Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to Bloomfield stadium for the first time since the October 7th deadly terrorist attack, as Robbie Keane’s side hosted Maccabi Netanya for the MD9 ONE ZERO League match.

With 19 points from the opening 7 matches, Maccabi, that has a two point lead over second place Hapoel Haifa, but also one more game to play due to their rescheduled match against Maccabi Haifa (January 10th) will aim to increase their lead at the top.
Boosted by the qualification to the Conference League Round of 16 on Thursday, Keane, made two changes to his line-up as Gabi Kanichowsky who picked an injury during the victory over Gent, was replaced by Dor Turgeman. Derrick Luckassen who was suspended on Thursday returned to the heart of defense at the expense of Nir Bitton and alongside Enric Saborit.

Avishai Cohen and Roy Revivo completed the back four infront of Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera. Joris van Overeem in and Dor Peretz were the two players assigned for Maccabi’s engine room while the midfield trio was completed by Dan Biton. Felicio Milson was named on one wing with Turgeman on other while Eran Zahavi led the team out wearing the captain’s armband in a bid to add to his 19 goals in all competitions he scored so far this season.

First Half

In what has been almost a trademark of this encounter between the two sides, the match began in an untidy fashion as both teams opted for pace rather than accuracy with possession changing constantly. None of the goalkeepers were troubled in the opening stages, but it was Netanya’s Raz Carmi who was forced to pick the ball out of his bet first. Dan Biton carved Netanya’s defense open as he slipped the ball to Felicio Milson who chipped it over the advancing Carmi and put Maccabi infront on 19.

Three minutes later however, the visitors were back on level terms as Itamar Shviro beat Orlando Mosquera to level the score. Netanya kept forcing their untidy game as a minute before the half hour mark, they came close to score a second. Liran Rotmam, who was booked earlier on together with Biton, sent a flick that caught Mosquera by surprise but struck the post and was cleared. Robbie Keane was forced to make his first change in the 40th minute as Enric Saborit limped off with a groin injury and was replaced by Idan Nachmias.

A well drilled corner two minutes later so Milson cut the ball back for Zahavi while attempt of a left foot dipping shot was turned by Carmi over his crossbar after the ball threatened to loop the Netanya keeper.

Second Half

Keane made a second change after the interval as Gabi Kanichowsky replaced Dor Turgeman at the restart. A minute later, Roy Revivo tackled a Netanya opponent in the box but VAR intervened and called referee Snir Levy to the screen. After spending a few minutes looking at the incident, Netanya were awarded a penalty as Eitan Eliyahu spot kick was saved by Mosquera. The Panamanian pulled another stunning save to deny Bar Cohen’s powerful left foot drive a minute later.

Dor Peretz raced clear through but with only Carmi to beat blasted his shot over the crossbar. The referee didn’t need the assistance of technology to award Maccabi a penalty after a Milson cross struck the arm of a Netanya defender. Eran Zahavi sent Carmi the wrong way to restore Maccabi’s lead and score his 20th goal of the season. Kanichowsky came close as he flashed a shot which rolled to the wrong side of the post and wide with Zahavi repeating it minutes later.

In the 81st minute Eliyahu must have thought he made ammends for his penalty miss earlier on as he chested the ball down and volleyed home past past Mosquera but the referee assistant raised his flag and the goal was scratched off for offside.

Two minutes later a slick exchange of passes on the edge of Netanya’s area left Milson with a free shot but Carmi stretched himself to push the ball out. Milson bowed out on 85 and was replaced by Ofir Davidzada before Sheran Yeini replaced Avishai Cohen inside injury time.

Zahavi could have sealed the victory late in the game as he latched onto a loose ball following a save by Carmi but somehow with the goal at his mercy managed to miss the target.

After two and a half months of war which has dominated our lives, Maccabi returns to Bloomfield stadium (20:00) to host Maccabi Netanya for MD9 of the ONE ZERO League. This will be Maccabi’s first home match since the deadly attack of October 7^th.

Ahead of the occasion, the club decided to dedicate the match to the memory of the Maccabi fans who were murdered or killed in action in the Swords of Iron war as well as the cry for the return of the hostages from Gaza.

What is expected to be a highly emotional evening will include a series of gestures:

Remembering the murdered and those who fell in action

Maccabi’s players will wear during the forthcoming match special shirts which would bear the names of the 73 Maccabi fans who were either murdered or were killed in action. At the front of the blue away shorts, the 73 names who are no longer with us, will form a shape of a Star of David.

