Following Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Hapoel Be’ersheva, Maccabi turn their attention from the league to the State Cup as they face Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the Round of 16.

Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic and striker Osama Khalaila spoke ahead of the match against the side that netted six times against Nof Hagallil at the weekend to record their sixth victory in the last seven matches. “We followed their last match” Krstajic said, “They scored plenty of goals and are currently in good form. We only have two-three days to prepare for the match but we will be ready”.

On the ‘Serbian derby’ which will see him line-up against fellow countryman Slobodan Drapjic, Krstajic added: “I have a lot of respect for him and the work he has done in Israel. He has been here for many years and I am certain it will be a good game”.

Khalaila, who scored the winning goal against Be’ersheva and will return to the ground where he scored his debut league goal for Maccabi, added: “Our heads are already focused on Tuesday. We are expecting an extremely difficult match at a very tough ground but hopefully we will complete the task and advance to the next stage”.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation together with ‘Pitchon Lev’ concluded its annual “Wrapping Up Warm” campaign that reached a climax on Saturday during the home match against Be’ersheva.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv family – fans, players and club staff joined forces and devoted their very best efforts as thousands of warm clothes items were collected for those in need in a bid to try to ensure that their cold winter can be a little warmer and more comfortable.

The hard work was clear for all to see on Saturday at Bloomfield before the kickoff against Hapoel Be’ersheva when a truck full of 650kg of items was taken to storage with our campaign partners, Pitchon Lev.

Hoodies, warm sweatshirts, as well as numerous various items ranging from jackets, scarves and shoes were all collected as the call to collect to donate completed its fourth annual campaign and over the years the Maccabi family has collected tens of thousands of items in one of many drives by the Foundation for the community.

This is the time to remind you that whoever still wishes to donate can do during the following week at the club’s official flagship store at Bloomfield stadium where a special ‘Wrapping Up Warm’ donation point would welcome you.

  

Osama Khalaila said after the match: “It was an important victory for us especially after the match we had at Haifa” The 23-year-old said. “It was important for us to arrive at this match both strong and focused in order to leave the points at home”.

On the winning goal he scored Khalaila said: “I always want to score as it is always fun to score important goals at such big games. It was my dream to join a club like Maccabi, the biggest club in Israel and I waited for such a moment. I always work hard regardless of whether I am playing or not. I waited for this chance and grabbed it with both hands”.

Khalaila, who scored his debut league goal away to Kiryat Shmona and added three more in front of gates 4-5 in the Conference League and State Cup, scored his first goal in front of Maccabi’s hardcore fans. “It was my first goal at Gate 11 as it was extremely exciting to score and celebrate in front of such a massive set of fans. It was a great feeling and I am absolutely delighted”.

Ahead of Tuesday’s State Cup tie away to Kiryat Shmona, Khalaila said: “As of tomorrow our heads will be set on Tuesday’s cup tie as we are expecting a difficult match at an extremely tough ground. But at the same time I am confident we will do the job”

Pre Game

Still licking their wounds following the disappointing dramatic defeat at Haifa, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the match against Hapoel Be’ersheva 15 points adrift of the league leaders. Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic who was missing several players through illness, injury and suspension was forced to make changes to his side against Be’ersheva who arrived at Bloomfield with an unbeaten record in 16 league matches. Eylon Almog, who limped off with an injury against Haifa and Eduardo Guerrero who was handed a two-match suspension by the IFA Disciplinary court, joined an already long list of absentees which included Luis Hernandez, Shahar Piven, Sheran Yeini and the latest addition of Eyal Golasa.

Daniel Peretz, who despite conceding three second half goals against Haifa had an overall good performance to keep his place in goal. Krstajic returned to a four-man defensive line as Matan Baltaxa and Idan Nachmias lined-up right in front of Peretz while Andre Geraldes replaced Maor Kandil and returned to the right-back position. Enric Saborit, who played against Petah Tikva and Haifa as a central defender, returned to his regular role at left-back. Dan Glazer led the team out once again wearing the captain’s armband as he teamed-up with Eden Shamir in the midfield engine room. Shamir, who scored a wonder goal against Haifa that came back-to-back with his goal away to Maccabi Petah Tikva – will seek a third goal in a row this time in front of the home fans. Gabi Kanichowsky returned to the side and completed the midfield trio with Tal Ben Chaim and Matan Hozez on both wings. Osama Khalaila who returned to the squad against Haifa after completing his one match suspension, was handed a rare start upfront as he led the line ahead of Stipe Perica. The Croatian striker as well as Brandley Kuwas, Avi Rikan, Maor Kandil, Dan Biton, Ido Shahar and Ronen Hanzis all waited for their chance to make an impact from the substitutes bench.

First Half

Prior to kickoff a minute of applauds was held in memory of Shlomo Gerbi who played for Maccabi in the late 60’s and 70’s and passed away last week.
Maccabi began the match with composure as Mladen Krstajic’s formation seemed to have surprised his Be’ersheva counterpart.

