Watch the clip: The captain is losing it
This is what Glazer is going through
Yoav Ziv is already waiting with the electronic board
Category: First Team
A numbers game: Maccabi’s league record
In 71 seasons of top-flight football (The only club in Israel with such a record), Macabi played 2,210 league matches winning 1,114 losing 506 while 590 matches were drawn. Maccabi’s total goal tally is 3667 – 2086.
Maccabi won 24 league championships, 19 of which after the State of Israel proclaimed its’ Independence in 1948. The club holds almost all the records possible amongst others are:
The highest victory in the league’s history: a 13-0 win over Maccabi Rishon Lezion on January 7th 1950.
Maccabi led the table more than any other club, at the end of 518 league rounds.
Maccabi’s longest run of victories in succession (20 matches) was achieved between July 1949 and October 1951.
The largest number of goals scored in one season (100) was scored by Maccabi during the 1949/50 campaign in 23 rounds only – an average of 4.3 per game.
Eran Zahavi holds the record for the number of goals scored by one player in one season – 35 during the 2015/16 campaign.
Maccabi supplied the league’s top goal scorer 15 times – more than any other club.
Daniel Tenenbaum holds the record for the longest spell without conceding a goal as the Brazilian born custodian kept a clean sheet for 1,272 minutes during the 2019/20 season.
During that season (2019/20) Maccabi also set another record – the largest number of matches with a clean sheet (29) of the 36 league round played.
The youngest, the eldest
Alexander Ubarov is the only player to have featured for Maccabi after the age of 40 as the former Soviet Union Russian born keeper made his final appearance for Maccabi at the age of 40 years and 4 months.
On the other hand, Bonnie Ginzburg holds the record as the youngest player to feature for Maccabi in the league making his debut six days before his 16th birthday in the 1980/81 season.
Maccabi’s leading goal-scorer after the State of Israel proclaimed its’ independence is Avi Nimni with 174 goals to his name.
Maccabi on the opening day of the season
Since Israel proclaimed its’ independence, Maccabi’s record on the league’s curtain raiser currently stands on 38 victories, 18 defeats and 15 draws.
Maccabi’s record appearance holder, Miko Belo, also holds the record for the most successive matches started on the opening day of the season. Belo was named in the starting line on the opening day of the season 17 times between 1965-1981.
Barak Itzhaki scored Maccabi’s fastest goal on the opening day of the season after 48 seconds only against Hapoel Acco in the 2013/14 campaign.
Throughout history, Maccabi scored only twice inside injury time of the season’s opener with Sheran Yeini bagging both goals in the 2008/9 and 2009/10 campaigns.
Tenenbaum signed one-year-deal
Daniel Tenenbaum is set to play his eighth season in Yellow and Blue after signing a new one-year-deal at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
After signing his contract, Tenenbaum told the club’s official website: “Returning to Maccabi, a place that has been a home to me, arriving at Kiryat Shalom every day and to Bloomfield every week – feels to me as the most natural thing in the world and excites me every time. Let’s get to work #AlwaysMaccabi”
Watch: Maccabi beat Celje 4-1
Preview
Four days after securing a place in the Toto Cup Final with a 5-1 victory away to Bnei Sakhnin, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the first leg of the Conference League Playoff match against NK Celje.
Knowing that a good result will prove important ahead of the return leg in Slovenia that will decide the tie, Maccabi’s coach Robbie Keane, started with some of the players he rested earlier in the week.
Daniel Peretz, kept his place in goal as the 23-year-old keeper made his 106th appearance for the club on the eve of his departure to Bayern Munich. Enric Saborit and Nir Bitton were named as the two central defenders in front of Peretz, with Yvann Macon at right-back and Roy Revivo at left-back completing the back four. Joris van Overeem returned to the heart of midfield occupying the anchorman role. Dor Peretz, who scored the opener against Sakhnin and Dan Biton who scored the fifth, completed Maccabi’s midfield trio. Yonatan Cohen, kept his place on the wing who scored a brace and Milson who looked sharp on the wing supplied the width with Eran Zahavi leading the line as well as the team out.
On the bench, Keane, named Roi Mishpati, Idan Nachmias, Dan Glazer, Dor Turgeman, Gabi Kanichowsky, Sheran Yeini, Eyal Golasa, Derrick Luckassen, Ofir Davidzada, Eylon Almog, Shahar Piven and Ido Shahar.
