Goals from Djordje Jovanovic (6), Enric Saborit (68) and Stipe Perica (86) earned Vladmir Ivic’s side a 3-0 victory over Croatian outfit Lokomotiv Zagreb in the third  and final practice match of pre-season.

After two defeats to Aalmannia Aachen (1-0) and Westerlo (2-1), Maccabi began the match on the front foot and came close to score in the opening minute. Brandley Kuwas won possession in the middle of the park and released Parfait Guiagon who flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Five minutes later Maccabi took the lead as Kuwas and Dan Biton combined to break into the area, before the diminutive midfielder  shot struck the base of the post. Djordje Jovanovic reacted first to the rebound and with a cheeky back-heal flick beat Zagreb’s keeper Mykyta Turbaievski to put Maccabi in front.

Biton continued to look lively as in the 12^th minute he blasted a shot from outside the area which sailed over the crossbar. Djordjevic came close to double the score as Biton carved Zagreb’s defence open with a pinpoint pass only for the Serbian striker to be denied by the keeper. Ibrahim Aliyu shot wide from the edge of the area in the 19^th minute as Zagreb reached a chance of their own before a last gasp Sheran Yeini tackle on 28 kept Maccabi’s lead intact. In the 45^th minute Daniel Peretz was drawn into the action as he stretched himself to keep out a Sandro Kulenovic’s header. On the stroke of halftime, Kuwas tried his luck from the edge of the area but the Curacao international’s powerful drive missed the target.

Vladimir Ivic made four changes in the 55^th minute as Biton, Eyal Golasa, Guiagon and Jovanovic made way for Gabi Kanichowsky, Avi Rikan, Eduardo Guerrero and Stipe Perica.

Four minutes later Peretz pulled a stunning save to deny Art Smakaj whose powerful effort from inside the area was equalled by Maccabi’s custodian. Two minutes after the hour mark, Kuwas came close once again but Zagreb’s keeper, Krunoslav Hendija kept the Croat’s in the game.

In the 68^th minute however, Hendija managed only to deny Idan Nachmias’ header following a Kanichowsky corner, but as the central defender flicked the rebound back into the danger zone, Guerrero headed to Enric Saborit who slotted in the second goal.

The Panamanian forward played a central role in Maccabi’s third goal on 86 as he twisted and turned before crossing to Perica whose close range header sealed the win.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Daniel Peretz, Andre Geraldes (Maor Kandil 73), Idan Nachmias, Sheran Yeini, Enric Saborit (Ofir Davidzada 73), Joris van Overeem (Nadav Niddam 73), Dan Biton (Gabi Kanichowsky 55), Eyal Golasa (Avi Rikan 55), Brandley Kuwas (Eylon Almog 73), Parfait Guiagon (Eduardo Guerrero 55), Djordje Jovanovic (Stipe Perica 55).

Lokomotiva Zagreb: Mykyta Turbaievski (Krunoslav Hendija 46), Marko Vranjkovic, Nikola Soldo, Vladan Bubanja, Ivan Milicevic, Mateo Maric, Art Smakaj, Lukas Kacavenda, Ibrahim Aliyu, Luka Stojkovic, Sandro Kulenovic.

Substitutes:, Krsevan Santini, Albion Marku, Hajdin Salihu, Marin Soticek, Indrit Tuci, Justin de Haas, Sherif Kallaku, Silvio Gorcian, Raul Florucz, Fabijan Krivak, Luka Islic, Jakov Vasilj.

Referee: Sander Huijs (NED).

Matan Hozez today signed a new 3-year-deal which will keep him at the club he grew up until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Hozez, who scored last season 6 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, has a total tally of 10 goals in 88 appearances, told the club’s official website: “I am delighted and excited to remain at home, looking forward to rejoin the team, work hard and do everything to reach our goals this season”.

Maccabi’s Head of Football Department, Barak Itzhaki, added: “As a player who completed the journey at Maccabi all the way from the small age groups to the Senior side, Matan Hozez has demonstrated alongside his ability – determination, diligence and persistence. We are delighted to keep Matan at the club for the coming years and wish him good luck”.

