Idan Nachmias started the match against Petah Tikva at the heart of Maccabi’s defence, but the 26-year-old admitted after the match that his heart was broken as he broke into tears following his close friend who was killed in Gaza. “It was an extremely emotional match for me” Nachmias said with tears in his eyes, “A very close friend of mine, Shai Termin, was killed in Gaza two days ago. I was wearing a black wrist band in his memory and was planning to score a goal and celebrate in his memory but sadly that didn’t happen. He was such a loved person. I missed his funeral today inorder to play this game. I would like to extend my condolences to the family and all the close friends in these difficult past couple of days.”

Nachnias admitted that preparing for the match in the wake of his personal tragedy wasn’t easy: “Yesterday in training tbe coach and his staff asked me if I feel that I could play” Nachmias revealed, “I worked so hard over the past year, I came back from a long injury and then had another niggling injury so I told them that I would be able to put things aside. When you cross the white line one has to know how to put personal issues aside which is exactly what I did in training yesterday and today as well. I tried to detach myself but when Hatikva was played before the game all the emotions were just overwhelming. As soon as the game kicked off, I only focused on the match.”

On Maccabi’s seconds half comeback, Nachmias added: “The two halves were totally different as we all had a big test of character. At halftime the coach woke us up and you saw how we emerged for the second half. The equaliser was scored very quickly and from there our energy just grew and grew. We showed plenty of character and we are delighted for it.”

Maccabi is not stopping and neither is Eran Zahavi who once again scored a precious goal during the 2-1 victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva on Sunday night. Zahavi, who scored the winning goal with a deadly free kick: “I was only thinking about putting the ball in the back of the net. It was a crucial free kick at a critical moment of the game which made the difference. The ball went in and we collected three very important points. Petah Tikva deserve a lot of credit as they made our lives difficult tonight. We knew it was not going to be easy and we found ourselves a goal behind, but I am delighted we showed character. In the second half we played very well as a team and the most important thing is that we won the match.”

On Maccabi winning yet another match by a small margin, Zahavi replied: “To expect us to do what we did at Be’ersheva by wining 6-1 like we did in the Toto Cup earlier this season is not always realistic. Sometimes there are tough matches and after a hectic fixture list and an overload of matches – we still created enough matches to score and make the game easier. Sometimes the ball doesn’t go in and sometimes it just works out easier. It is very important when you are not playing a perfect game to know how to get back in the game and clinch the points by the skin of your teeth. At the end of the season such matches are the ones you recall as very critical points and I am delighted we collected them.”

With regards to Maccabi’s equaliser that was ultimately given as a Guy Dezant own goal, Zahavi said: “I felt I got a touch but that is not something I am am going to argue about. If I am awarded that goal then good, otherwise I am not that bothered and will try make amends in the next game. I felt that I got a touch, it wasn’t a screamer to the top corner but they all count. The most important thing is that the team collected three points and the goal could be awarded to whoever you want.”

Maccabi arrived at Hamoshava stadium for the MD11 ONE ZERO LEAGUE match against local side Maccabi Petah Tikva with Robbie Keane’s side leading the table with 25 points from nine matches. Sunday’s 1-0 win over Hapoel Be’ersheva at Turner was Maccabi’s 6th successive league victory, 8th league victory this season, and eighth successive win in all competitions. Keane’s high flying charges are fully aware of the fact that a victory over Petah Tikva that are currently 8th in the table with 12 points from 10 matches, would restore their lead at the top to seven points.

Keane made three changes from the side that won at Turner as Idan Nachmias lined up alongside Derrick Luckassen at the heart of defense. Roy Reivo replaced Ofir Davidza at left-back while Avishai Cohen kept his place on the right to complete the back-four in front of goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

The midfield remained unchanged with Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role with Dor Peretz and Gabi Kanichowsky completing the midfield trio. Osher Davida who set up the goal against Be’ersheva replaced the injured Dan Biton on one wing while Felicio Milson was named on the opposite flank. Upfront, Eran Zahavi led the team out with the captain’s armband as the veteran striker who scored eight league goals and 20 in all competitions will aim to continue his good run of form.

On the bench Keane named, young Yehuda Belay for the first time this season, with goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Dor Turgeman, Yonatan Cohen, Sheran Yeini, Ofir Davidzada, Ido Shahar, Nir Bitton and Kiko Bondoso.

