Category: News
KANICHOWSKY VOTED AS KOPELL GROUP PLAYER OF THE MONTH
After a busy month that began with a goal and an assist in the 4-1 victory away to Ashdod, ended with a winning goal against Hapoel Jerusalem at Bloomfield, you voted for Gabi Kanichowsky as the KOPELL Group sponsored Maccabi Player of the Month of January.
The diminutive midfielder received most of your votes but was facing tough competition from Dor Turgeman who impressed with five goals to his name including a Tel Aviv derby brace.
Voted for Kanichowsky? Now comes the part you have been waiting for!
At 17:00 on Sunday (Today) whoever voted for Kanichowsky should receive a text message containing the prize question. The first person to send a correct answer will receive a signed shirt by Maccabi’s Player of the Month, Gabi Kanichowsky, as well as an official Maccabi scarf.
Raz Shlomo joins Maccabi
Raz Shlomo signed a 3.5 year-deal with an option to extend by one more season after an agreement was reached between Maccabi and Belgian side Oud-Heverlee Leuven for the transfer of 24-year-old central defender.
Shlomo, (188cm), successfully completed a medical before signing a contract which will keep him at Maccabi for at least until the end of the 2026/27 season.
After completing his transfer, Shlomo, who will wear the number 13 shirt, told the Club’s official website: “To sign for a massive club as Maccabi Tel Aviv is the boyhood dream of every player at the beginning of his journey. There are plenty of players in Maccabi’s squad I played with in the past and I am happy to share the same dressing room with them once again. I know Bloomfield stadium really well, now I’d be happy to experience it from the Yellow side.”
Since moving to Belgium from Maccabi Netanya in the summer, Shlomo, scored 2 goals in 11 appearances for Leuven in all competitions.
From his position as a central defender, Shlomo, scored 1 goal in 10 international appearances for the Israel national side. Shlomo also scored 4 goals in 41 appearances representing the young Israeli national sides at U21, U19, U18, U17 and U16 levels.
Madmon signs four-year-deal at Maccabi
Elad Madmon, will join Maccabi at the start of the 2024/25 season after an agreement was reached with Hapoel Hadera for the transfer of the forward who signed a four-year-deal with an option to extend by a further season.
Madmon, will continue playing at Hadera until the end of the current campaign that saw him score 8 league goals in 23 appearances in all competitions. The forward who will celebrate his 20th birthday next week, made 4 international appearances for the Israel Under 19’s.
What to expect in February?
After a hectic couple of months, packed with no less than 17 matches, February will take us back to normal pace with a fixture list which isn’t as busy. Open your diaries or download the App and synchronize your digital diaries:
Monday, February 5th Maccabi Haifa vs Macabi Tel Aviv, Sammy Ofer stadium at 20:30.
The third meeting inside a month and the second in the league the league leaders and reigning champions lock horns for another top of the table clash.
Saturday, February 10th Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Bnei Sakhnin, Bloomfield stadium at 15:00.
Maccabi return to Bloomfield stadium for the early kickoff match on Saturday suitable for the entire family. This will also be the third times both teams face each other this season as a Totop Cup Semi Final saw Maccabi win 5-1 in August followed by a 3-2 league victory in December. Let us hope the weather will be kind for Sakhnin’s first visit at Maccabi‘s home ground.
Monday, February 19th Maccabi Netanya vs Maccabi Tel Aviv, Netanya stadium at 20:00.
Maccabi return to the Netanya stadium where they saw off Hapoel Hadera in the State Cup and Maccabi Haifa were beaten in the Toto Cup Final. This time round Guy Zarfati’s improved side will supply the opposition for Robbie Keane’s charges.
Friday, February 23rd UEFA Conference League Round of 16 draw, Nyon Switzerland.
After setting a new club record by reaching the Round of 16 in a European club competition, Maccabi will learn the identity of their Conference League opponents as the draw is staged at the UEFA Headquarters. Matches are scheduled for March 7th and 14th.
Saturday, February 24th Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Hapoel Be’ersheva, Bloomfield stadium at 20:30.
