. Derrick Luckassen who was suspended on Thursday returned to the heart of defense at the expense of Nir Bitton and alongside Enric Saborit.

Avishai Cohen and Roy Revivo completed the back four infront of Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. Joris van Overeem in and Dor Peretz were the two players assigned for Maccabi’s engine room while the midfield trio was completed by Dan Biton. Felicio Milson was named on one wing with Turgeman on other while Eran Zahavi led the team out wearing the captain’s armband in a bid to add to his 19 goals in all competitions he scored so far this season.

First Half

In what has been almost a trademark of this encounter between the two sides, the match began in an untidy fashion as both teams opted for pace rather than accuracy with possession changing constantly. None of the goalkeepers were troubled in the opening stages, but it was Netanya’s Raz Carmi who was forced to pick the ball out of his bet first. Dan Biton carved Netanya’s defense open as he slipped the ball to Felicio Milson who chipped it over the advancing Carmi and put Maccabi infront on 19.

Three minutes later however, the visitors were back on level terms as Itamar Shviro beat Orlando Mosquera to level the score. Netanya kept forcing their untidy game as a minute before the half hour mark, they came close to score a second. Liran Rotmam, who was booked earlier on together with Biton, sent a flick that caught Mosquera by surprise but struck the post and was cleared. Robbie Keane was forced to make his first change in the 40th minute as Enric Saborit limped off with a groin injury and was replaced by Idan Nachmias.

A well drilled corner two minutes later so Milson cut the ball back for Zahavi while attempt of a left foot dipping shot was turned by Carmi over his crossbar after the ball threatened to loop the Netanya keeper.

Second Half

Keane made a second change after the interval as Gabi Kanichowsky replaced Dor Turgeman at the restart. A minute later, Roy Revivo tackled a Netanya opponent in the box but VAR intervened and called referee Snir Levy to the screen. After spending a few minutes looking at the incident, Netanya were awarded a penalty as Eitan Eliyahu spot kick was saved by Mosquera. The Panamanian pulled another stunning save to deny Bar Cohen’s powerful left foot drive a minute later.

Dor Peretz raced clear through but with only Carmi to beat blasted his shot over the crossbar. The referee didn’t need the assistance of technology to award Maccabi a penalty after a Milson cross struck the arm of a Netanya defender. Eran Zahavi sent Carmi the wrong way to restore Maccabi’s lead and score his 20th goal of the season. Kanichowsky came close as he flashed a shot which rolled to the wrong side of the post and wide with Zahavi repeating it minutes later.

In the 81st minute Eliyahu must have thought he made ammends for his penalty miss earlier on as he chested the ball down and volleyed home past past Mosquera but the referee assistant raised his flag and the goal was scratched off for offside.

Two minutes later a slick exchange of passes on the edge of Netanya’s area left Milson with a free shot but Carmi stretched himself to push the ball out. Milson bowed out on 85 and was replaced by Ofir Davidzada before Sheran Yeini replaced Avishai Cohen inside injury time.

Zahavi could have sealed the victory late in the game as he latched onto a loose ball following a save by Carmi but somehow with the goal at his mercy managed to miss the target.

After two and a half months of war which has dominated our lives, Maccabi returns to Bloomfield stadium (20:00) to host Maccabi Netanya for MD9 of the ONE ZERO League. This will be Maccabi’s first home match since the deadly attack of October 7^th.

Ahead of the occasion, the club decided to dedicate the match to the memory of the Maccabi fans who were murdered or killed in action in the Swords of Iron war as well as the cry for the return of the hostages from Gaza.

What is expected to be a highly emotional evening will include a series of gestures:

Remembering the murdered and those who fell in action

Maccabi’s players will wear during the forthcoming match special shirts which would bear the names of the 73 Maccabi fans who were either murdered or were killed in action. At the front of the blue away shorts, the 73 names who are no longer with us, will form a shape of a Star of David.

This wouldn’t have been possible with the consent of Maccabi’s main shirt sponsor, ISRAEL CANADA, who agreed to switch the logo from the front to the back of the shirt.

Additionally, 74 seats at the lower east stand will be dressed in black shirts to commemorate each one of the Maccabi fans who died. After praying and expecting the return from captivity of Alon Shamriz who was held hostage in Gaza for 70 days, we learned on Friday of tragic death. Last Monday, during the club’s candle lighting injury, we hosted the families of hostages at Bloomfield stadium. Alon’s mother, Dikla, took part in the candle lighting ceremony as she lit orange candles which marked our prayers for their speedy release. We will honor the memory of Alon and the rest of those who were murdered and killed, with a minute of silence.

At the same time, a massive black banner will be spread on Gates 10-11 which will have the October 7^th printed in the middle while on both sides additional dates marking previous deadly terrorist attacks on the State of Israel over the past decades.

A cry for the return of the hostages

The Club doesn’t and will not forget the hostages held in captivity in Gaza and as part of the national cry for their speedy return home, 6 seats will be dressed in the VIP stand to mark the number of Maccabi fans held hostage.

The four corner flags at Bloomfield were also replaced for the match as the 4 yellow flags will carry the slogan BRING THEM HOME – as we all hope for the speedy return home.