Category: First Team
Maccabi beat Haifa 3-0
Preview
On the back of the 6-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya, Maccabi arrived at the Sammy Ofer stadium in Haifa for the penultimate league match of the 2024/25 season. The emphatic 22nd league victory in 34 matches, took Maccabi’s point tally of 74 and the goal difference of 78-36 to +42. Be’ersheva’s 4-1 victory over Maccabi Haifa took their point tally to 74, and their goal difference of 69-27 also to +42. But as the next deciding factor is matches won, Be’ersheva currently have the edge as they lead the table by a solitary victory in one of the tightest title races in the history of Israeli football.
Zarko Lazetic made a single change to the side that won at Netanya as Weslley Patati returned after completing his one-match touchline ban. Simon Sluga who made his league debut against Haifa when both teams last met on MD20 for the match at Sammy Ofer which was abandoned, made his 18th appearance in Maccabi’s goal. Stav Lemkin and Nemanja Stojic lined up as the two central defenders in front of the Croatian custodian. Roy Revivo on his 80th senior appearance in Maccabi’s colors started at left-back with Tyrese Asante completing the defensive line. Maccabi’s engine room remained unchanged as Issouf Sissokho in the anchorman role sat behind Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz to form the midfield trio. Patati on one wing and Osher Davida on the opposite flank supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation. Eran Zahavi who scored a hattrick against Netanya and announced during the week that he will be leaving at the end of the season led the line and the team out with the captain’s armband. The 37-year-old marksman who scored 10 league goals and 13 in all competitions this season will seek to get his name on the scoresheet and keep Maccabi’s title aspirations in tact.
On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Joris van Overeem, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada and Ido Shahar.
First Half
Sammy Ofer was almost full to its’ 30,000 capacity with a green belt surrounding the pitch while the 3000 travelling fans in Yellow and Blue were tucked in the South West corner. While the opening minutes was dominated by nerves yet lacked quality, the atmosphere in the stadium befited a top of the table clash between the two old rivals. In the 12th minute Haifa charged forward for a counter attack which saw Dia Saba rifle a left foot drive which was punched away by Simon Sluga. Five minutes later at the opposite end Gani Kanichowsky tried a snap shot from the edge of the area which flashed just wide of the post. In the 23rd minute however Weslley Patati sent the visiting sector up in the air. The Brazilian winger sent a left footed thunderbolt which rocketed into the bottom left corner to give Shareef Keouf no chance and put Maccabi infront.
Five minutes after the half hour mark Maccabi’s defense to clear a corner as the ball fell to Roy Elimelech whose effort cleared the crossbar. Haifa’s Ali Mihamad lost his footing and collided with Issouf Sissokho who gave Maccabi fans a scare as the Mali midfielder required medical treatment before returning to the field a couple of minutes later. On the brink of halftime Maccabi came close to double their lead as Roy Revivo burst forward from the left and spotted Osher Davida unmarked at the opposite end of the box. But Revivo’s cross bounced in front of Davida whose volley didn’t catch the ball properly before it bobbled off target. Orel Grinfeeld’s halftime whistle sent both teams into the dressing with Maccabi leading by 1-0.
Second Half
The second half began like the first one as Haifa had the fiest chance after Abdoulaye Seck picked Lior Rafaelov unmarked at the far post. Haifa’s veteran captain who will retire at the end of the match guided his header on target but Sluga pulled a reflex save to keep his goal locked. In the 5nnd minute Maccabi doubled their lead as Dor Peretz slipped the ball in for Davida who swept a left foot shot into the bottom far corner to make it 2-0.
A minute after the hour mark Patati won a posession deep inside his own half before charging forward and shrugging of a challenge by Seck. But Patati’s seemed to have wasted too much energy as his effort lacked power. Four minutes later Lazetic made his first change as Eran Zahavi was replaced by Dor Turgeman with Maccabi fans giving the captain a standing ovation.
