Preview

Boosted by Saturday’s league victory over Hapoel Be’ersheva, Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at Kiryat Shmona for the Round of 16 State Cup tie. Since taking over at Kiryat Shmona, Slobodan Drapjic’s in-form side are unbeaten in the last 7 matches of which they had won six.

Facing his fellow Serbian countryman for what was nicknamed the Serbian derby, Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic kept the same side that beat Be’ersheva at Bloomfield. Daniel Peretz remained in goal with Matan Baltxa and Idan Nachmias lining-up as the two central defenders in front of the 21-year-old shot stopper. Enric Saborit on the left and Andre Geraldes on the right completed Krstajic’s back-four. Dan Glazer and Eden Shamir were assigned to the engine room with Gabi Kanichowsky at the top of the midfield trio. Matan Hozez and Tal Ben Chaim also kept their places on the wings while Osama Khalaila who scored the winning goal against Be’ersheva, led the line at the stadium he scored his debut league goal for Maccabi.

 First Half

The match began with both teams fighting for possession in the middle of the park, but it was the hosts who took the lead in what was the first real chance of the game. Samuel Brown whipped in a cross from the right before Morgan Ferrier sent a header that proved too powerful for Daniel Peretz to handle as Kiryat Shmona took the lead after only nine minutes. Maccabi’s response was almost instant as they were back on level terms in the 13^th minute. Enric Saborit crossed into the danger zone, Matan Hozez knocked the ball down for Eden Shamir who fired home the equaliser. This was the Spaniard’s final contribution on the night as Saborit limped-off with a hamstring injury two minutes later as he was replaced by Ofir Davidzada.

Osama Khalaila came close to complete the comeback right on the half-hour-mark as he positioned himself well inside the area to bring down a Hozez cross. But the 23-year-old striker wasted the chance as he sent the ball over the crossbar.
With no further goals before the interval, Orel Grienfeld’s halftime whistle sent both teams to warm-up in the dressing rooms and prepare for the second period.

Second Half

Six minutes after the restart, Shamir, came close to score his second as he found himself at the end of a Davidzada square ball. But the former Kiryat Shmona midfielder, who charged into the area sent a flick that was goal-bound only to be denied by a Dziugas Barrkus save.

Maccabi kept pressing forward as Idan Nachmias flashed a header wide of the target following a Gabi Kanichowsky free kick in the 58th minute. Three minutes later at the opposite end, Kiryat Shmona regained their lead in controversial circumstances. Roi Kehat broke into Maccabi’s penalty area and sent a chip towards the far post where Ferrier headed the ball that was hooked out by Daniel Peretz. The linesman didn’t seem impressed by the spectacular save and indicated the ball had crossed the line as Kiryat Shmona were 2-1 up. Matan Baltaxa’s claims for a penalty after being impeded inside the area on 63 were waved by Grienfeld who awarded him a yellow card instead.

Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic reacted instantly with a triple substitution on 68 as Dan Glazer, Tal Ben Chaim and Matan Hozez bowed out and were replaced by Avi Rikan, Dan Biton and Brandley Kuwas. Stipe Perica replaced the industrious Khalaila in the 77th minute as Krstajic made his fifth change adding a fresh pair of legs in a bid to grab an equaliser.

In the 85th minute Krstajic was rewarded in spectacular fashion as Rikan and Perica exchanged passes on the edge of the area before the veteran midfielder blasted an unstoppable volley that rocketed into the top corner to make it 2-2. Grienfeld’s full time whistle meant that both teams will have to battle it out during 30 more minutes of extra time.

Extra Time

Maccabi came close on 94 as Perica was in the thick of things once again this time to release Kuwas whose attempt of a volley rolled across the face of goal. Two minutes later Kuwas and Perica swapped roles as the Curaçao winger crossed into the area before the Croat’s header was saved by Bartkus.
Maccabi began the second part of extra time with purpose and intention as Kuwas cut inside onto his left and released a shot that was caught by the Lithuanian keeper.

Kanichowsky forced another save from Barrkus on 112 as the Kiryat Shmona keeper stretched himself to save the low powerful drive. With three minutes left, Biton flashed a left foot shot that beat Bartkus but the ball crept wide of the target. In the 120th minute Kuwas sent a shot that cleared the crossbar shortly before Grienfeld blew the full time whistle and sent both teams to sudden death penalties.

Nachmias put Maccabi in front, before Nadav Nidam, on loan from maccabi to Kiryat Shmona equalised and didn’t celebrate. Daniel Peretz saved Mohamad Shaker’s spot kick to give Maccabi an advantage and Biton successfully blasted his spot kick past Bartkus. Kiryat Shmona’s veteran midfielder Adrian Rochet scored before Shamir kept his calm and found the bottom corner to give Maccabi a 3-2 lead. Itamar Shviro gave the hosts a glimpse of hope as he beat Peretz from the spot. But Perica stepped-up and sent his shot in off the post to seal the victory to the delight of Maccabi’s 1700 travelling fans.

Maccabi will discover their next State Cup opponents as the Quarter Final draw is set to take place at 14:00 on Thursday.

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”