Maccabi reached the State Cup Round of 16 on 75 occasions until this season – 60 of which after the State of Israel was established. On 54 attempts Maccabi managed to advance through and reach the Quarter Final stage of the competition.

Our Round of 16 opponents, Bnei Sakhnin, previously met Maccabi four times in the State Cup. Three of these Cup ties were a one-off knockout match while another as a double headed tie in the Quarter Finals of 2019.

The overall tally between Maccabi and Sakhnin in the Cup currently stands on 2-2. The highest stage of the competition both sides met was in the Semi Final of the 2015/16 season which Maccabi won 3-2 at Sammy Ofer. Barak Itzhaki, Eran Zahavi and Tal Ben Chaim were on the scoresheet that night which booked Maccabi’s passage to the final under Peter Bosz.    

Maccabi’s highest victory in the Round of 16 was a 10-0 victory over Maccabi Bar-Kochba Jerusalem in the 1936/37 campaign.

After the State of Israel was established Maccabi’s highest victory was recorded twice a 6-0 wins over Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv (1954/55) and Sektzia Ness Ziona (1959/60).

Only two Maccabi players scored hat tricks in the State Cup Round of 16 – both in ‘Mini’ Tel Aviv derbies. Shimon Yisraeli in the 6-0 victory over Bnei Yehuda (1955) and Eliezer Vilensky in the 4-1 victory over Shimshon Tel Aviv (1962).

Shiye Glazer is Maccabi’s top scorer in the Round of 16 with 7 goals to his name.

Maccabi were dragged into a penalty shoot-out 6 times in this stage of the competition. Four times Maccabi advanced through: Maccabi Ramat Amidar (1974), Ironi Kiryat Shmona (1976, 2022) and Hapoel Ra’anana 2017. Maccabi ended up being eliminated twice after losing the penalty shoot out to Maccabi Petah Tikva (1978) and Beitar Jerusalem (2010).

Tuesday’s Cup tie against Sakhnin will be the first time since 2015 that Maccabi hosts the Round of 16 at Bloomfield when a Barak Itzhaki goal beat Hapoel Ashkelon 1-0. In five of six Round of 16 matches since were played away from home, while Netanya hosted a 4-0 victory over Hapoel Acre in 2019.

Maccabi’s State Cup campaign will continue tomorrow as they host Bnei Sakhnin in the Round of 16 at Bloomfield stadium. On the eve of the match (Monday) Eran Zahavi spoke about the task both he and his teammates are facing.

Two days after being held to a 1-1 draw away to Kiryat Shmona, Eran Zahavi didn’t hide his disappointment from the two dropped points as he reflected on the swift switch between the league and the Cup. “I think we played really well at Kiryat Shmona and created loads of chances so the disappointment from the result is obvious. The Cup is something totally different as matches could evolve this way or the other but we must remain focused in order to advance through. The most important thing in Cup matches is to qualify because no one remembers how you did it. Just like every season at Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Cup is one of our targets as we always challenge for all titles which makes tomorrow’s match a very important one”.

On the fact Maccabi will host the first tie at this stage of the competition since 2015, Zahavi added: “Sakhnin are a very tough side and we respect every opponent that face us. However, we will be playing at Bloomfield in front of our fans so we should secure our place in the next round. Obviously it will be easy and we will have to work very hard to do so which is exactly what we are planning on doing”.

January 3^rd Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Bnei Sakhnin (Bloomfield, 20:00)

Maccabi Tel Aviv will kick-off 2023 as they host Bnei Sakhnin for a Round of 16 State Cup tie at Bloomfield stadium. Maor Kandil’s late winner at Doha awarded Maccabi a 1-0 victory when both teams met in the league earlier this season.

On the same date (3.1) the January transfer window will also open and remain open until February 1^st. Wish to remain updated with whatever is happening ? Download/Update the Official App free of charge, open the notifications and continue following us on our social media platforms and the club’s official website.