First Half

More than 3000 Maccabi fans turned up on a wet night to the Petah Tikva stadium for what was initially going to be a tough contest against Benny Lam’s side. Petah Tikva’s pressure in the opening minute on Roy Revivo led to the young left back lose possession in a dangerous position but his quick recovery prevented what would have been a disastrous start.

Two minutes later at the opposite end, Gabi Kanichowsky’s pressure on Petah Tikva’s defense saw the ball reach Eran Zahavi whose snap shot from inside the area cleared the crossbar. Moments later Idan Toklomety managed to beat Derrick Luckassen at a physical challenge before attempting a long range effort that didn’t test Orlando Mosquera as it sailed over the bar. Kanichowsky tried his luck with an effort that was caught by Petah Tikva’s keeper Robi Levkovich.

Idan Nachmias required medical treatment for a head injury in the 21st minute after the Maccabi central defender collided with Petah Tikva’s forward Saliou Guindo. Dor Peretz flashed a shot across the face of goal and wide after he was released by a clever Zahavi flick on 24 as Maccabi began to dominate.

Four minutes later the hosts had the best chance so far as a mix up between Joris van Overeem and Nachmias allowed Ibraheem Jabaar to break through but his powerful drive was equaled by Mosquera. Right on the half hour mark Petah Tikva took the lead as Maccabi’s defence failed to clear a cross which fell to Guindo who managed to beat the Panamanian keeper from close range.

Kanichowsky and Zahavi combined well on 32 but the veteran’s forward shot was directed straight at Petah Tikva’s keeper. A diagonal cross a minute later found Osher Davida unmarked at the far post, but his attempt of a shot struck the side netting.

The fourth official indicated 6 minutes of added time as the kept pinging inside the Petah Tikva area with Van Overeem, Revivo and Davida all having their efforts blocked by the hosts’ defence.

Second Half

With no changes at the restart Maccabi emerged for the second half determined to get back in the game as soon as possible as Robbie Keane’s team talk couldn’t have received a faster reaction. Thirty five seconds after the restart Milson’s trickery saw the Angolan winger dance inside the area before sending a cross that eluded everyone including Zahavi and Levkovic as the ball rolled in to level the score.

Toklomety got the best of Nachmias at the opposite end but the talented Petah Tikva youngster who had only Mosquera to beat blasted high over the bar. Milson came close with a fierce right foot drive that crept to the wring side of the post.

Four minutes after the hour mark Zahavi released Kanichowsky who managed to go round the keeper but his effort was cleared from the goalmouth by Moise Adilehou. Keane made a double substitution on 67 as Nir Bitton replaced Nachmias and Dor Turgeman came on for Davida.

Maccabi were awarded a free kick in the 74th minute as Milson was tripped on the edge of the area. Zahavi stepped up and blasted the free kick into the top corner taking his tally to nine league goals, and 21st of the season to make it 2-1.

Yonatan Cohen replaced Van Overeem immediately after Zahavi’s goal as Keane added more width to the side. Turgeman could have scored the third and settled the contest on 79 as he stripped a defender of the ball and charged forward but saw his effort blocked by Levkovic and a defender.

Milson who kept tormenting Petah Tikva’s defence, combined well with Zahavi on 84 but the veteran marksman side footed his effort wide. Inside injury time, Zahavi bowed out to a standing ovation as he was replaced by Ido Shahar pushing Turgeman to the striker’s role for the closing stages.

 

On the eve of the match away to Maccabi Petah Tikva (Sunday, 20:00) for the MD11 ONE ZERO LEAGUE, Idan Nachmias face the media and spoke about the year he experienced. The 26-year-old central defender who recovered in the summer from a long-term knee injury which sidelined him for the majority of last season, spoke about his rehabilitation process, the positive change he experienced and the deep connection he formed with the team and the club.

“I feel my rehabilitation process was excellent as the club gave me all the tools to succeed. The allowed me to do it in my own time and never pushed, a fact which led to me feeling a lot stronger today” Nachmias said. “I will always be here for the team as Robbie and the rest of the coaching staff know it.”

Nachmias, who made a second half substitute appearance at Be’ersheva, as he was introduced at right-back for the closing stages of the game, said: “Regardless of where they will play me, I will still do my best and die for the team. I am grateful for the faith they show in me, they know it and I am delighted that this is the situation.”

