Following last week’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Maccabi Netanya, Maccabi will aim to return to winning ways with a trip to Ashdod on Saturday as the 26-year-old midfielder said: “We don’t have time to sulk and sink, as we drew our conclusions from the match, analysed our performances and are looking forward to implement that on Saturday. Playing at Ashdod has never been easy, even when Ashdod is not doing that well this is a ground teams have always struggled to play at. These days they are in good form and we all remember what happened when we played them at Bloomfield earlier this season. We will respect them, prepare accordingly and focus on what we must do”.

On his recent good form, Shamir, added: “I am happy that I am being appreciated and that my hard work in training and at matches is recognised. I am always committed whether I am named in the starting line-up or called upon from the substitutes bench. Trying to give my 100% is something I will always try and do, trying to continue making progress and helping the team making progress as my contribution and help for the team is total. As long as I am called up to enter the pitch, I will give everything”.

History in Short

Eli Bitton (born January 25, 1982) went through the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department and was part of the Yellow & Blue’s success at the beginning of the Millennium celebrates 40 this week. After making his senior debut at the age of 17 in the 1998/99 season, Bitton, received the chance of a lifetime that saw him grab it with both hands and play primarily as an attacking midfielder on the right wing. His qualities on the pitch included his fast pace, quickness and ability to dribble the ball at the highest levels.

In his senior debut, Bitton scored his first goal Maccabi during the 5-0 victory over Hapoel Kfar Saba. In the same contest, Eli Drikes played his final match before retiring and also happened to be the one who assisted on young Bitton’s first goal with the First Team.

The midfielder would turn out to be one of the most important players in the Yellow & Blue line-up for years to come and won back-to-back State Cups in addition to winning the 2002/03 League Championship. In fact, he was also part of the squad that advanced to the Champions League group stages in 2004/05 playing seven years for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Over the course of that period, Bitton, was called up to the Israel National Team where he made five appearances with the Blue & White.

Before we get to one of Bitton’s greatest moments in Yellow & Blue, let’s take a look back at one of his most spectacular goals which was scored during the 2001/02 campaign against Maccabi Haifa when he put the ball right into the Green’s goal.

Honors & Awards

Championships: 2002/03

State Cups: 2000/01, 2001/02

Appearances: 203

Goals: 19

 

Top Moment

In 2003/04, Bitton played center stage in the Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv that was decided by the 4th minute. The midfielder took advantage of a Hapoel Tel Aviv defensive error just 60 seconds into the contest, stole the ball and found the back of the goal. Three minutes later, Bruno Reis put the stamp on the Derby by scoring yet again for the Yellow & Blue and giving them a lead that they would never give up.

The 24-year-old midfielder who scored a second goal in succession which wasn’t enough to secure victory over Maccabi Netanya said: “It was disappointing as we didn’t show up for the second half. It hurts because the fans turned up in numbers but we sent them home disappointed. We must continue working there is no doubt about it. Things seem to be difficult for us this season”.

Kanichowsky who scored a first half equaliser against his former club, but saw Maccabi concede early in the second half before being held to a 2-2 draw in front of 20,000 fans, added: “This is not our natural position but it seems as though this is one of those seasons where everything ends up being difficult. These things happen in Europe as well, but we will not give up as we are Maccabi Tel Aviv and we will continue and improve”.

Pre Match

Boosted by the two successive league victories over Hapoel Be’ersheva (1-0) and Hapoel Jerusalem (3-1) Maccabi arrived at Bloomfield stadium in 3rd place with 31 points from 18 matches. Unbeaten in the last six league matches, Maccabi Netanya climbed to 7th in the table, seven points behind Maccabi that still remember the 4-2 defeat when both teams met earlier this season for what was Benny Lam’s first match in charge.

Injuries and suspensions forced Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic to make changes to the starting line-up. Daniel Peretz kept his place in goal with the defence also unchanged from the side that beat Hapoel Jerusalem at Teddy stadium. Idan Nachmias and Matan Baltaxa lined-up as the two central defenders with Andre Geraldes and Ofir Davidzada completing the back-four on the right and left respectively.