January 7^th Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Ashdod SC (Bloomfield, 17:30)

Maccabi’s first ONE ZERO League fixture of 2023 set-up a match against Ashdod SC at the family-friendly kick-off time of 17:30. Following the 1-1 draw away to Kiryat Shmona, Maccabi will aim to return to winning ways on MD17 against the side which held the, to a 0-0 draw earlier this season.

January 16^th Beitar Jerusalem vs Maccabi Tel Aviv (Teddy stadium, 20:30)

Maccabi faces another tough challenge on MD18 with a trip to the capital for a match against in-form Beitar Jerusalem. Earlier this season Maccabi beat Beitar 4-0 in a one side affair at Bloomfield but the Jerusalem side has recently enjoyed a purple patch winning three of their last four league matches and scoring 13 goals in the process.

January 23^rd Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Maccabi Haifa (Bloomfield, 20:30).

Maccabi hosts bitter rivals Maccabi Haifa for another featured match at Bloomfield on MD19 in what is regarded as the Israeli Classico. Maccabi will aim to avenge the 2-0 defeat they suffered at Sammy Ofer stadium earlier this season.  

January 28^th (Final date and kick-off time TBA) Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The second Tel Aviv derby of the season will be staged at Bloomfield stadium as Maccabi will be the guests this time on MD20. Three points, local bragging rights will be at stake once again as the previous derby ended with a 3-0 victory.

30% discount on the entire winter collection!

While the Israeli winter is well underway expect a massive 30% discount on the entire Winter Collection for Men, Women, kids and infants during January at the online and official club stores. Are Still here?

100 goals

Maccabi played 52 official matches in 2022 winning 31 drawing 12 and losing 9 with a 100 goals scored and 32 conceded. This is a repeat of the previous year as Maccabi scored a 100 goals in 2021 but managed that in 10 matches more (62).

The last time Maccabi scored more than 100 goals in one calendar year was in 2016 a feat they managed only 8 times in the clubs’ history.

Maccabi’s goal difference (+62) is the eighth best in the club’s history and the best since the 2000/01 season (117-35).

Who did we beat most?

Maccabi recorded the most victories over Hapoel Tel Aviv (4) with a total goal tally of 13 goals scored and 2 conceded.

This is the fourth time Maccabi managed to beat Hapoel Tel Aviv four times or more in one calendar year having done so in 1992, 2013 and 2020.

Maccabi’s highest victory in 2022 was a 6-0 thrashing of Hapoel Hadera on MD2 (29.8.22). This was also Maccabi’s highest victory recorded away home since the 2000/01 season.

Top goals-corers and assists

Forty different players represented Maccabi in all competitions during 2022.

Gabi Kanichowsky and Daniel Peretz made the most appearances with 48 matches each.

Of all Maccabi’s players, Peretz, played most minutes in 2022 as the 22-year-old keeper clocked 4,380 minutes. Enric Saborit who made 45 appearances last year, is second on the list clocking 3,893 minutes.

Twenty one different players scored goals for Maccabi in 2022 with Djordje Jovanovic topping that chart with 24 goals to his name.

Twenty one different Maccabi players also dished out assists in 2022 with Gabi Kanichowsky leading the cahrt with 8 assists in all competitions.

The fastest and late goals scored

Maccabi’s earliest goal last year was also the first goal scored in 2022 – a Dolev Haziza own goal after 48 seconds on January 3^rd in the 3-2 defeat to Maccabi Haifa.

The latest goal scored in 2022 was Djordje Jovanovic’s 98^th minute winner against Hapoel Haifa in November, as overall Maccabi scored 11 goals after the 90^th minute.

  

 

Preview

Maccabi Tel Aviv travelled up north for the MD16 ONE ZERO league encounter against Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, when they are placed second in the table with 35 points, ahead of Hapoel Be’ersheva on goal difference and four adrift of leaders Maccabi Haifa. A victory away to Kiryat Shmona could see Maccabi edge closer to the summit even temporarily as Haifa host Be’ersheva 24 hours later.