In July 2016 Hozez made his senior debut at a Toto Cup match against Maccabi Petah Tikva. After loan spells with Hapoel Ashkelon, Bnei Yehuda and Hapoel Haifa, Hozez was part of Maccabi’s championship (2019/20) and State Cup (2020/21) victories.

Maccabi suffered their second defeat of pre-season going down 2-1 to Belgian outfit KVC Westerlo at the Het Kuipje stadium on Saturday.

Vladimir Ivic made several changes from the match against Aachen, but Thomas Van den Keybus gave Westerlo the lead on 34 as his powerful drive found the top corner of Daniel Peretz’s goal. Parfait Guiagon, Stipe Perica and Eylon Almog all had shot blocked by Westerlo’s defence as Maccabi were trailing 1-0 at the interval.

Ivic made four changes at the restart as Djordke Jovanovic and then Eduardo Guerrero both missed chances to level the score but were stopped by Westerlo’s keeper Koen Van Langendonck.

Daniel Tenenbaum replaced Peretz in goal right on the hour mark, and four minutes later he was also forced to pick the ball out of the net as Kyan Vaesen doubled Westerlo’s lead.

Brandley Kuwas and Gabi Kanichowsky both looked lively as Maccabi appeared more dangerous in the second half before being rewarded for their efforts as referee Wim Amet awarded a penalty on 83.

Jovanovic stepped up and successfully converted the spot which proved as a consolation goal only.

Maccabi: Daniel Peretz (Daniel Tenenbaum 60), Andre Geraldes (Maor Kandil 60), Enric Saborit (Sheran Yeini 46), Idan Nachmias (Avi Rikan 68), Guy Mizrahi, Eyal Golasa (Nadav Niddam 60), Joris van Overeem (Tamir Glazer 68), Dan Biton (Gabi Kanichowsky 46), Parfait Guiagon (Eduardo Guerrero 60), Eylon Almog (Brandley Kuwas 46), Stipe Perica (Djordje Jovanovic 46).

Tal Ben Chaim has ended six successful seasons at Maccabi Tel Aviv of two tenures between 2013-2017 and 2020-2022 during which  he won 6 titles: 2 League Championships (13/14 and 14/15), 2 State Cups (14/15 and 20/21), 1 Toto Cup (14/15) and 1 Super Cup (20/21).

Whilst wearing Maccabi’s Yellow and Blue colours, the 33-year-old winger scored a total of 56 goals in 255 appearances of which 55 in European competitions and is ranked in 4^th place amongst players who represented Maccabi in Europe.

Ben Chaim, who was part of the team which played in the Champions League group stages (15/16) also played with Maccabi in the Europa League group stages (13/14 and 20/21) and the Conference League (21/22) as well as advancing to the round of 32 twice.

Thank you Tal and good luck!

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement with Beitar Jerusalem on the loan of Bar Cohen until the end of the 2022/23 season. The 21-year-old midfielder scored 1 goal in 28 appearances in all competitions last season during a loan spell with Hapoel Nof Hagalil.

A new season is just around the corner, shortly before the team will enter the pitch, Maccabi Tel Aviv and FILA are proud to launch the official new Home and Away kits of the 2022/23 season.

For the fourth  season in succession, the winning collaboration between the biggest club in Israel and the giant Italian fashion house continues. This time round, FILA surprised us once again with high end fashionable designs similar to those which could be found at the top end of world sports.

Yellow. Blue. Maccabi

The design of Maccabi’s official new home kit was inspired by the two colours identified mostly with the club – which were incorporated into one shirt with a vertical stripy print in the shades of Yellow and Royal Blue. The shirt is made out of a quality textile with the Maccabi club crest featuring at the front. Above the silicone crest, four stars are embroidered representing the 24 league champions won by the most decorated club in Israeli football.

In the jungle

In contrast to the slick and classic design of the home attire, when it comes to the Away kit, FILA were given a free reign to go wild. The result is a dazzling look away jersey which has a wild tonal camouflage pattern print of blue shades. The jacquard woven shirt includes identical details to those appearing on the original shirts worn by Maccabi’s players.