Eden Shamir returned from his one-match touchline-ban as he was partnered by Gabi Kanichowsky who scored one of the late goals against Jerusalem. Dan Biton, who scored Maccabi’s opening goal at Teddy also kept his place as the diminutive midfielder was at the top of the midfield trio. Tal Ben Chaim led the team out with the captain’s armband as the veteran forward started on one wing while Eduardo Guerrero stepped-in for the suspended Matan Hozez. Osama Khalaila led the line looking to emulate the winning goal he scored during Maccabi’s last home match against Hapoel Be’ersheva at Bloomfield.

Twelve minutes before kick-off, a ceremony was held marking the 20th anniversary of Menny Levi’s tragic incident which saw the 21 year-old midfielder collapse during a league match against Beitar Jerusalem on January 26th 2002.

Former Maccabi midfielder, Eden Karzev, who joined Netanya in the summer received a framed shirt prior to kick-off – thanking him for his services to the club.

First Half

Maccabi began the match with purpose and intention a fact which saw the hosts create a threat on goal two minutes after the start. Tal Ben Chaim’s square ball reached Gabi Kanichowsky whose shot from the edge of the area forced Dani Amos to a double save. A misplaced Idan Nacmias back-pass at the opposite end a minute later released Igor Zlatanovic through before Daniel Peretz charged off his line to deny Netanya’s forward.

In the 7^th minute, Eduardo Guerrero’s claims for a penalty were waved by referee Gal Leibovic after the Panamanian was shoved in the box by a Netanya defender. The dual between Peretz and Zlatanovic continued in the 10th minute as Maccabi’s keeper stretched himself to deny a volley by the Netanya striker.

Five minutes later the deadlock was broken as Parfait Guigon tormented Andre Geraldes down the right side of Maccabi’s defence. The Ivorian, currently on loan at Netanya from Maccabi, cut the ball back for Aviv Avraham who slid his shot between Peretz and the near post to put the visitors in-front.

A Guerrero cross in the 21st minute reached Ben Chaim in the middle of the box but the 32-year-old forward who leaped high to meet the cross, couldn’t direct his header on target. 

In the 26th minute Netanya came close to double their lead as Perez pulled a stunning save to keep out Karem Jaber but from the counter attack at the opposite end Maccabi were back on level terms. Ofir Davidzada began the charge which saw Guerrero slide the ball into the path of Kanichowsky who beat Amos with a low powerful drive that found the bottom corner.

Three minutes after the half hour mark Maccabi almost completed their comeback as Kanichowsky had his initial shot blocked by Zlatan Sehovic before Ben Chaim blasted the rebound high over the crossbar.

Guigon limped off with a hamstring injury and was replaced in the 39th minute by Ihab Abu Alshech. Two minutes later Osama Khalaila teed-up Ben Chaim who sent his shot over, and within a minute repeated the feat after being put through once again, this time by Kanichowsky.

Amos dived to his right and save a Kanichowsky shot in the 44th minute, but inside injury time a mistake by the Netanya keeper gifted Guerrero a goal. The Panamanian intercepted a poor Amos pass and with the keeper outside his goal, fired  the ball home to send Maccabi with a 2-1 lead into the dressing room.

Second Half

Two minutes after the restart, Netanya were back on level terms as a corner deflected off Davidzada for an own goal that levelled that score at 2-2.

Netanya had the ball in the back of the net on 50 after Omri Gendelman rose high to send a looping header that beat Peretz but the goal was disallowed for offside. Mladen Krstajic reacted with a double change five minutes later as Dan Glazer and Brandley Kuwas replaced Biton and Khalaila. Krstajic made his third substitution in the 67^th minute as Eylon Almog replaced Ben Chaim. Avi Rikan and Eyal Golasa came in for Eden Shamir and Guerrero on 83 as Krstajic made his final two changes for the closing stages of the game.

Kuwas curled a corner in the 89th minute but Amos managed to push the ball over the crossbar to deny the Curaçao international. A minute later Kuwas sent a cross into the path of Kanichowsky whose volley was caught by Amos. The final whistle saw both teams share the points as Maccabi slid to fourth in the table and now face a tough trip to Ashdod next week.