Category: News
Maccabi beat Sakhnin 3-2
Maccabi arrived at Doha stadium for the MD8 ONE ZERO League encounter away to Bnei Sakhnin aiming to record their fourth successive league win and fifth in all competitions. Robbie Keane’s charges currently lead the table with 16 points from the opening six matches thanks to a superior (17-3) goal tally than the season’s surprise team Maccabi Bnei Reineh who are second but played two more matches.
Bnei Sakhnin are ranked six with nine points from seven matches and are enjoying a decent start to the season having won twice drawn four and lost only one match.
Keane made several changes from the side which beat Hapoel Jerusalem at Teddy last week as Roi Mishpati returned to goal in place of Orlando Mosquerra. Derrick Luckassen and Nir Bitton lined up as the two central defenders with Avishai Cohen and Roy Revivo completing the back-four on the right and left respectively. Keane’s midfield engine room of Joris van Overeem, Dor Peretz and Gabi Kanichowsky was left unchanged. Dan Biton returned to the side at the expense of Dor Turgeman who dropped to the bench while Felicio Milson was named on the opposite flank. Eran Zahavi, wearing the captain’s armband led the team out aiming to add to his 17 goals in all competitions by scoring his 400th career goal.
On the bench, alongside Mosquerra, Keane named: Enric Saborit, Dor Turgeman, Yonatan Cohen, Eyal Golasa, Ofir Davidzada, Kiko Bondoso, Osher Davida and Yvann Macon.
First Half
Maccabi began the match on the front with some slick passing which carved Sakhnin’s defence open as early as the 3rd minute. Roy Revivo picked Eran Zahavi on the edge of the before the 36-year-old’s delicate backheal flick released Gabi Kanichowsky through. The diminutive midfielder calmly slotted his shot into the bottom corner to put Maccabi infront with his second league goal and third in all competitions.
Dor Peretz could have doubled the score two minutes later as he found himself unmarked in the center of the area, but the midfielder sliced his shot wide of the target.
Maccabi continued to dominate and came close once again as Dan Biton dribbled into the area on 27 before squaring towards the goal mouth only for Peretz to once again miscue his effort wide.
In the 43rd minute Felicio Milson charged into the area and cut the ball back for Zahavi but the veteran marksman who pounced on the chance to score, blasted his shot over the crossbar.
Second Half
With no changes at halftime, Maccabi returned for the second half knowing that their stubborn opponents are capable of clawing their way back into the game. In the 55th minute Peretz came close once again after Joris van Overeem won a challenge and fed the midfielder whose powerful drive was blocked by Sakhnin’s captain Maroun Gantous for a corner. This was van Overeem’s final contribution on the night as he was replaced a minute later by Osher Davida.
Right on the hour mark Peretz finally got his goal as Kanichowsky spotted him on the edge of the area. Peretz, on his 300th appearance for Maccabi unleashed a thunderous right foot shot which was tipped by Mohamad Abu Nil onto his crossbar before striking the keeper’s back and landing inside the goal. Milson came close in the 66th minute as the Angolan winger rifled Biton’s cut-back over the crossbar.
Three minutes later Milson’s shot forced Abu Nil to stretch himself and save, while a minute later Zahavi bagged his 400th career goal with a perfect volley to increase the lead to 3-0. Biton and Zahavi bowed out before the match was restarted as Keane introduced Kiko Bondoso and Dor Turgeman.
A mistake in Maccabi’s defence on 75 allowed Ilay Elmkeis to beat Roy Mishpati for close range and cut the deficit. Keane made his final two changes in the 77th minute as Eyal Golasa and Yonatan Cohen replaced by Peretz ams Milson.
Cohen’s impact was almost instant as his pinpoint cross found Davida unmarked at the far post, but from almost point blank range the winger managed to guide the ball to the wrong side of the post. In the 82nd minute however Sakhnin scored their second through Mohamad Shaker whose low drive made it 3-2 and ensured a nervous ending to the game.
Cohen led a counter attack in the 87th minute before his attempt of a square ball to Turgeman was cleared by Sakhnin’s defence. The fourth official indicated six minutes of added time with Sakhnin desperate to grab a late equaliser.
Davida could have sealed the win in the closing minute as he broke into the area to run clear through but with only the keeper to beat had his effort saved by Abu Nil seconds before Orel Grinfeeld blew the final whistle. Maccabi will now turn their attention to Thursday’s Conference League home match against Gent in Serbia.
Davida could have sealed the win in the closing minute as he broke into the area to run clear through but with only the keeper to beat had his effort saved by Abu Nil seconds before Orel Grinfeeld blew the final whistle. Maccabi will now turn their attention to Thursday’s Conference League home match against Gent in Serbia.
Avishai Cohen: “I would like to fulfill myself at Maccabi”
Maccabi travels to Doha stadium this evening for the MD8 ONE ZERO League encounter away to Bnei Sakhnin (20:00). Avishai Cohen faced the media at the pre-match press conference where he spoke of his impressive start to the season as well as football in Israel these days.
Cohen, who made nine appearances in all competitions since joining Maccabi towards the end of the transfer window after seeing out his contract at Beitar Jerusalem, said: “I am delighted to be here as I arrived with a clear task to get into shape as quickly as possible. After experiencing quite a difficult summer I am just delighted to be here. The coach and his staff gave me a chance and I am just happy to prove what I am worth on the pitch every day.”
Sakhnin had a decent start to the season under Slobodan Drapjic and are currently sixth in the table with nine points having won 2 drawn 4 and lost only once. Darpjic played a key role in Cohen’s development as whilst at Beitar he switched his position from a winger to a more defensive role as a full-back. “When I was promoted to the senior side, I used to play as a winger and things didn’t work out that well. Drapjic changed my position to full-back, which took me some time to adapt and understand the new role. I am late bloomer but better late than ever. To join Maccabi and be called up to the national team is a dream come true for me as I really want to stay here for many years and fulfill myself.”