Nachmias, who joined Maccabi in the summer of the 2021/22 season spoke about the difficulties he experienced after arriving from Kiryat Shmon: “In hindsight I understand that in my first season here I was lacking self-confidence. Today I understand that 95% of a footballer’s career is confidence. The arrival of the coaching staff in then summer was key as they gave me confidence and were always there for me. Even when I didn’t have the best of days, they were always there for me, spoke to me and helped me. Socially, there is a stronger bond in the dressing room these days and I feel I belong here a lot more today. When you come every day with confidence then training becomes fun. I am enjoying my football once again, so when you are waiting for that chance, you understand that there is nothing else. Just like they give me confidence in training, my teammates gave me confidence to go out there and be myself. The coaching staff also gave me confidence, they pushed me, they wanted me to show who I am all the time, to be vocal, to lead. The push me to be the best I possibly can be.”

Nachmias, who in his first season at Maccabi made 38 appearances in all competitions, but last season featured in 6 matches before suffering a knee injury in December which sidelined him until the end of the campaign, added: “I had a very difficult first season as I played quite a few matches but didn’t feel I am enjoying my football. I was always under pressure as I guess I wasn’t ready for that while my settling at the club wasn’t good enough. The process I went through with the injury and the recovery, as well as the arrival of the new coaching staff this season, only helped me. I know what I need to do, what job I am asked to do. Besides the things you need to bring with you from home, there is some sort of foundations which are healthy. Socially, the team is different than previous seasons which is something extremely significant for me as I have a lot more confident to be myself and that only helps me.”

On the competition for places, Nachmias added: “At the end of the day a player wants to play. Obviously, I would always like to play but the team knows that I am here and whether I play or not I will always remain positive. I will be there for the team and just wish to capture my place in the starting line-up. Regardless, I will still do my best for the team, wish for a good atmosphere and that we would only progress and win titles. We would like to continue winning matches, just like we are doing now on a game-by-game basis.”

Maccabi continued its’ good run of form on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Hapoel Be’ersheva at Turner stadium to record the 8^th successive victory in all competitions. Maccabi has 25 points from nine matches and are unbeaten with 8 wins and a draw. Throughout history, only four teams had a perfect start to their league campaign (9 wins from nine matches): Maccabi Tel Aviv (1954, 1993/94), Maccabi Haifa (2005/06 and 2009/10).

Only five teams previously enjoyed the start Maccabi has: Hapoel Petah Tikva (1954, 1955, 1964), Hapoel Haifa (1998/99) and Maccabi Haifa (2004/05).

Robbie Keane has a 93% success rate after nine league matches – equaled the best start a coach has had in Israel’s league history. Keane shares this achievement with Hapoel Petah Tikva’s coach Slavko Milosevic (1964) and former Maccabi coach Patrcik van Leeuwen (2020/21).

In 23 matches in all competition under Robbie Keane’s guidance, Maccabi recorded 19 victories, 3 draws and a solitary defeat.

The victory at Turner was Maccabi’s fifth victory over Be’ersheva in all competitions. Losing to the same opponent five times on the bounce happened to Be’ersheva 8 times in the past with the last team to do so was Maccabi Netanya in 2013.

Be’ersheva hosted their 179^th match at Turner as Maccabi recorded their 7^th victory at that stadium. This is the highest number of victories recorded by any club since Be’ersheva moved into their new stadium in 2015.

This was Maccabi’s third victory in succession at Turner equaling Be’ersheva’s worst run of 3 defeats on the bounce against Maccabi Haifa in 2019.

Eran Zahavi continued his outstanding run of form by scoring his 8^th league goal and 21 in all competitions. No other Maccabi player has scored in 8 matches of the nine Maccabi played in the league equaling his own record from the 2014/15 season.

Only once in Israel’s history has a player scored in 9 of the 10 opening league matches – Nykita Rakuvytsya for Maccabi Haifa in the 2020/21 season. Three other players scored 8 goals in the opening 10 matches: Moshe ‘Kish’ Romano (Shimshon Tel Aviv 1970/71), Shlomi Arbeitman (Maccabi Haifa 2009/10) and Zahavi (2014/15).

Preview

Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at Turner stadium for the MD10 ONE ZERO league match against Hapoel Be’ersheva, the same venue where Robbie Keane guided his charges to an emphatic 6-1 Toto Cup win for what was his first domestic match in Israel. Since the Irish Head Coach enjoyed an almost perfect 2023 campaign which included an unbeaten record and 7 victories from 8 league matches, and a solitary defeat in 20 matches in all competitions which culminated in qualification to the Conference League Round of 16. Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya at Bloomfield, took Maccabi’s tally to 22 points from eight matches, three more than second place Bnei Reineh that played 10. Be’ersheva that suffered 4 league defeats and had won 3 matches and drawn twice, were 7th in the table 11 points from nine matches.