Other features of the away kit include:

• A fit cut.
• Short sleeve
• A highly innovative 100% Polyester Jacquard woven material that helps cool the body and maximises sweat evaporation.
• A silicone patch club crest with four stars embroidered on the shirt.
• A badge on the side signifying the originality of the 2022/23 kit.
• * A refreshing new appearance will also be visible as the main sponsor – with the logo of real estate giants ISRAEL-CANADA taking center stage at the front of the shirt.

Your new kits are already waiting for you at Maccabi’s official online shop and the official store at Bloomfield stadium. Members of the FOREVER supporters club? You earned yourselves a 10% discount in an online purchase of the new Home and Away kits at the online store. A coupon code will be sent to you via a text messages (SMS).

Elsamed Ramaj (7) scored the only of the game to earn Alemannia Aachen a 1-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in a pre-season friendly at the training camp in Mierlo Holland.

Vladimir Ivic who used the match to share the minutes between almost all his squad, saw his side dominate the game right from the start. Eylon Almog and Stipe Perica who started the match upfront could have scored both in the opening two minutes, but Almog’s sent his shot wide before Perica had his effort equaled by Aachen’s keeper Yannik Bangsow.

In the seventh minute Aachen charged forward for a counter attack and in their first chance Elsamed Ramaj ghosted in behind Maccabi’s defense before squeezing the ball past Daniel Peretz.

Joris van Overeem made his first appearance in Maccabi’s colors almost set up the equalizer in the 22^nd as his cross found Perica who flicked the ball wide.

Almog had another couple of efforts blocked by Aachen’s defence as Maccabi increased the pressure. Two minutes before the interval the lively Gabi Knichowsky managed to steal the ball and charge forward but his telling cross was cleared by Aachen’s defence from the goalmouth.

On the stroke of halftime Kanichowsky curled a corner into the danger-zone before Perica rose high and sent a powerful header which was making its’ way in only for Bangsow to deny the tall Croat with a fingertip save.

Vladimir Ivic changed his entire team after the restart as Parfait Guiagon, Dan Biton, Brandley Kuwas, Eduardo Guerrero and Djordje Jovanovic all tried to breach Aachen’s defence in an attempt to level the score.

A Biton corner in the 47^th minute reached Maor Kandil whose shot sneaked wide of the post. A minute later, Jovanovic had the ball in the back of the Germans net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Two minutes after the hour mark, Guerrero cut into the penalty area before curling a shot which sailed wide of the upright.

Maccabi continued to dominate as Biton tried his luck with a shot which was equaled by Aachen’s keeper on 73. Three minutes later Guiagon sent a shot which narrowly missed the target as did a similar effort from Kuwas. Jovanovic had an effort blocked by an Aachen defender and inside injury time Maccabi were given a last chance to draw level after the Serbian striker was fouled right on the edge of the area. But Biton’s shot crashed against the German wall before the referee blew the full time whistle.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Daniel Peretz (Daniel Tenenbaum 46), Andre Geraldes (Maor Kandil 46), Idan Nachmias (Shahar Piven 46), Sheran Yeini (Nadav Nidam 46), Enric Saborit (Guy Mizrahi 46), Ofir Davidzada (Dan Glazer 46, Tamir Glazer 87), Joris van Overeem (Parfait Guiagon 56), Gabi Kanichowsky (Dan Biton 46), Eyal Golasa (Brandley Kuwas 46), Eylon Almog (Eduardo Guerrero 46), Stipe Perica (Djordje Jovanovic 46).

Alemannia Aachen: Yannik Bangsow (Marcel Johnen 46), Marco Müller (Castles 46), Franko Uzelac (Aldin Dervisevic 46), Lukas Wilton (Marcel Damaschek 46), Sebastian Schmitt (Lars Oeßwein 46), David Sauerland (Julian Schwermann 46), Dino Bajric (Frederic Baum 46), Hero (Exauce Andzouana 46), Tim Korzuschek (Ergun Yildiz 46), Elsamed Ramaj (Home 46), Dimitri Imbongo (Jannik Mause 46).

Referee: Steve Janssen (Holland).