Maccabi Tel Aviv FC held a ceremony this evening (Thursday) to light the fifth Hanukkah candle at Bloomfield Stadium.

The Club continued a tradition that began following the recent war, welcoming the families of our supporters who lost their loved ones in the murderous October 7th attack and during the fighting, as well as supporters who were injured during the war. Also in attendance were the first-team players, coaching staff, Club employees, and sponsors.

This year’s event conveyed a message of hope and optimism and was hosted by Kayam Boccara, who served as a company commander in the Combat Engineering Corps and was seriously wounded during the fighting in Gaza. The evening was also honored by the presence of Peter Roth, who performed several songs during the moving ceremony.

Club CEO Jack Angelides addressed those in attendance, saying, among other things: “On Hanukkah we speak about light, and today that light comes from the people who are here. Since October 7th, this gathering has become a tradition, a tradition of family and community. It is a community that gives strength to one another, embraces and connects, and provides hope and comfort even in the most difficult moments. As we light the candles, we focus on the strength of our community and on the fact that the light illuminates the path forward, allowing us to keep moving ahead. We are truly grateful for your presence today, and I know that together we will be there for one another.”

Maccabi captain, Dor Peretz also spoke to the families and supporters, saying: “When we stand together, support one another, and give strength, we remind ourselves and those around us of the true meaning of sport, the meaning of values and genuine unity. Thank you for being part of this family. Thank you for your giving, your belief, and your inspiration.”

Nadav Bontzel, brother of Staff Sergeant Amit Bontzel, who served as a fighter in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance unit, said: “Thank you for turning this connection into a strong and lasting tradition. Thank you for standing by our side. May we be granted days of greatness, victories, and joy. May we light the candles in memory of those who are no longer with us and for those who are still here. And may we always, always, remain one family, a strong and united Yellow family.”

The 20-year-old full-back who joined the club from Hapoel Haifa in the summer but waited until the end of November to make his debut league start against Ashdod, said after the match: “First of all, I’m proud of the team for coming back from 2-0. It is not easy with the current situation. We knew we would come back. In my opinion, we looked good throughout the match, moved the ball well, but it didn’t go in during the first half and we conceded to make it 2-0. At half-time we said we’d go out there and not give up, and even at 2-2 this point will be very important at the end of the season. The goal is a bonus, but I leave disappointed with the result because I think we deserved more and looked good. Now we look ahead, there’s a long season.”

Ben Harush, who made his eighth appearance for Maccabi in competitions and has been playing in recent matches as a holding midfielder, added: “I arrived at Maccabi Tel Aviv, the biggest club in the country. It took me some time to settle in. In every training session from the first matchday until now I’ve given everything and waited for my opportunity, and I will continue to give my all. I think I’m improving day by day. The entire club, from things outside training to the staff and the gym, things I didn’t have before, helps me improve every day. Playing now gives me more confidence, and I’m ready for any moment.”

Shahar, who was introduced in the second half, assisted Maccabi’s first goal for Noam Ben Harush on the way to the comeback before scoring a top drawer equalizer admitted after the game: “The most important thing didn’t happen today, and that’s a win. A goal is ultimately a small bonus for me, but in the end we wanted to win. I’d give up that goal for a victory.”

He then referred to the match itself: “We need to win every game here. Despite the result, I truly think we had a good game, actually a very good one. If I’m not mistaken, we had over 30 shots on goal; we should have scored more. The first two times they got to our goal, they scored. A bit of bad luck, there are periods when things go against you and it’s harder, but we’ll do everything to rise above it. We’ll stay in the fight until the very end, and I’m sure that even if it doesn’t look rosy right now, by the end of the season it will be sweet.”

Shahar then spoke about the recent spell which kept Maccabi seven points adrift of top spot, as he added: “It’s not an easy time. All I can promise the supporters and the club from here is that we’ll do everything to win every match and bring home the championship.”

Finally, Shahar addressed the rest of the campaign : “We will try to be the best we can be, and not for a second will we give up or take our foot off the gas. Every one of us looks at ourselves in the mirror, as players, as staff, and everyone who works at the club. I’m sure everyone will do their very best so that we win the championship at the end of the season.”

Preview

Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield Stadium ahead of the WINNER League MD14 against Hapoel Petah Tikva. On the back of last week’s defeat at Turner that saw Hapoel Be’ersheva stretch their lead at the top to eight points, Maccabi will aim to return to winning ways. Zarko Lazetic made several changes from the side that suffered a 4-1 Europa League defeat at Stuttgart. Roi Melika returned to goal with Heitor dos Santos and Ali Camara lining up as the two central defenders infront of the young keeper. Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive line. Noam Ben Harush who played as a holding midfielder at Be’ersheva kept his place and was joined in the engine room by Itamar Noy. Dor Peretz led the team out with the captain’s armband as the 30-year-old was placed at the top of the midfield trio. Helio Varela on the left wing and Osher Davida on the opposite left flank supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation. Saied Abu Farchi led the line as the 19-year-old striker will aim to add to his goal tally of two league goals and four in all competitions this season.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roy Mishpati, Lazetic named Kervin Andrade, Sagiv Jehezkel, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Ben Lederman, Ido Shahar, Itay Ben Hemo and Ilay Ben Simon.