 

Keane made three changes from the side that beat Netanya on Sunday with Nir Bitton replacing the injured Enric Saborit as Derrick Luckassen’s partner at the heart of defense. Ofir Davidzada was named by Keane at left back allowing Roy Revivo some rest while Avishai Cohen completed the back-four that protected goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. Joris van Overeem in the anchorman role supported by Dor Peretz and Gabi Kanichowsky were Maccabi’s unchanged midfield trio. Felicio Milson who scored Maccabi’s opener against Netanya and Dan Biton who assisted that goal, were named by Keane on the wings in support of Eran Zahavi who led the team out. The 26-year-old marksman who so far this season scored 20 goals in as many matches, will aim to add to his 7 league goals and continue his run to 7 successive goals in as many outings.

First Half

The match at frantic pace with Maccabi pressing the hosts, pinging Be’ersheva in their own half making it difficult for them to even cross the halfway line. In the seventh minute Avishai Cohen’s pressure earned him the ball as he charged forward unchallenged but the right-back’s shot from the edge of the area went wide of the post. Maccabi continued to enjoy most of the possession as Joris van Overeem, Dor Peretz and Gabi Kanichowsky dominated the midfield suffocating all of Be’ersheva’s attempts to break forward.

In the 16th minute and against the run of play Be’ersheva had the ball in the back of Orlando Mosquera’s net, but the referee’s assistant raised his flag for offside and the goal was scratched off. A minute later at the opposite end Dor Peretz beat Niv Eliasi but the Maccabi midfielder was also caught offside and the score remained goalless. The action continued in tbe 20th minute as a free kick eluded Maccabi’s defense and was headed in at the far post past Mosquera but once again the flag was raised and the goal disallowed. Robbie Keane was forced to make his first change in the 24th minute as Dan Biton limped off and was replaced by Osher Davida.

In the 34th minute Felicio Milson charged down the left wing and crossed towards the far post where Davida headed straight at Eliasi. Less than 30 seconds later Zahavi tried his luck with a shot which was also directed at the keeper. In the 37th minute though Davida and Zahavi combined as Maccabi were finally translated their superiority to a goal. Cohen sent Davida down the right flank as the winger skipped past Helder Lopez and crossed into the area. Zahavi rose high and guided his header past Eliasi to score his seventh goal in as many successive outings, 8th league goal and 21st in all competitions this season. On the brink of halftime, Be’ersheva were awarded a corner after a Roy Gordana shot was blocked by van Overeem. The resulting corner saw Peretz charge for a counter attack but with only the keeper to beat sliced his shot wide of the target.

Second Half

With no changes to either side at the restart, the second half began where the first one left off as Maccabi continued to doninate. Be’ersheva introduced Eylon Almog for Alon Turgeman but within minutes the former Maccabi forward required treatment for what seemed like a knee injury which led to him limping off as part of three substitutions Elyaniv Barda made on 64.

Despite their numerical disadvantage Be’ersheva almost clawed their way back into the game but Mosquera pulled a stunning save in the 77th ninute. At the opposite end Elias was at full stretch to push Davida’s curling effort from the edge of the area, out for a corner. Keane made his second change as of the game as Milson bowed out to a standing ovation from Maccabi’s 450 travelling fans as ge was replaced in the 79th minute by Dor Turgeman. Keane made a double substitution as Idan Nachmias came on for Avishai Cohen while Yonatan Cohen replaced Davida on 88.

Peretz could have sealed the victory a minute later as he was sent clear through by Luckassen but Be’ersheva’s keeper saved with his feet to give his side a glimpse of hope. Mosquera denied Be’ersheva an equaliser as he caught a free kick that caught Maccabi’s defence flat. Inside injury time Yoni Stoyanov fouled Turgeman inside the area and was shown a second yellow with Maccabi awarded a penalty. VAR intervened and called Roi Reinshreiber to the screen, and after a lengthy look cancelled both the penalty and the red card. Beersheva tried ferociously to level tbe score but Derrick Luckassen first a d Turgeman later pulled last gasp tackles to clear the danger at the end.