In the 81st minute a long Van Overeem clearance from defense released Turgeman for another run with Seck before the Senegalese tripped the young Maccabi striker. Grinfeeld didn’t respond but was called to the VAR and gave the Haifa defender a red card. Lazetic made two more changes as he introduced Ido Shahar and Sagiv Jehekel for Sissokhi and Davida. The two substitutes almost made an immediate impact as they combined well to tee up Patati whose effort was blocked. But in the 87th minute Revivo dribbled into the area and as he was brought down Shahar reacted first and blasted the loose ball into the top corner for Maccabi’s third.
Jehezkel already celebrated scoring a goal as he scored but VAR ruled the goal out gir offside. The full time whistle together with news that Beersheva were held to a 1-1 draw by Beitar Jerusalem gave a cue to the celebrations.
Previously: 5 Maccabi goals at Sammy Ofer
Patati: “We only think about winning the the next two matches.”
Lazetic ahead of Maccabi Haifa
Eran Zahavi to depart Maccabi Tel Aviv
Eran Zahavi will leave Maccabi Tel Aviv FC this summer after a total of 7 seasons that have seen him become one of our greatest-ever players.
Eran Zahavi, 37, returned from Palermo in 2013 and at Maccabi was able to become a 4-time League, 1 State Cup, 3-time Toto Cup and 1 Super Cup winner as well as appearances in the group stages of Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues during one of the best eras of our Club.
There is no other player more synonymous with the incredible successes achieved in that time and, with 205 goals in 312 appearances to his name. Zahavi’s achievements in Yellow and Blue are unrivalled throughout our history.
Eran’s final game at Bloomfield Stadium will be on Saturday May 24th against Beitar Jerusalem, where we will have the opportunity to bid farewell to one of the best goal scorers Israel has ever seen.
Maccabi’s Owner, Mitch Goldhar, said: “Eran is unique. He is a special player and an even more special person which is a testament his professionalism, dedication and talent that has seen him rise to the top of the game. He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Maccabi Tel Aviv, and he certainly has my deepest respect and affection. I have shared many moments with Eran , the ups and downs and consider him a friend. We after all share the same birthday. I still remember vividly discussing and agreeing his terms to come back from Italy. We all witnessed how he thrived at Maccabi and the achievements that followed. I am appreciative for everything he has given to this Club. On behalf of everyone at Maccabi Tel Aviv, I wish Eran and his family the very best for the future and I know our supporters will join us in giving him the send-off he deserves at the end of this season. There is still a lot to do and all of us now need to maintain our focus and energy to win the Championship.”
Eran’s career with Maccabi Tel Aviv will be celebrated at our final home game of the season against Beitar Jerusalem.
Lemkin: “We feel we can do it”
Stav Lemkin celebrated his 27th appearance for Maccabi Tel Aviv with a solid performance in the 6-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya. The defender who joined the club on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk this summer, helped Maccabi record its’ 22nd victory of the season. With two matches left until the end of the 2024/25 season, Maccabi’s emphatic victory took the point tally to 74 points. Maccabi Haifa’s 4-1 defeat at Turner saw Hapoel Be’ersheva’s two-goal advantage cancelled but Maccabi remain second in the standing after winning one match less.
Lemkin, who was substituted in the 78th minute, admitted he wasn’t aware of what was happening elsewhere: “When I was on the pitch, I was fully focused on what was happening in the game. When I came off to the bench, that is when I heard all the drama that was going on at Turner stadium. It really was a special evening,” Lemkin added, “We focused on ourselves, and there was a chance to score more goals, so we tried to go for it. After the 4-1, we were really just thinking about how to keep pushing and scoring more, because we are aware of the situation — we’re not blind.”