Last week’s 5-0 win over Hapoel Hadera at Bloomfield was Maccabi’s fourth league victory in succession and 11th of the season. In fact, the last time Maccabi dropped points and conceded a goal was before the World Cup break in November drawing 1-1 against Sektzia Ness Ziona who were then coached by Nir Berkovic. In his first match in charge last week, Berkovic, guided Kiryat Shmona to a dramatic draw away to Hapoel Jerusalem but the point gained wasn’t enough to lift the Northerners’ off the foot of the table.

Vladimir Ivic made four changes from the side which beat Hapoel Hadera some of which due to suspensions and injuries. With Shahar Piven and Enric Saborit both serving a one-match touchline ban for a red card and five bookings respectively, Ivic was forced to replace two of his three central defenders. Veteran skipper Sheran Yeini who scored a rare goal and Maccabi’s fifth against Hadera, returned to the starting line-up and led the team out with the captain’s armband. With Yeini replacing Saborit to the left of Derrick Luckassen, Nir Bitton slotted-in on the Dutchman’s right as the trio lined-up in front of goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. Maor Kandil who set-up two goals against Hadera, was named as the right wing-back while Yonatan Cohen returned to the starting line-up on the opposite left flank.

After making a substitute appearance last week, Gabi Kanichowsky, partnered Dor Peretz in Maccabi’s midfield engine room. Following his man-of-the-match performance at left wing-back last week, Parfait Guiagon returned to a more familiar role at the top of the midfield trio at the expense of Oscar Gloukh. Upfront, Eran Zahavi and Djordje Jovanovic who scored 7 and 8 league goals respectively – will aim to continue their successful partnership which saw the team score 37 goals so far this season.

On the bench, alongside goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Ivic named Dan Glazer, Oscar Gloukh, Joris van Overeem, Eyal Golasa, Ofir Davidzada, Andre Geraldes, Dor Turgeman and Matan Hozez.

First Half

Maccabi began the match on the front foot as Vladimir Ivic’s side could have scored twice in the opening two minutes. A Maccabi attack which began with Sheran Yeini down the left flank ended up with a Djordje Jovanovic forcing Dziugas Bartkus to a reflex finger-tip save pushing the Serbian forward’s effort over the crossbar. Kiryat Shmona struggled to clear the resulting corner before Eran Zahavi’s square ball across the face of goal reached Yonatan Cohen who somehow managed to send his shot crashing against the base of the post from almost point blank range. Maccabi continued their blitz in the sixth minute as Kanichowsky had his initial shot blocked before Cohen miscued the rebound wide of the target. Before ten minutes had passed, Maccabi came centimetres away from breaking the deadlock as Kanichowsky curled a right foot shot which narrowly missed Bartkus’ top corner.

At the opposite end, a last gasp Kandil tackle in the 12th minute, denied Kiryat Shmona from taking the lead against the run of play as Maccabi’s full back denied Itamar Shviro from getting on the end of a Joseph Mbong cross. Parfait Guiagon who started this match at the top of the midfield trio, exchanged passes in the 14th minute with Kanichowsky but the Ivorian’s shot from the edge of the area sailed high and wide.

The action continued at both ends of the pitch as a Timothy Muzie counter attack exposed Maccabi’s defence before Dor Peretz was forced to launch himself and deflect Mbong’s shot for a corner.

Bartkus came to Kiryat Shmona’s rescue right on the half hour mark after the Lithuanian keeper stretched himself to push Jovanovic’s fierce drive following a Kandil cut back.

In the 38th minute Jovanovic seemed to have managed to force his way through the middle of the hosts defence, but a Kiryat Shmona defender tugged his shirt a fact which took the sting out of the Maccabi striker’s shot. Two minutes later Kiryat Shmona took the lead as Shaker picked the ball up just inside Maccabi’s area, dribbled towards the centre of the box before unleashing a powerful left foot strike which gave Daniel Peretz no chance.

Maccabi’s claims for a penalty after Samuel Broun went down for a sliding tackle and appeared to have handled the ball in the process – were waved by referee Idan Leiba as even VAR didn’t intervene. Guiagon missed the target with right foot shot from the edge of the area on the stroke of halftime. Seconds later the Ivorian sent a dangerous square ball which Zahavi couldn’t reach and Bartkus collected on his line as Leiba’s halftime whistle sent both teams to regroup in the dressing rooms.