On the competition for places at Maccabi, Cohen added: “There are very good players in every position, so everyone is fighting for a place in the team and a place in the squad. I am delighted to be playing and proving myself as just like the coach always says ‘whoever proves himself on the pitch and takes his chances will keep on playing.”
When asked about what it feels like to be playing football under the current climate and in view of the war Israel is currently experiencing, Cohen summed up: “Ultimately as a country we should know how to rise-up and emerge stronger to be able to continue our routine. There is no doubt that the situation is extremely difficult to play after what had happened to all of us on October 7th, something we will never forget as it is a horrendous disaster to our country and the Jewish nation. Just like everyone else we also wake up each morning and hear about more of our fatalities in Gaza. Personally, my school teacher at Hatzvi high-school died in action and there are lots of friends of mine who were at the party near kibbutz Re’im. It is not simple, but we would also like to continue for them , for our entire nation – to show the world that we don’t crack and will continue our routine.”
Warming up: 5 spectacular goals against Sakhnin
The emotional visit of Gal and Tal Goldstein at Kiryat Shalom
On November 26th, Agam, Gal, Tal and their mother Chen Goldstein who were all kidnapped from their home in Kfar Aza on October 7th, were all released from captivity. The team which was then in Serbia preparing for the Conference League match against Zorya,received the news and didn’t hide their excitement. The players recorded special video messages congratulating the Goldstein family for their release, and promised Gal (9) a Maccabi fan who plays as a goalkeeper for Sha’ar Hanegev – a visit to Kiryat Shalom as well as a jersey and gloves.
Today, (Friday) Gal and Tal accompanied by their family, were Maccabi’s guests at Kiryat Shalom as they met the players, the coaching staff who all welcomed them with open arms. As promised, Maccabi’s four keepers, Orlando Mosquerra, Roi Mishpati, Daniel Tenenbaum and Or Yitzhak presented Gal the jersey and gloves. The two brothers then enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of the complex before receiving official shirts with their names printed on the back and even participated in training. After watching the entire session, Tal, who celebrates his 7th birthday tomorrow, ended the visit by joining in the birthday toast of captain Sheran Yeini (37) today.
Watch: Keane speaks ahead of Sakhnin
Van Overeem meets the residents of the South
The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation continues its support of the Gaza strip border communities as today (Thursday) Joris van Overeem accompanied by his partner and club officials, travelled to the Dead Sea.
The Dutch born midfielder met with residents who were evacuated from Sderot and Kvutzat Sa’ad to the hotels following the October 7th deadly attacks on the South of Israel. Van Overeem met the kids, had his picture taken, signed autographs and handed official club merchandise as gifts.
We will remember forever: Gal Danguri RIP
Our beloved Gal,
You were taken from us at the age of 23 as all you did was to go to a party with your closest mates.
You were a charming and loved child who grew-up to be a man amongst men; charismatic, smiling, kind and generous with a heart of gold. You used to light-up the room when you entered as your presence was impossible to be ignored. You were a man who magnetized everyone who came by you, gathered and kept your friends along the way. Boyhood friends, fellow mates from your military service, from football and work.
You had a seven-year-long relationship with the charming, Coral, as you moved in with each other at the unit you loved and cultivated so nicely. You raised the cute dog Kika that you brought together, as we all waited for your marriage proposal.
You completed your military service as a Golanchik and soldier in the 51st Battalion of the Golani brigade. You finished your big trip around the world, as we all thought that the dangers were over, and we could all relax. But then you decided to go to that damned party.
You had so many plans and we have no doubt that you would have achieve them all. You worked at Harel Insurance and as usual you magnetized everyone to you there as well. You enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in insurance as your professional path was undoubtedly in that field.
Maccabi Tel Aviv was your first and biggest love with your father Yaniv and uncle Hanan introducing you almost at berth. It was your pastime with dad, a father and son time. You both had a season ticket for Gate 13, while in your childhood you spent many a year at Gate 11 with your childhood mate Gal Shahak. We would drive you to Bloomfield Netanya and even Kiryat Shalom to prepare banners for matches, until you received your driving license and began traveling with dad or by yourself. We laughed so much when you were caught on camera amongst the fans during matches. There is no family event where the microphone wasn’t in your possession as it always came to Maccabi’s songs.
Our loved one, we honor your memory in so many ways but all we want is to have you here with us as we miss you so much. We all miss you so much.
Rest in peace in our life and soul, thank you for 23 years of love and happiness.
We will remember you forever ❤️
Watch: Maccabi prepares for Sakhnin
Three days after the 2-1 victory away to Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi stepped-up the preparations for the MD8 league match against Bnei Sakhnin at Doha on Sunday. Robbie Keane’s charges who won their last four matches in all competitions and are currently leading the league table, held a training session at Kiryat Shalom. Watch the photos from training.
Academy four help Israel U19’s qualify
Maccabi’s Academy players Yehoda Belay, Saied Abu Farchi, Ori Azo and Ido Oli played their part to help Israel U19’s qualify to the European Championship Elite round after winning Group 9 which was held in Croatia.Abu Farchi scored Israel’s winner in the 1-0 victory over Armenia, with Belay scoring in the 6-0 victory over the Faroe Islands with the final group match against the hosts Croatia ended in a 0-0 draw.Israel and Croatia both advance from the group and will be drawn into groups for the Elite round which will be played in the spring aiming to reach the final tournament in Northern Ireland (July 15th – 28th).