Elyaniv Barda’s in form side rolls into town as Robbie Keane will be looking for a first home win, over the side he beat twice this season. A 6-1 Toto Cup victory at Turner in what was his first competitive match as Maccabi’s Head Coach back in July, which was followed by a 1-0 away win in the league in December.
Tuesday, February 27th State Cup Round of 16, Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Maccabi Jaffa, Bloomfield stadium at 20:30.
Having won the Toto Cup, Keane’s charges will aim to continue their State Cup run as they host second division side Maccabi Jaffa for a mini-Tel Aviv derby in the Round of 16 of Israel’s primary Cup competition.
Davidzada: “I understood my leadership is needed this season”
Ofir Davidzada set up the first goal for Dor Turgeman as Maccabi came back from a goal behind to beat Hapoel Jersualem 2-1 at Bloomfield. At the end of the match the experienced left-back summed up the match: “It wasn’t easy tonight as we played against a very good Hapoel Jerusalem team that has a very good coach in Ziv Ariye. They are causing t5he entire league problems and are always tough to play against.”
Davidzada, who recently made his 200th appearance in all competitions for Maccabi since joining in 2017, added: “I am 32 this season which isn’t old in terms of age, but I have matured in terms of character. Several key players left us, and I felt it was my time to grab their place and assume leadership. We have many young talented players as my role is to help them by giving them tools which would serve them in the future. This is something which would benefit Maccabi as a club but also very important for us ion order to achieve our targets as we are all in this together.”
Davidzada, who was used by Robbie Keane as a makeshift central defender, said of his versatility: “Regardless of where you place me, I will give everything for the team. I strongly believe in my ability which is something I have been working on mentally. I am just glad the coach has faith in me and I could repay him on the pitch.”
On the hectic fixture list which saw Maccabi play a match every three weeks over a period of 45 days, Davidzada summed up: “It was a very challenging spell, but one has to give credit to our coach and coaching staff, as well as our fitness coach (Yossi Zigdon) for preparing us to play every game. I think we looked like we were in good shape, and we were not so tired. This was a challenging period but as players we want to play as many games as possible. The circumstance which led to that are extremely sad, and from here we would like to say that we wish all the hostages return home as we are waiting for them. We also wish all the soldiers return home safe and sound, for all this to be over soon. I am just happy we managed to survive this period and we are looking at our future targets.”
Turgeman: “One needs to know to win matches like that”
Dor Turgeman who cancelled Hapoel Jerusalem’s early lead by scoring his 7th league goal and ninth in all competitions this season, said at the end of the 2-1 victory at Bloomfield: “We did our job by collecting the three points and we now move on to focus on the next game. Turgeman, who started the match upfront, added: “It is always fun to score, especially when it helps the team as now we can move on. I am here to help the and take my chance when I receive it. I am just happy to have done it.”
The 20-year-old forward who faces tough competition from Eran Zahavi which was made even tougher by the new addition of Yonas Malede, said on the challenges he has: “Competition for places is a healthy thing as it takes the best out of you and makes you work even harder. We are working very hard and one has to know how to win matches like that. I am just delighted we did it.”
Keane’s summary of the victory
Maccabi beat Hap. Jerusalem 2-1
Maccabi returned to league action after a week-long-break which saw Robbie Keane’s charges win the Toto Cup Final and advance to the State Cup Round of 16. While Maccabi are top of the table with a one point gap from next week’s opponents Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Jerusalem arrived at Bloomfield stadium for the MD19 ONE ZERO League match in 11th place. After resting several players during the Cup victory over Hadera, injuries and suspensions forced Maccabi’s coach to make more changes against Jerusalem as well.
Enric Saborit’s ankle injury and the one match touchline ban Roy Revivo was serving saw Matan Baltaxa partner Derrick Luckassen as the two central defenders in front of Roi Mishpati. Avishai Cohen was named by Keane as the right full-back while Ofir Davidzada completed Maccabi’s back-four on the opposite left flank. Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz who were all rested against Hadera returned to the midfield with Peretz wearing the captain’s armband. Kiko Bondoso who started against Hadera kept his place as did Dan Biton while Dor Turgeman led the attack allowing Eran Zahavi much needed rest on the bench.
