“We are extremely disappointed” Eran Zahavi said at the end of the match that saw Maccabi crash out of the State Cup. “Reineh entered our penalty box three times and scored twice. We concede too easily, with a bit of bad luck, lack of concentration and aggressiveness, understanding the situation – one can’t continue this way. We need to a be a lot more focused, more concentrated to be more Maccabi Tel Aviv.”

Zahavi, who didn’t add to his six-goal tally in all competitions and struggled to reach many chances, added: “Even our attacking game is a team effort. I didn’t receive the ball too much. We were lacking in the final pass and didn’t have it today. We didn’t reach the chances we needed to and when we did it was half chances, but they were not as good as we are used to. We are dropping points to smaller clubs, but they also want to win duals, and we were lacking in that department. We will just have to improve.”

The 37-year-old captain who was disappointed to mis a chance to add a title to his trophy cabinet, added: “We are Maccabi Tel Aviv and must come and display good form over 90 minutes. Despite the fact I have a lot of respect for our opponents, I am disappointed for the fans. But Maccabi must beat a team like Reineh in the Cup especially at Bloomfield in front of our fans. Fair play to Reineh as I wish them all the best of luck.”

To sum up his personal performance on the night, Zahavi said: “I think I was back to my good form, I am playing more minutes and enjoying my football. As for the chances, I need chances to be created for me, I was never a player who dribbles, I need to receive the ball in the dangerous chances and today it wasn’t as much. When the game is flowing, I can bring my ability and when it doesn’t happen it is tougher.”

Preview

Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the State Cup Round of 16 tie against Maccabi Bnei Reineh aiming to return back to winning ways and secure a place in final eight of the competition.

Maccabi’s Head Coach Zarko Lazetic, who completed his one-match-touchline-ban at the weekend, made 9 changes from the side which was held to a 2-2 draw away to Ironi Tiberias.

Simon Sluga made his second Maccabi appearance as the Croatian custodian who kept a clean sheet against Hapoel Jerusalem in the previous round, started in goal. Raz Shlomo, one of two survivors from Saturday’s draw against Tiberias, was partnered by Stav Lemkin at the heart of defense. Tyrese Asante and Roy Revivo returned to the right and left back position to complete Maccabi’s defensive line. Issouf Sissokho and Ido Shahar formed Maccabi’s engine room with Wesley Patati, the second player who started against Tiberias, completing the midfield trio. Hisham Layous on one wing and Elad Madmon on the opposite flank supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation with Eran Zahavi spearheading the attack. The 37-year-old, wearing the captain’s armband, will aim to add to his tally 6 goals in all competitions this season.

On the bench Lazetic named, Roi Mishpati, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Joris van Overeem, Nemanja Stojic, Henry Addo, Ofir Davidzada, Dor Peretz and Osher Davida.

First Half

Maccabi began the match with purpose and intention pushing forward with an aim to score an early goal. Ido Shahar had the first sight of goal but his shot from tbe edge of the area was easily collected by Reineh’s keeper Gad Amos. Minutes later Roy Revivo was fouled by Reineh’s Serbian defender Nemanja Ljubisalvjevic before Eran Zahai stepped up to take the free kick. Zahavi drilled a right foot shot which was making it’s way into the top corner but Amos managed to claw the ball out for a corner. Maccabi continued to dominate with Elad Madmon flashing a header over the crossbar in the 11th minute.

Raz Shlomo was the first player to be booked by referee Yoav Mizrahi as the central defender was penalised for tugging the shirt of Muhamed Usman just inside Reineh’s half on 18. Simon Sluga in Maccabi’s goal pulled a reflex save to deny Leroy Mondzenga from converting a cross into his net from close range.
Weslley Patati who looked dangerous down the right flank throughout the first half, lacked accuracy as his crosses into the box couldn’t find a Maccabi teammate in every attempt he tried.

Second half

Reineh threatened to draw first blood after the interval but Sluga punched away Sa’ar Fadida’s powerful drive. A minute later Maccabi finally broke the deadlock as a long ball out of defense released Hisham Layous down the left flank before the burst forward and squared to Ido Shahar who volleyed home. Bloomfield erupted to celebrate the goal but the visitors were back on level terms almost instantly. Reineh exploited a mix-up in Maccabi’s defense before Fadida tuced the ball home from close range to make it 1-1 on 49.

Boosted by the equaliser Reineh came close to complete their comeback on the hour mark as Mondzenga emded a counter attack with a shot which shaved the crossbar. In the 74th minute Lazetic added fresh pair of legs as he introduced Osher Davida for Layous. Inside injury time Reineh took the lead as a cross into the box was turned in by Ezekiel Henty whose flick beat Sluga to make it 2-1. Lazetic sent on Dor Turgeman for Shahar in a bid to try and grab and late equaliser, but Reineh managed to hold on.