Just before kickoff a ceremony was held as a tribute to former Maccabi player Yonatan Cohen for his time at the club during which he won 10 titles and scored 41 goals in 157 appearances.

First half

The rainy weather conditions must have affected the number of fans as Bloomfield was more than half empty for the match. In the opening minute Heitor dos Santos went into the referee’s book for a mistimed tackle while a couple of minutes later Saied Abu Farchi almost opened the scoring with a flick which cleared the crossbar. Several minutes later Petah Tikva’s keeper omer Katz pulled a stunning reflex save to turn Abu Farchi thunderbolt away for a corner. Maccabi kept pushing forward with Roy Revivo and Helio Varela tormenting Petah Tikva’s defense down the left. Dor Peretz and Ben Harush flashed shots wide of the target as Maccabi continued to look dangerous going forward.

In the 44th minute however Petah Tikva took the lead against the run of play as a counter attack down the right saw Cle send a square ball to Mark Koszta who swept his shot past Ofek Melika. The fourth official added four minutes of added time as the visitors doubled their lead with Koszta finding himself behind Maccabi’s defensive line before lifting the ball over Melika to score his second in the space of three minutes.

Second Half

Lazetic made one change after the break as he introduced Ido Shahar for dos Santos at tbe restart. As a result, Ben Harush pushed back to the right-back role while Asante moved across the defense to partner Ali Camara. Maccabi came close to cut the deficit in the 51st minute as Revivo released Shahar who burst forward and squared to Peretz whose effort missed the target.

Lazetic made another change tight on the hour mark as Osher Davida bowed out and was replaced by Sagiv Jehezkel. A minute later Maccabi were back in the game as Ben Harush scored his debut goal for Maccabi as he swept in Shahar’s cut back to make it 2-1. In the 65th minute Maccabi thought they leveled the score as Jehezkel volleyed in Abu Farchi’s headed flick. VAR intervened and cancelled the goal as Jehezkel was in an offside position but awarded Maccabi a penalty for a foul on Camara. Abu Farchi stepped up to take the penalty but saw his spot kick rattle the crossbar. Revivo pounced on the rebound and forced a save from Katz before Jehezkel tapped the ball home. But once again Maccabi’s celebrations were dhortlived as VAR intervened once again ruling the goal out for offside. Lazetic made another substitution on 76 as Kervin Andrade replaced Varela for the closing stages.

Elad Madmon came on for Abu Farchi as Lazetic added a fresh pair of legs into the attack on 81. Deep inside injury time Ido Shahar curled a left foot shot that went in off the post to level the score at 2-2 and give Maccabi some hopes of snatching a late winner. But despite Maccabi’s siege on Petah Tikva’a goal the visitors defended to salvage a point at the final whistle.

On Maccabi concentrating on the domestic competitions over the coming month, Peretz said: “First of all, the European experience is a blessing, being in that competition and facing teams like that. In a month like this, we have time to work on things that we don’t always manage to fit into the schedule. Physically, it’s a chance to recover and arrive at every match as prepared as possible, and to look our very best.”

“We are Maccabi, we understand that alongside all the challenges, the heavy defeats and a certain shake-up, we are here until the end and we want a trophy at the end of this season. To achieve that, there is no option to give up at any stage. As players and as management, we’ve understood thereus one objective, and we need to go all the way to the end of the season as strong as possible. In challenging moments like these, we move forward together, the staff and the coach. The win against Hapoel Haifa showed a lot of character and also good quality. Now we’re entering a focused run in the league and the cup.”

On the feeling within the camp, Maccabi’s captain added: “There is a very united and positive dressing room. What went out externally doesn’t reflect what’s happening inside, it’s part of a team’s dynamics. We all want the same thing; sometimes there are misunderstandings and different perspectives, and that’s okay as long as you know how to resolve things properly. We’re all here for the same goal.”

On Petah Tikva that had their six match unbeaten run end last week with a 4-0 defeat to Hapoel Tel Aviv, the same result Maccabi beat them in the previous round, Peretz said: “No one is confused by Petah Tikva’s position in the table, everyone respects them. Our preparation is based on their quality, and we’ll prepare properly to show the best version of Maccabi.”

“A win tomorrow can give us good feelings and positive energy for the rest of the month ahead, and that would be great for us,” he added.

On his personal recent form, Peretz, who scored 9 goals in all comepetitions this season, said: “What I bring isn’t measured only by numbers. It’s a challenge to take in the bigger picture. Some players are judged by whether they scored or not, I am not driven by that. It’s a bonus. There’s a very big responsibility that comes with it. I want to push the team even further forward; when the team wins, I feel that I’m part of that”.