Lemkin who played as a left sided central defender, said of his position: “This was the first time this season I played as a left-sided center-back. The coach spoke to me about it the day before, and I felt I could handle it. At the end of the day, it is a position I’ve played in the past. Of course, it is easier to play there if you are left-footed, but there are aspects of that role that are more comfortable for a right-footed defender, like cutting inside, carrying the ball, making passes — and I really felt good out there.”
On the competition for places in the starting line-up, Lemkin said: “All our central defenders are national team players. The competition is very tough. Everyone deserves to play, and I understood that when I was sitting on the bench. I always felt I could contribute more. I’m happy I got the chance to prove myself and play.”
Zahavi: “I love the pressure. This is what pushed me throughout my career”
Eran Zahavi had a captain’s display as the 37-year-old striker scored a hattrick to lead Maccabi to an important 6-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya. The hattrick which took his personal tally this season to 10 league goals and 13 in all competitions.
Zahavi, summed up the team effort and the victory which kept the title race alive as Maccabi have 74 points and equaled the goal difference to the one of Hapoel Be’ersheva said: “It was an excellent night for our team and I am delighted to have scored a hattrick which helped the team win which was the most important thing.”
With two matches left until the end of the season, a trip to Sammy Ofer for a match against Maccabi Haifa on MD35 followed by a home match against Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield, Zahavi added: “We have two very tough matches left to play and we will need to win them both. But we will start with the next match against Haifa and do everything we can to win.”
On dealing with such pressure at the business end of the season Zahavi said: “I was in this scenario in the past and learned that we shouldn’t look at things this way. First we must focus on the next game and not look at the goal difference. We need to win the matches and in the end the small details will decide. I don’t know of the championship will be decided on goal difference but every detail is crucial, every centimeter matters.”
Zahavi, who let Dor Turgeman take the penalty Maccabi were awarded early in the first half explained his decision: “Dor is experiencing an amazing season in terms of penalties while I missed recently and missed again earlier this season. I don’t have an ego, these things do not concern me and I will do what is best for the team. I don’t fight these things and if there are others who can score and help us win and take points this is more important.”
On the season he experienced which saw him start many matches on the substitutes bench, Zahavi said: “It hasn’t been an easy season but I think the Playoff kind of makes up for all that. I would like to end the season with the Championship plate which is the most important thing for me. The Playoff is a very important part of the season we experienced.” Zahavi paid tribute to the 7000 travelling Maccabi fans who supported the team for the entire 90 minutes: “The fans deserve a good word as they came here in numbers and saw some good football. I am looking forward to their support at Sammy Ofer next week as well.”
Maccabi beat Netanya 6-1
Preview
Maccabi arrived at the Netanya stadium for the MD34 WINNER League match against sixth placed Maccabi Netanya. With three matches still left to play, Zarko Lazetic’s side have 71 points and are neck and neck with Hapoel Be’ersheva with only two goals separating between the two sides.
Lazetic made three changes from the side which was held to a 1-1 draw by Be’ersheva at Bloomfield as Tyrese Asante stepped into the right side of defense at the expense of Idan Nachmias. Stav Lemkin and Nemanja Stojic lined up as the two central defenders in front of goalkeeper Simon Sluga while Roy Revivo completed Maccabi’s back four at left back. Issouf Sissokho replaced Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role to join Gabi Kanichowsly and Dor Peretz as the midfield trio. The one match touchline ban Weslley Patati is serving forced Lazetic to another change as Dor Turgeman moved to the wing with Osher Davida on the opposite flank. Eran Zahvi led the line and the team out with the captain’s armband as the 37-year-old striker who scored a brace when both teams met at Bloomfield will seek to add to his 10 goals in all competitions.
On the bench alongside Roi Mishpati, Lazetic named Idan Nachmias, Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Joris van Overeem, Elad Madmon, Henry Addo, Ofir Davidzada and Ido Shahar.