The visitors had the first shot at goal as David Petruzzi’s shot in the fourth minute was equalled by Daniel Peretz. A minute later Petruzzi almost turned provider as his square ball was volleyed wide by Sagiv Yehezkel. Maccabi’s first serious attack resulted with a Matan Hozez shot that struck the side netting in the seventh minute. Be’ersheva’s captain, Miguel Vitor, went into the referee’s book for a foul on Dan Glazer on 13 as tackles were flying all over.

Maccabi’s first shot on target came in the 28th minute as Enric Saborit blasted a powerful left foot shot that was caught by Omri Glazer. Hozez curled a left foot shot from the edge of the area that went wide on 33. Maccabi’s claims for a penalty following a tug of shirt on Matan Baltaxa in the 37th minute were waved by the referee and the VAR. On the stroke of halftime a Hozez cross reached Eden Shamir inside the area, but his attempt of an overhead kick went straight into the hands of Glazer.

Second Half

While Krstajic stuck with the same team, Roni Levy made one change as Eugene Ansah came on for Yehezkel at the restart. Baltaxa flashed a header wide of the post in the 50th minute following a corner.

Daniel Peretz kept Maccabi in the game as gr pulled a stunning save to deny Nikita Rukavytsya who broke clear through in the 58th minute. A minute later at the opposite end Saborit blasted a left foot shot that dipped before Glazer managed to catch on his line. Eden Shamir forced Glazer to fingertip save right on the hour mark to keep out the midfielders powerful drive.

Osama Khalaila carried a counter attack in the 63rd minute and sent a perfect cross into the dangerzone only for Hozez to miss it with his attempt of a diving header. Two minutes later Khalaila was rewarded for his efforts as a Kanichowsky shot deflected off his body to wrongfoot Glazer and break the deadlock.

Krstajic made a double substitution in the 70th minute as Khalaila and Ben Chaim bowed out to a standing ovation and were replaced by Stipe Perica and Dan Biton. 

Biton fired a free kick against the wall after Kanichowsky was fouled in the 75th minute before Hozez forced Glazer to push his free kick over the crossbar three minutes later. Saborit came close to double the score in the 85th minute but the Spanish left back who ghosted behind Be’ersheva’s defence, headed Biton’s pinpoint cross wide of the target. Avi Rikan replaced Hozez in the 88th minute as Krstajic made his third change and added an experienced head and a fresh pair of legs for the closing stages.

Kanichowsky was also given a standing ovation by the majority of the 21,311 fans as he came off inside injury time for Brandley Kuwas shortly before the final whistle was sounded.

Tal Ben Chaim admitted that Monday’s dramatic defeat to Maccabi Haifa was the toughest of his footballing career, but remained adamant that the team will have to bounce back against the top of the table side. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s visit of Be’ersheva to Bloomfield, Ben Chaim said: “With all the hardships and there were massive hardships here, we need to pick ourselves up. We are facing an extremely tough home match against Be’ersheva who so far had an amazing season” Ben Chaim said. “I believe that once again Be’ersheva are favourites for this game which is a scenario I never believed could happen – that other teams would be favourites against us at Bloomfield. I think this feeling alone should give us the extra motivation we need in order to turn up and win this game”.

With Maccabi ranked fourth with 25, Be’ersheva’s unbeaten run of 16 league matches places them top with 40 points a fact that Ben Chaim acknowledged: “There season so far is nothing short of monstrous, but we will be super prepared, respect our opponents like we do with every opponent and needless to say will do our maximum to win this match”.

Maccabi Tel Aviv left the Sammy Ofer stadium tonight (Monday) with a 3-2 defeat to Maccabi Haifa that completed a three-goal comeback.

At the end of the match Glazer said: “I am struggling to explain what happened, it is an extremely tough moment for me and the team. It is not a simple situation right now, but we were together in the good times and we will stick together and emerge stronger”.

When asked to explain how the team conceded a two goal lead in the second half, Glazer replied: “It wasn’t complacency or naivety, but it is hard to explain or find the reason so close to the match. There are plenty of emotions at the moment in the dressing room, but we will analyse the game and the less successful moments. Maccabi Haifa deserve credit as they played very well in the 10 minutes which led them to the victory, We will emerge stronger and together will come out of this”.

“Our facial expressions tell the story” Eden Shamir said. The midfielder who scored his debut league goal for Maccabi against Maccabi Petah Tikva and added a wonder goal against Haifa, added: “I would have loved to have stood here and talk about the goal, but on Saturday we already have an extremely tough match at home against Hapoel Be’ersheva. We will not raise our hands in defeat but will try and correct what needs to be done. I hope we learn from what happened here tonight, certainly in the final 20 minutes and come prepared for Saturday”.