First Half
The support of around 22,030 Maccabi fans at Bloomfield including club owner, Mitch Goldhar, give the hosts the needed umph whilst placed the visitors under pressure right from the off. Maccabi came close to open the score as early as the opening minute with Dor Peretz picking Dan Biton who slid it to Yonatan Cohen. The forward who scored from a similar position at AEK Larnaca in the previous round released a low drive that was collected at ease by Celje’s keeper Matjaz Rozmam.
Maccabi continued to press as Rozman was called into action in the seventh minute as Celje’s keeper first saved Roy Revivo header from Biton’s corner. Eran Zahavi pounced on the rebound and tried firing the ball in but Rozman pulled a reflex save to deny the veteran marksman. Maccabi continued to dominate as Milson tormented Celje’s right-back with his speed and trickery that saw him charge down the left wing. In the 16th minute Peretz had the ball in the back of the net but the goal was disallowed after the referee spotted a handball offence. Two minutes later Cohen was clearly impeded in the box but Lithuanian referee Manfredas Lukjancukas waved for play to continue. VAR’s introduction at this stage of the competition came to the rescue as Maccabi were awarded a penalty. Zahavi stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way and blasted his spot kick in to open the scoring and put Maccabi in front on 22.
Celje were back on level terms a minute before the half hour mark as Mario Kvesic had an initial effort saved by Daniel Peretz before Gregor Badge fired the rebound with Peretz only managing to parry the ball into his own net.
Celje’s tall players kept on threatening from set pieces as a corner in the 40th minute caused Maccabi’s defense all sorts of problems before the ball was hooked off the line with Peretz already beaten.
On the stroke of halftime Dor Peretz was fouled on the edge of Celje’s area by Nino Kouter who was consequently booked. Zahavi tried curling the resulting free kick beyond the wall but couldn’t keep his shot down as the ball sailed high over the crossbar.
Second Half
With no changes at halftime to either side, both teams returned for the second half after the interval. A minutes after the restart, Biton created a chance on the edge of the box but sent his left foot shot high and wide. Milson repeated that within two minutes as he shook of two Celje defenders but saw his left foot curler narrowly miss the target.
In the 51st Maccabi were awarded for their efforts and restored the lead as Cohen sent Joris van Overeem into the Celje area before the Dutch-born midfielder cut the ball back for Zahavi. The 36-year-old stopped the ball with one touch and with only Rozman to beat fired in his second on the night to make it 2-1.
Klemen Nemanic and David Zec were both booked in the space of two minutes before Biton blasted the free kick straight at the Celje wall. A Dor Peretz counter attack a minute after the hour mark saw Zahavi test the keeper with a dipping right foot shot which forced Rozman to stretch himself and save.
In the 71st minute Zahavi completed his hattrick as he rose above Celje’s defenders to meet Biton’s corner and head it in off the underside of the crossbar for Maccabi’s third. Cohen could have made it four two minutes later but his left foot shot had more power than accuracy.
In the 79th minute Keane made a double substitution as Milson and Cohen came off and were replaced by Eyal Golasa and Dor Turgeman who was desperate to make an impact.
Within two minutes of his introduction, Turgeman came close as he dribbled past two defenders into the area before seeing his effort saved by Rozman’s feet. Gabi Kanichowsky came on Biton and Ofir Davidzada replaced Roy Revivo as Keane made two more changes in the 83rd minute.
Zahavi was given a standing ovation as he was replaced by Eylon Almog inside injury time. If that wasn’t enough to raise the roof, then Turgeman’s powerful half volley which found the bottom far corner and made it 4-1 certainly did. Seconds later Turgeman was fouled by Nemanic who was shown a second yellow card which will force him out of next week’s return leg in Slovenia.
Zahavi: “We are proud of Daniel, he is a special kid”
Eran Zahavi scored a hattrick against Celje to give Maccabi a 4-1 advantage in the Conference League Playoff ahead of the return leg in Slovenia. After the game Maccabi fans bid farewell from goalkeeper Daniel Peretz who will head for Germany where he will undergo a medical at Bayern Munich. The veteran striker, who took the match ball home with him, joked after the game: “Forget the ball, I ran to Peretz and asked him for his shirt.” On a more serious note, Zahavi added: “We experienced a very emotional moment here tonight. We are very happy and proud of Daniel, wish him the all the success in the world, believe in him as he deserves everything this world has to offer.”
On Peretz’s move and how it will effect the team, Zahavi added: “Sadly the void Daniel leaves behind him will be difficult to fill as he is a very significant player. His attitude, approach, professionalism and the atmosphere he creates around him. He is a special kid. We will struggle but this is also something which would benefit Maccabi in the future. A club that sells players for such fees every year, maybe we can brand the club as one that creates players. Young players would like to come here as they understand that from here one can progress to the highest places in Europe.”