This wouldn’t have been possible with the consent of Maccabi’s main shirt sponsor, ISRAEL CANADA, who agreed to switch the logo from the front to the back of the shirt.

Additionally, 74 seats at the lower east stand will be dressed in black shirts to commemorate each one of the Maccabi fans who died. After praying and expecting the return from captivity of Alon Shamriz who was held hostage in Gaza for 70 days, we learned on Friday of tragic death. Last Monday, during the club’s candle lighting injury, we hosted the families of hostages at Bloomfield stadium. Alon’s mother, Dikla, took part in the candle lighting ceremony as she lit orange candles which marked our prayers for their speedy release. We will honor the memory of Alon and the rest of those who were murdered and killed, with a minute of silence.

At the same time, a massive black banner will be spread on Gates 10-11 which will have the October 7^th printed in the middle while on both sides additional dates marking previous deadly terrorist attacks on the State of Israel over the past decades.

A cry for the return of the hostages

The Club doesn’t and will not forget the hostages held in captivity in Gaza and as part of the national cry for their speedy return home, 6 seats will be dressed in the VIP stand to mark the number of Maccabi fans held hostage.

The four corner flags at Bloomfield were also replaced for the match as the 4 yellow flags will carry the slogan BRING THEM HOME – as we all hope for the speedy return home.

Both Maccabi and Netanya are two clubs with a rich history as they faced each other for 151 league encounters. Maccabi won 74 drawn 40, lost 37 with a goal tally in all those matches currently stand on 246-159.  

To date, Maccabi has 1,120 league victories with Netanya being the club they beat more than other opponent – 74 times. Maccabi Haifa (72) and Maccabi Petah Tikva (68) are in second and third place.

Maccabi has an existing run of 16 unbeaten home matches against Netanya, one match short of the previous record against Netanya (17) which was recorded between 1950-1970.

Last season Maccabi also hosted Netanya on MD9 winning the match 3-0 with Djordje Jovanovic, Eran Zahavi and Enric Saborit all on target.

Fifty-six players featured for both clubs in the league over the years, as from Maccabi’s current squad Gabi Kanichowsky is the only player to have played for Netanya.

Maccabi’s leading goal scorer in league matches against Netanya is Benny Tabbak with 11 goals, while Avi Nimni and Shiye Glazer are both ranked 2^nd with 9 goals each.

Miko Bello holds the appearance record against Netanya with 34 appearances, Benny Tabbak (26), Avi Nimni (24) and Sheran Yeini (23) shares fourth place with Avi Cohen and Eli Driks.

Sunday’s match will be the first home match at Bloomfield since the October 7^th deadly attack on Israel. This will be the 20^th match in history that Maccabi will be hosting behind closed doors and the first since the 4-1 victory over Beitar Jerusalem on March 8^th 2021. (the last match under COVID restrictions).

Overall Maccabi hosted 17 matches behind closed doors during COVID (between May 2020 to March 2021) in addition to 2 matches behind closed doors as a disciplinary punishment.

Maccabi’s record in matches behind closed doors currently stands on 14 victories, 4 draws and a single defeat – a 1-2 defeat to Maccabi Petah Tikva on the opening match of the 2020/21 season.

Maccabi achieved a historic landmark on Thursday by beating KAA Gent 3-1 to reach tbe Conference League Round of 16. Eran Zahavi didn’t settle by reaching the 400 career goal mark, but added a brace and summed up the performance of the team at the end of the match in Serbia.

“We played an excellent game, were compact, moved the ball with confidence and pressed really well. I am really proud of our team today” Zahavi said. “We made history today, this is the first time Maccabi finishes top of a group stage as all the guys deserve credit from the coaching staf to the kitmen and the last club employee. We dedicate this victory to the entire Israeli nation as well as the IDF soldiers fighting for us in Gaza right now. I just hope that all the hostages return and we would like to strengthen them from here.”

On playing during wartime, Zahavi added: “The situation back home is obviously complex, we are playing far from home but know that it could give some joy to people back home. I think this is a moment of pride for the entire Israeli nation as we represent the people of Israel and feel proud to do so. To put things aside is not easy, but at the same time extremely important.”

When asked about the difficulty of playing without fans, Zahavi added: “We were dragged into this situation but who are we to complain. We are doing what we love most which is playing football and giving some pride and peace of mind to our country. Obviously we would have preferred to play at Bloomfield infront of our fans but it is not possible right now. We must do the best we can and I think we have a team with a strong healthy and positive backbone. We know how to deal with challenges like that and will try and continue this way.”