Alongside Zahavi, Keane, named Daniel Tenenbaum, Yonatan Cohen, Sheran Yeini, Eyal Golasa, Saied Abu Farhi, Ido Shahar, Eden Kartzev and Osher Davida.
Prior to kickoff Maccabi held two ceremonies, the first for Shahar Piven honoring his contribution to the club that included 7 trophies and 118 appearances between 2018-2023. The second ceremony in memory of former player Aharon Aharonskind who made 81 appearances for Maccabi during the 50’s and 60’s and died earlier this month at the age of 83.
First Half
Maccabi could have had a perfect start to the game as a Dan Biton corner inside the opening minute threatened to cause Jerusalem all sorts of problems but Adebayo Adeleye managed to push the ball out. A mistake by Derrick Luckassen at the opposite end gifted Jelle Duin a chance on but his effort struck the side netting. What was an initial warning sign replicated itself within minutes as the visitors took an early lead. A mix-up between Luckassen and Avishai Cohen near the centre circle allowed Duin a clear run on goal before he lifted the ball over the advancing Roi Mishpati to make it 1-0.
Maccabi enjoyed the majority of the posession yet couldn’t break through Jerusalem’s defence as Joris van Overeem was booked by referee David Fuxman for a foul on Aynao Prada. A minute later however Maccabi were back on level terms at the end of spectacular team effort. Kiko Bondoso carried the ball down the left before releasing Ofir Davizada whose square ball was flicked home by Dor Turgeman. Bondoso was booked two minutes later for stopping a Matan Hozez counter attack while the diminutive Portuguese winger could have completed the comeback in the 36th minute. A Luckassen square ball caught Jerusalem’s defence flat to reach Bondoso unmarked at the far post but his effort was denied by Adeleye.
On the stroke of halftime Davidzada almost scored a rare goal as he was put through by Biton but from 5 meters out on his weak right foot, miscued his shot wide.
Second Half
Dor Peretz came close to put Maccabi in front in the opening minute but his dipping long range effort shaved the top of the crossbar. Maccabi finally took the lead in the 51st minute as Jerusalem’s defence cleared a Biton attempt of a cross into the path of Gabi Kanichowsky whose half volley beat Zamir to make it 2-1.
Turgeman could have increased Maccabi’s lead and double his tally on the night a minute later as he found himself with only the keeper to beat, but Zamir pulled a double save and kept the ball out. Turgeman was on fire as his shot from the edge of the area in the 56th minute was turned by Zamir for a corner that was cleared.
Keane shuffled his side as he made a triple substitution in the 73rd minute as Eden Kartzev replaced van Overeem, Osher Davida came on for Bondoso while Eran Zahavi was introduced for Turgeman.
An Osher Davida counter attack in the 80th minute saw the winger race from the halfway line but was let down by his square ball that was directed at Biton but was cleared. Peretz came off to a standing ovation on 86 as Keane made his fourth change by introducing Eyal Golasa for the closing stages. Seconds after the fourth official indicated five minutes of added time, Keane made his fifth and final change as Yonatan Cohen replaced Biton.
Zahavi could have scored another at the death but the veteran marksman sent his shot over the crossbar before Fuxman ended the match with the full time whistle.
Malede joins Maccabi
Yonas Malede signed a 3.5 year-deal with an option to extend by one more season after an agreement was reached between Maccabi and Belgian side KV Mechelen for the transfer of 24-year-old forward.
Malede, (188cm), successfully completed a medical before signing a contract which will keep him at Maccabi for at least until the end of the 2026/27 season.
After completing his transfer, Malede, who will wear the number 15 shirt, told the Club’s official website: “After three years abroad I am delighted to return to Israel and sign for the club everyone wants to play for or be part of. If it wouldn’t have been for Maccabi Tel Aviv, I don’t think I would have returned to Israel. Now that I am back, I would like to work hard, prove myself and win titles”.
This season, Malede, made 14 appearances for Mechelen and a total of 46 since joining them from KAA Gent in July 2022.
In his first season in Belgium, Malede, made 41 appearances for Gent winning the Belgian Cup. The former Maccabi Netanya forward made a total of 10 appearances for Israel at national, U21 and U19 levels.