Zahavi, who scored his ninth goal so far this season, said about his recent good form: “Sometimes the balls go in easier and sometimes it is more difficult. I must have got you all used that every shot on the edge of the penalty box is easy but this is far from it. I am taking responsibility, this is my job and this is what I get paid for – to create chances, to score goals and to be as positive as I can. I am trying to do my best for as long as I am on the pitch.”
Zahavi also paid tribute to Dor Turgeman who scored Maccabi’s fourth goal with a spectacular strike: Turgeman deserves a good word as he brought in plenty of energy and scored an important goal that placed us in a very good position for the return leg.”
Keane’s summary to an emotional night at Bloomfield
Maccabi agree terms on Peretz sale subject to a medical
Maccabi Tel Aviv has agreed terms with FC Bayern Munich for the sale of Daniel Peretz subject to a medical.
“In the coming days we will wish farewell to Daniel Peretz, our prized goalkeeper and friend. A product of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Youth Academy since the age of five, an Israel national and a cherished member of the Maccabi family, Daniel’s first-class professional qualities are surpassed only by his personal character. We are sad to see Daniel go, but we are also proud on many levels and wish him and his new club, FC Bayern Munich, much success in all their endeavours in the coming years”, said Mitch Goldhar, Owner of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Peretz, made his senior debut in August 2019 at Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam where he spent a season long loan, made 34 appearances, and scored 2 penalties. A year later in August 2022 and at the age of 20, Peretz, made his senior Maccabi debut at the Toto Cup Final against Bnei Sakhnin. The following season, Peretz started the campaign as Maccabi’s first choice keeper and helped the side qualify to the Conference League group stages before reaching the Round of 32.
Peretz celebrated his 100th appearance as Maccabi’s keeper at the start of the 2023/24 campaign during the Toto Cup victory over Hapoel Be’ersheva. Overall Peretz made 106 appearances in Maccabi’s goal, 19 of which in European competitions.
At national level, Peretz made his only appearance against Cyprus in November 2022, and in addition has 36 more appearances for the young Israeli sides at U-17, U-18, U-19, and U-21 levels. After helping Israel reach the European U21 Championship finals, Peretz then played an even bigger role in leading Israel U21’s to the Semi Finals.
Thank you Daniel and good luck !
Yeini: “We would like to be dominant and aggressive”
Sheran Yeini, who is leads the list Maccabi’s players in terms of appearances in European, representing the club in European competitions 83 times, faced the media ahead of the Conference League Playoff first leg against Ceje. The 36-year-old remained adamant that both him and his teammates will be prepared for the match against the Slovenians: “Like we always do, we approach every game separately, we don’t look too far ahead, we have the next match ahead of us and we have a new opponent, a game plan and would like to be dominant and aggressive” Yeini said ahead of Celje. “We are playing at home and expect to do a good job. We studied their team, we know their players and style of play. A team like Maccabi must always be dominant and have the opponents respond to us rather than respond to the other team. We respect every opponent, as every team that reaches the Playoff stage is a good team and deserves to be at that stage. Last season Nice didn’t find it easy against Maccabi as the return leg reached extra time. We are very professional, and know it will be a tough match so if we do our job the way we should I hope we could advance.”
When asked about his personal situation, Yeini who is playing his 19th season at the club, added: “I am feeling in good shape, enjoying every moment I have on the pitch and appreciate it as well. I work hard and take myself to the edge whilst challenging my teammates. So far it is looking good, and I am still feeling relevant. As for my position in the squad, I always believe in myself and I am very calm about it. I proved in the past that I can find my place in the squad and intend to do so this year as well.”
Yeini, who won no less than 14 trophies during his career at Maccabi including 5 league titles, said ahead of the start of the 2023/24 campaign: “I strongly believe in this team. The points we lost last season were at matches we shouldn’t have dropped points at. If we would have done our jobs properly, we would have reached the money-time part of the season with a good chance of challenging for the title. It was our fault, in matches like Kiryat Shmona away when we hit the post and the crossbar or Ness Ziona. It doesn’t mean we are not a good team, as the players here are good players. We have new and very interesting players, a new coaching staff with different tactics that players connect to. We draw a lot of confidence from our training sessions and our matches so overall I am positive.”
Raising the pulse: 5 Playoff goals that got us off our seats
Watch: Keane prepares to face Celje