First Half
Backed by around 7000 traveling fans who filled the entire east stand Maccabi began the match with purpose and intention. Maccabi’s pressure on Netanya pinned the hosts inside their own half making it difficult for them to even cross the halfway line. A foul on Dor Peretz near the corner of the area allowed Eran Zahavi a fiest sight on goal but his free kick sailed high over the crossbar. Maccabi continued to press forward as Dor Turgeman pressed Netanya’s defenders while Peretz, Issouf Sissokho and Gabi Kanichowsky dominated the centre of the park. In the 10th minute Maccabi were rewarded for their efforts as the east stand was sent into a state of delirium. Kanichowsky fed Osher Davida down the right before the pacey winger cut the ball for Zahavi whose shot deflected off a defender to wrong foot Omer Nir’on, sail into the far corner and put Maccabi infront.
Right on the half hour mark Netanya were back on level terms as Fredy Vargas picked the ball on the edge of the area before cutting inside and curling a left foot shot that beat Simon Sluga and found the top corner. Three minutes later Davida had a powerful drive from inside the area which was punched away by Nir’on. In the 36th minute Heriberro Tavares fouled Roy Revivo just inside the penalty area before referee Yigal Frid didn’t hesitate as he awarded a penalty. Turgeman stepped up to take the spot kick, kept his calm and swept the ball home to restore Maccabi’s lead. Nemanja Stojic was booked on 39 for a tackle on Vargas near the corner flag. The Serbian central defender recovered quickly to head away Maor Levy’s resulting free kick.
A clever Stav Lemkin pass on 42 carved Netanya’s defense open to find Zahavi who released Perez but the midfielder’s effort lacked power and was easily collected by Nir’on. Zahavi and Mohamed Djetei were both cautioned for a tussle in the 44th minute as tempers seemed to flare.
Second Half
With no changes to either side during the interval Maccabi emerged for the second half determined to increase the lead as they began the second period with blitz. In the 50th minute Maccabi’s pressure on Netanya’s defenders saw Zahavi feed Peretz who slipped the ball in for Davida. With only Nir’on to beat Davida slid the ball under the keeper from close range to score Maccabi’s third. Netanya looked startled as two minutes later the blitz continued with Turgeman wasted a chance by opting to shoot when passing to one of three teammates would have been a better decision. But within a minute Kanichowsky sent a cross which Zahavi flicked with his head past Nir’on for his second on the night and Maccabi’s fourth.
In the 67th minute Peretz came close to score one of the best goals this season as an amazing team effort with a series of passes and flicks that left Peretz infront of goal. But the 29-year-old midfielder who missed a crucial chance against Beersheva last week side-footed his shot wide of the target. In the 70th minute Kanichowsky added another assist to his season tally as his cut back was rifled into the top corner by Zahavi for his hatrick and Maccabi’s fifth. A minute later Netanya were reduced to 19 men following a rough tackle on Turgeman. In the 76th minute Itay Ben Shabat fouled Peretz on the edge of the area and before Zahavi could take the free kick Frid was called to the VAR and the Netanya defender was sent off as well. Lazetic made a double change as Lemkin and Sissokho both bowed out and were replaced by Raz Shlomo and Joris van Overeem.
Kanuchowsky came close on 82 as his low drive following good work by Davida but Nir’on managed to save with his feet before catching the ball. Lazetic made three more changes as Peretz, Davida and Zahavi all bowed out to a standing ovation as Ido Shahar, Sagiv Jehezkel and Elad Madmon were introduced for the closing stages.
In the 88th minute Nir’on pulled a reflex save to deny Nemanja Stojic’s close range header before Shahar’s rebound was blocked by Karem Jaaber. The fourth official signalled seven minutes of additional time as Maccabi were given time to increase their lead even further. Inside injury time a Revivo square ball was slotted home from close range by Stojic to increase the lead to 6-1.
The full time whistle sent the players to celebrate the victory and thank the fans for their contribution. With Be’ersheva beating Maccabi Haifa 4-1 to keep the title race going, Maccabi’s next match at Sammy Ofer will be vital