Idan Nachmias experienced a roller coaster ride of a match against Ironi Tiberias. The 27-year-old defender scored an early goal which was disallowed, before dropping a two-goal-lead on the way to a late 2-2 draw. After the match, Nachmias faced the TV cameras and said: “We were leading 2-0 against Tiberias away, move the ball, around and totally control the game. We dropped two valuable points here and now must look forward and try learning from these things. We must pick ourselves up, move on and ensure we are stronger and more powerful especially when we lead by two goals and should score the third and fourth. At situations like that, when we are dominating matches, we can’t concede goals. Now we will have to move on from here.”

Having failed to beat the newly promoted side in two attempts this season, Nachmias tried explaining how Maccabi struggle against teams from the lower half of the table: “It happened too many times that we dropped points at matches like this. It is never too late to learn, develop and improve. We will put our emphasis on that.”

Nachmias, who made his 12^th league appearance this season and is 7 matches short of 100 Maccabi appearances, added: “Regardless of the title race, when you are Maccabi Tel Aviv, you can’t afford to drop points against any team. We only focus on ourselves and the title race is still far ahead.”

Preview

Maccabi arrived at Nof Hagalil’s Green stadium for the MD18 WINNER League match away to Ironi Tiberias aiming to record their second victory in succession. Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, who is serving a one-match-touchline-ban made four changes from the side that beat Ashdod 5-1 at Bloomfield last week.

Roi Mishpati, making his 31st appearance this season and 65th for the club kept his place in goal. Raz Shlomo and Nemanja Stojic lined-up as the two central defenders in front Mishpati. Idan Nachmias on the right and Ofir Davidzada completed Maccabi’s back-four on the left. Joris van Overeem returned to the anchorman role just behind Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz who led the team out with the captain’s armband. Weslley Patati on one flank and Osher Davida on the other supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation with Dor Turgeman leading the line.

On the bench Lazetic named Shalev Sa’adya, Tyrese Asante, Eran Zahavi, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Issouf Sissokho, Hisham Layous and Ido Shahar.

First Half

Supported by around 4000 travelling fans, Maccabi began the match with purpose and intention to score an early goal. It didn’t take long as in the third minute Tiberias struggled to deal with a Weslley Patati cross into the area which fell to Idan Nachmias who managed to push the ball home. But the celebrations of the central defender were short-lived as VAR spotted that Nachmias handed the ball before scoring and disallowed the goal. Six minutes later Dor Peretz flicked an Ofir Davidzada cross past Daniel Tenenbaum but this time the referee assistant raised his flag, and the goal was disallowed as well. Osher Davida almost surprised Tenenbaum in the 10^th minute as he spotted the former Maccabi keeper off his line and sent a delicate chip which narrowly missed the top corner. Maccabi continued to dominate and as Peretz’s claims for a penalty were waived by referee Dekel Tzino on 13.

In the 28th minute Patati curled a free kick from the edge of the area that landed on the roof of the net. A minute later Maccabi were forced to make the first change as Gabi Kanichowsky limped off and was replaced by Issouf Sissokho.

Tenebaum pulled a reflex save to deny a close-range-header by Peretz following a pinpoint Joris van Overeem cross. A minute later Dor Turgeman was tripped in the box and only the intervention of VAR saw Tzino point at the spot. Turgeman stepped up and buried the penalty beyond the reach of Tenenbaum to put Maccabi in front with his 7th league goal and 11th in all competitions.

Second Half

A minute after the restart Maccabi were awarded a free kick after Yonatan Tepper fouled Turgeman deep inside Tiberias’ half. Patati crossed the free kick into the box where Nemanja Stojic ghosted in at the far post and had his initial header saved before pushing the rebound home to double the lead.

Tiberias came close as Wahib Habiballa flicked a ball which struck the base of Roi Mishpati’s post. In the 52nd minute Tiberias cut the deficit as Bassem Za’arura was sent clear through before firing a shot that beat Mishpati and give the hosts a new lifeline. Two minutes later Maccabi’s bench made a second substitution as Eran Zahavi replaced Patati in a bid to kill the match off.

Maccabi continued to press forward as Zahavi missed a ball the rolled across the face of goal on 63 before Sissokho’s effort was saved by a combination of Tenenbaum and his crossbar.

Tenenbaum came to Tiberias’ rescue as he managed to push away another left foot curling effort by Davida on 81. Tiberias looked dangerous from set pieces as Metanel Tadesa headed a corner over from close range in the 83rd minute.

Hisham Layous and Elad Madmon came on for Davida and Turgeman on 86 as the duo were introduced for the closing stages. Less than a minute later Layous could have sealed the victory as he raced clear through but with only Tenenbaum to beat sent his shot straight at the keeper.

Inside injury time Tiberias scored a late equalizer as Maccabi struggled to clear a corner before Haroun Shapso blasted home from close range to make it 2-2. Tenenbaum saved a Layous half volley to deny Maccabi a goal and ensure the points are shared. Maccabi’s fifth draw of the season takes the point tally to 38 points, as attention now turns to Wednesday’s State Cup at against Maccabi Bnei Reineh at Bloomfield.