Goals from Djordje Jovanovic (6), Enric Saborit (68) and Stipe Perica (86) earned Vladmir Ivic’s side a 3-0 victory over Croatian outfit Lokomotiv Zagreb in the third  and final practice match of pre-season.

After two defeats to Aalmannia Aachen (1-0) and Westerlo (2-1), Maccabi began the match on the front foot and came close to score in the opening minute. Brandley Kuwas won possession in the middle of the park and released Parfait Guiagon who flashed a shot across the face of goal.

Five minutes later Maccabi took the lead as Kuwas and Dan Biton combined to break into the area, before the diminutive midfielder  shot struck the base of the post. Djordje Jovanovic reacted first to the rebound and with a cheeky back-heal flick beat Zagreb’s keeper Mykyta Turbaievski to put Maccabi in front.

Biton continued to look lively as in the 12^th minute he blasted a shot from outside the area which sailed over the crossbar. Djordjevic came close to double the score as Biton carved Zagreb’s defence open with a pinpoint pass only for the Serbian striker to be denied by the keeper. Ibrahim Aliyu shot wide from the edge of the area in the 19^th minute as Zagreb reached a chance of their own before a last gasp Sheran Yeini tackle on 28 kept Maccabi’s lead intact. In the 45^th minute Daniel Peretz was drawn into the action as he stretched himself to keep out a Sandro Kulenovic’s header. On the stroke of halftime, Kuwas tried his luck from the edge of the area but the Curacao international’s powerful drive missed the target.

Vladimir Ivic made four changes in the 55^th minute as Biton, Eyal Golasa, Guiagon and Jovanovic made way for Gabi Kanichowsky, Avi Rikan, Eduardo Guerrero and Stipe Perica.

Four minutes later Peretz pulled a stunning save to deny Art Smakaj whose powerful effort from inside the area was equalled by Maccabi’s custodian. Two minutes after the hour mark, Kuwas came close once again but Zagreb’s keeper, Krunoslav Hendija kept the Croat’s in the game.

In the 68^th minute however, Hendija managed only to deny Idan Nachmias’ header following a Kanichowsky corner, but as the central defender flicked the rebound back into the danger zone, Guerrero headed to Enric Saborit who slotted in the second goal.

The Panamanian forward played a central role in Maccabi’s third goal on 86 as he twisted and turned before crossing to Perica whose close range header sealed the win.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Daniel Peretz, Andre Geraldes (Maor Kandil 73), Idan Nachmias, Sheran Yeini, Enric Saborit (Ofir Davidzada 73), Joris van Overeem (Nadav Niddam 73), Dan Biton (Gabi Kanichowsky 55), Eyal Golasa (Avi Rikan 55), Brandley Kuwas (Eylon Almog 73), Parfait Guiagon (Eduardo Guerrero 55), Djordje Jovanovic (Stipe Perica 55).

Lokomotiva Zagreb: Mykyta Turbaievski (Krunoslav Hendija 46), Marko Vranjkovic, Nikola Soldo, Vladan Bubanja, Ivan Milicevic, Mateo Maric, Art Smakaj, Lukas Kacavenda, Ibrahim Aliyu, Luka Stojkovic, Sandro Kulenovic.

Substitutes:, Krsevan Santini, Albion Marku, Hajdin Salihu, Marin Soticek, Indrit Tuci, Justin de Haas, Sherif Kallaku, Silvio Gorcian, Raul Florucz, Fabijan Krivak, Luka Islic, Jakov Vasilj.

Referee: Sander Huijs (NED).

Matan Hozez today signed a new 3-year-deal which will keep him at the club he grew up until the end of the 2024/25 season.

Hozez, who scored last season 6 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, has a total tally of 10 goals in 88 appearances, told the club’s official website: “I am delighted and excited to remain at home, looking forward to rejoin the team, work hard and do everything to reach our goals this season”.

Maccabi’s Head of Football Department, Barak Itzhaki, added: “As a player who completed the journey at Maccabi all the way from the small age groups to the Senior side, Matan Hozez has demonstrated alongside his ability – determination, diligence and persistence. We are delighted to keep Matan at the club for the coming years and wish him good luck”.

In July 2016 Hozez made his senior debut at a Toto Cup match against Maccabi Petah Tikva. After loan spells with Hapoel Ashkelon, Bnei Yehuda and Hapoel Haifa, Hozez was part of Maccabi’s championship (2019/20) and State Cup (2020/21) victories.

Maccabi suffered their second defeat of pre-season going down 2-1 to Belgian outfit KVC Westerlo at the Het Kuipje stadium on Saturday.

Vladimir Ivic made several changes from the match against Aachen, but Thomas Van den Keybus gave Westerlo the lead on 34 as his powerful drive found the top corner of Daniel Peretz’s goal. Parfait Guiagon, Stipe Perica and Eylon Almog all had shot blocked by Westerlo’s defence as Maccabi were trailing 1-0 at the interval.

Ivic made four changes at the restart as Djordke Jovanovic and then Eduardo Guerrero both missed chances to level the score but were stopped by Westerlo’s keeper Koen Van Langendonck.

Daniel Tenenbaum replaced Peretz in goal right on the hour mark, and four minutes later he was also forced to pick the ball out of the net as Kyan Vaesen doubled Westerlo’s lead.

Brandley Kuwas and Gabi Kanichowsky both looked lively as Maccabi appeared more dangerous in the second half before being rewarded for their efforts as referee Wim Amet awarded a penalty on 83.

Jovanovic stepped up and successfully converted the spot which proved as a consolation goal only.

Maccabi: Daniel Peretz (Daniel Tenenbaum 60), Andre Geraldes (Maor Kandil 60), Enric Saborit (Sheran Yeini 46), Idan Nachmias (Avi Rikan 68), Guy Mizrahi, Eyal Golasa (Nadav Niddam 60), Joris van Overeem (Tamir Glazer 68), Dan Biton (Gabi Kanichowsky 46), Parfait Guiagon (Eduardo Guerrero 60), Eylon Almog (Brandley Kuwas 46), Stipe Perica (Djordje Jovanovic 46).

Tal Ben Chaim has ended six successful seasons at Maccabi Tel Aviv of two tenures between 2013-2017 and 2020-2022 during which  he won 6 titles: 2 League Championships (13/14 and 14/15), 2 State Cups (14/15 and 20/21), 1 Toto Cup (14/15) and 1 Super Cup (20/21).

Whilst wearing Maccabi’s Yellow and Blue colours, the 33-year-old winger scored a total of 56 goals in 255 appearances of which 55 in European competitions and is ranked in 4^th place amongst players who represented Maccabi in Europe.

Ben Chaim, who was part of the team which played in the Champions League group stages (15/16) also played with Maccabi in the Europa League group stages (13/14 and 20/21) and the Conference League (21/22) as well as advancing to the round of 32 twice.

Thank you Tal and good luck!

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement with Beitar Jerusalem on the loan of Bar Cohen until the end of the 2022/23 season. The 21-year-old midfielder scored 1 goal in 28 appearances in all competitions last season during a loan spell with Hapoel Nof Hagalil.