Second Half

The second half began where the first one left off as Maccabi applied most of the pressure while Kiryat Shmona looked dangerous from counter attacks. Dor Peretz became the first player to be booked by Leiba for a foul on Muzie in the 48th minute.  Zahavi’s claims for a penalty on 53 after he appeared to have been nudged down by Noam Cohen were also waved by Leiba and at the opposite end Kiryat Shmona almost doubled their lead as Mbong curled a shot which narrowly missed Peretz’s goal.

Three minutes later however Maccabi were back on level terms through Jovanovic who scored Maccabi’s equaliser at the end of well-worked team effort. Kanichowsky floated a perfect diagonal ball towards the far post where Kandil ghosted unmarked and with one touch set up Jovanovic who blasted in the equalizer to the roof of the net.

Ivic reacted almost instantly as he made a double substitution with Cohen and Guiagon bowing out and being replaced by Matan Hozez and Oscar Gloukh.

The 3200 Maccabi travelling fans were on their feet in the 69th minute as they thought that Jovanovic converted his second following a Kanichowsky cross. But out of nowhere Noam Cohen slid-in to hook the ball from the goalmouth and out for a corner. Zahavi was left unmarked by Kiryat Shmona’s defence to head the resulting corner but the veteran marksman sent his header to the wrong side of the post.

In the 83rd minute Bartkus pulled a double save to keep out a Kanichowsky shot, and before Jovanovic pounced on the rebound, the Lithuanian custodian managed to kick the ball out. Ivic made his third substitution as the tired Kandil was replaced by Ofir Davidzada .

The longer the clock kept ticking Maccabi continued to push forward as Gloukh danced his way into the area passed no less than four Kiryat Shmona defenders on 87. But Zahavi wasted the chance as he sent Gloukh’s cut-back over the bar.   

Bartkus kept Kiryat Shmona in the game once again as he managed to parry out Gloukh’s fierce drive in the 90th minute before a defender prevented Jovanovic from tucking in the rebound. The fourth official indicated seven minutes of added time as Maccabi kept pushing forward. In a last throw of the dice Ivic introduced young Dor Turgeman for Zahavi hoping the 18-year-old striker could score the winner. Maccabi threw everything forward but time after time Bartkus and Kiryat Shmona’s defence managed to hang on.

Deep inside injury time, Yeini headed a Hozez corner and as the ball shaved the top of the crossbar it was clearly proved that it wasn’t going to be Maccabi’s night. The point gained took Maccabi’s point tally to 36 and ended 2022 with a long trip back to Tel Aviv knowing it was rather two points dropped.

 

 

The 2022 Johnnie Walker sponsored Golden Moment project reached the final stage. After thousands of voters had their say and 10 candidates competed for top spot, you chose Avi Rikan’s wonder goal away to Kiryat Shmona in the State Cup round of 16 as the goal of the year.

Watch the top 10 goals of 2022:

While Rikan captured top spot and had another goal in the top 10, the time has come to reveal that the battle this year was tighter than ever and only a handful of voters separated between first and second place. Djordje Jovanovic’s injury time winner of the Tel Aviv derby came second in the ranking as the Serbian forward had two more goals in the top 10.

Oscar Gloukh’s left foot wonder strike in the Tel Aviv derby led the 18 year-old into third place.

The 2022 top 10 full ranking:

10. Dor Peretz vs Hapoel Hadera

9. Djordje Jovanovic vs Beitar Jerusalem

8. Gabi Kanichowsky vs Hapoel Tel Aviv

7. Eran Zahavi vs ARIS Thessaloniki

6. Enric Saborit vs Maccabi Netanya

5. Djordje Jovanovic vs Hapoel Haifa

4. Avi Rikan vs Hapoel Tel Aviv

3. Oscar Gloukh vs Hapoel Tel Aviv

2. Djordje Jovanovic vs Hapoel Tel Aviv

1. Avi Rikan vs Hapoel Kiryat Shmona