Maccabi face Turkish side Besiktas tomorrow (19:45) for MD5 of the Europa League in Debrecen Hungary.

The team held the final practice session at the Kiryat Shalom training complex before heading for Ben Gurion Airport where they will depart to Hungary.

Upon arrival the team will hold the pre-match press conference at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen.

Dor Peretz said ahead of the match: “We return to Europe and hoping to play the best match we possibly can play. We prepared accordingly based on the coaching staff’s procipals and we will be ready.”

On the fact Besiktas will not host Maccabi in Turkey but do so in Debrecen, Peretz said: “Yes, it’s Hungary again where we just spent a few days with the national team. This is the situation for the moment but we focus on what will happen on the pitch. We will prepare for the opponents as best as we.possibly can, bring our own principals into effect and do the best we can.”

On the qualities of the opponents, Peretz summed up: “There are big names playing there but we will prepare accordingly, are aware of our qualities and do our best”.

As the international break which saw a large number of first-team players represent their national sides, Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic worked with the rest of the squad to maintain match sharpness. Idan Nachmias, Raz Shlomo, Dor Peretz, Roi Mishpati and Dor Turgeman who all represented Israel were given a much-needed rest as were Nemanja Stojic Serbia) and Tyreses Asante (Holland U23).

Without the internationals, promotion hopefulls Hapoel Petah Tikva supplied the opposition for the friendly match at the Kiryat Shalom training complex that was won 4-1. 

Petah Tikva, currently second in the second division took an early lead on 25 after Jocelin Ta Bi’s shot deflected off Stav Lemkin to beat Simon Sluga. Maccabi were back on level terms in the 38th minute after Wessley Patati picked the ball on the halfway line, charged forward and blasted home from the edge of the area. Maccabi completed the comeback just before the break as Eran Zahavi successfully converted a penalty after Ido Shahar was brought down inside the area.

Lazetic made several changes after the break but Maccabi continued to dominate and were awarded another penalty after Avishay Cohen was fouled. Shahar this time took the penalty to increase the lead to 3-1 on 70. Four minutes later Patati bagged his second with his right foot following good work by Cohen down the right to seal the win at 4-1.

Maccabi will continue preparing for the Europa League MD5 against Besiktas in Debrecen, Hungary, before returning to domestic action away to Bnei Reineh.

Maccabi: Simon Sluga, Avishay Cohen, Stav Lemkin, Idan Weinberg (Roy Revivo 70), Sagiv Jehezkel (Itay Malma 46), Joris van Overeem (Issouf Sissokho 60), Ido Sahhar (Yoav Jonio 78), Wessley Patati (Anis Porat Ayash 78), Osher Davida (Henry Addo 46), Hisham Layous (Gabi Kanichowsky 46), Eran Zahavi (Yoans Malede 46) 

 

 

Israel:

The Israel national team ended their Nations League A campaign bottom of Group 2 but with two impressive results. Israel salvaged an impressive 0-0 draw at the Stade de France in Paris before recording the first victory of the campaign beating Belgium 1-0 at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest, Hungary.

Idan Nachmias, Raz Shlomo Sagiv Jehezkel and Dor Turgeman were all starters against France with Dor Peretz making a substitute appearance. Nachmias, Shlomo and Dor Peretz started against Belgium while Turgeman remained on the bench and Jehezkel serving a one-match suspension. Goalkeeper Roi Mishpati was an unused substitute on both matches.

Nemanja Stojic:

26-year-old Serbian central defender, Nemanja Stojic, made a 45-minute substitute appearance in his country’s 1-1 draw away to Switzerland. Stojic, was an unused substitute in the 0-0 home draw against Denmark which saw Serbia finish Group 4 in 3^rd place.

Tyrese Asante:

The Dutch defender completed 90 minutes for Holland’s U21 side that ended their friendly match with England U21 in a 1-1 draw. Earlier in the week, Asante was an unused substitute in Holland’s U21 friendly against Slovakia that ended in a 3-3 draw.

 

Roi Mishpati, celebrated his call-up to the Israel national team squad with a fifth clean of the season and a seventh victory in the league as Maccabi beat Bnei Sakhnin 4-0 at Acco.

After the match, the 31-year-old keeper said after the match: “The victory was extremely important for us after what happened in the last few days” Mishpati said. “It was important for us to do that at especially at a match which was played behind closed doors with no fans in attendance and with no atmosphere, as we knew they are watching us from home and wanted to make them as happy as possible. We all experienced very complex days recently. I am just glad that everyone returned to Israel safely.”

Mishpati gave an insight into how the players saw things during the tough night in Amsterdam: “We returned to our team hotel after the match and the players’ phones were just bombarded with messages. Yoav Ziv, our Team Manager set up a Headquarters and tried to assist fans as much as possible. On our flight back home we also added as many fans as we could. It wasn’t a minor issue, but the Jewish nation is being hunted and I am really relieved everyone returned home safe. I just hope that action will be taken against the perpetrators.”

On the atmosphere in the build-up ahead of the match against Sakhnin, Mishpati who was in goal as Maccabi suffered four defeats in succession said: “We had a lot of motivation to win here tonight, especially after our recent results but also after what happened in Holland. I felt the players after the final practice session, at the hotel, and in the dressing room – we just exploded. I am delighted it came at this match.”

On his first ever call-up to the Israel national team, Mishpati said: “There isa no one happier than me to be part of the nation al team squad. Every player dreams of making it to the national team and just to tick that box. I will just give everything I have got once I am there.

Gabi Kanichowsky captained Maccabi on a night the team ended a run of four successive defeats and a traumatic trip to Amsterdam by beating Bnei Sakhnin 4-0 behind closed doors in Acco.

The 27-year-old midfielder who set up one of the goals in Maccabi’s seventh victory of the season, said at the end of the match: “What we experienced last week was extremely difficult, my heart goes out to the fans. Even my brother was there,” Kanikowsky said of the shocking scenes the team and fans experienced in Amsterdam, “It is really complex days for the fans as it was important for us to show that everything was fine and that we are with them. Even at a tough match, to step down from the highest stage to a match behind closed doors – I am just happy that the entire team did a good job today.”

“What we had seen and experienced, the fans, the families, experienced things I really don’t remember,” he added, “It is tough but I’m happy that everyone returned home safely. You see the pictures and feel helpless but I’m happy that they returned home and that we won for them.”

On the team has been coping with the situation, Kanichowsky added: “”We spoke with each other that we’re obviously tired, but the mental side of things is the most powerful. We said that this is a game which is played in our minds and I’m glad we proved it. With all the hardships and all that we have been through, I’m delighted we did it.”

Kanichowsky hit back at those who disrespected Maccabi following the recent result: “We are always eulogized, but we are still joint top and have the same number of points as Beitar Jerusalem. We have a crazy overload, a new team and a new coach. But let them talk. We’re doing our part and that’s the most important thing.”

Kanichowsky paid tribute to fellow midfielder Joris van Overeem who scored his debut goal for Maccabi: “I am delighted for Joris, after he scored his first goal for Maccabi. I am really happy for him.”