“We are currently in a positive momentum. but we are looking forward and would like to continue in this way. We are alert before every game, Kiryat Shmona are also enjoying a run of good form, but our coaching staff will prepare us as usual in the best possible way. We know they are fighting for a place in the top Playoff and expect an extremely tough match”.

On the prospect of playing in front of fans after a year-long of playing behind closed doors: “We are very excited. We waited for ages for the return of fans. We all felt their support on social media, and understand their importance – we are hoping they will all see us win. Hopefully the decision to increase the number of fans will arrive sooner rather than later, so that we would be able to see all of them”.

Maccabi Tel Aviv that captured top spot on Monday, doesn’t have too long to get excited. The challenging marathon that is the 2020/21 season returns to action on Saturday as Kiryat Shmona hosts Maccabi Tel Aviv as part of MD25 (kickoff at 19:50).

This morning (Thursday) the team continued their preparations ahead of the match against the Northerners when they held another session at the PenguinPickUp training complex at Kiryat Shalom. Patrick van Leeuwen’s charges will hold their final practice session tomorrow.

Watch the pictures from this morning’s session:

Van Leeuwen’s history and a record that hasn’t been equaled in 28 years

Maccabi recorded their 9^th successive league victory which is a rare achievement. The last time Maccabi recorded such an amazing run was the 1993/94 season (11 victories in succession).

The current run is the 6th best in Maccabi’s history, but the road to break the all-time record of 20 victories on the bounce is still long (recorded in October 1951).

In personal terms, Patrick van Leeuwen, has already reached one landmark since being appointed as Maccabi’s Head Coach. The Dutchman has a record of 12 victories and 1 draw which is the best ever start of a tenure for a coach in the history of the Israeli league.

When did we close an 8 point gap at the top?

In terms of the league table, Maccabi climbed to the top after closing an 8-point-gap from the leaders.

Only once in the history, Maccabi climbed to the top of the table after closing a bigger gap. On MD13 of the 2002/03 season, Maccabi Haifa had a9-point-lead at the top (Maccabi Tel Aviv 24 and Maccabi Haifa 33). Fifteen matches later, and in the middle of a three-horse-race that also included Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi climbed to the top of the table after MD28 and didn’t leave the summit until the end of the season on MD33.

Five different penalty scorers this season

Enric Saborit’s successful spot-kick last night, was the third goal scored against Beitar and Maccabi’s 261st penalty in the league.

The penalty scored by the Spaniard was the 5^th Maccabi player to convert a spot kick this season (Saborit, Matan Hozez, Dan Biton, Aleksandar Pesic and Yonatan Cohen 2). This equaled the record set in the 1999/00 and 2017/18 seasons of 5 Maccabi players to score penalties in one season.

Avi Rikan who scored Maccabi’s fourth goal on the night scored his 25^th league goal for Maccabi and 30 goals in all competitions.

Yeini, who set up Itay Shechter’s opening goal eclipsed Eyal Golasa who came second.

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“Even after an indifferent start to a season, or when we drop points I still think that we have an amazing team here” Yeini said. “We are a group of players that have been playing together for many years now, and know what to expect from one another. Both professionally and in terms of character, everyone knows what to expect from his teammate which is extremely important. Obviously when the coach has such “Teutonic” qualities that he makes us do things according to the way in which he wants it done. We are a team that reacts well to dominant coaches and in fact we play in the way that he wants us to play and the results prove it”.

“I waited for this goal” Shechter said, “I am working very hard in training, there was a tough period where I played much less. At a massive club like Maccabi there is a rotation, and as there are so many good players you must be ready for the moment you are required to perform. I am delighted with this victory. We must remain being humble and continue our hard work. There are moments that we must still perform much better. There is a long journey still ahead”.

Pregame

Maccabi’s coach Patrick van Leeuwen who took charge of the team in December last year following a 0-0 draw against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy stadium – is aiming to build on the impressive league run that has taken his side within touching distance of first place. For the visit of Beitar to Bloomfield stadium, Van Leeuwen, made several changes from the side that beat Hapoel Haifa on Thursday.

Luis Hernandez returned to partner Eytan Tibi as the two central defenders with Andre Gerlades and Enric Saborit both returning to the side completing the back-four on the right and left respectively. In the absence of the injured Dan Glazer and Eden Kartzev, and with Shahar Piven serving a one match touchline ban following his dismissal against Hapoel Haifa, Sheran Yeini slotted into the midfield anchor-man role.

Edurado Gurrero and Matan Hozez were named by van Leeuwen as the two wingers while Etey Shechter led the attack as the veteran striker led the line against his former club.

Prior to kick-off Dor Peretz received the League’s February Player of the Month award.

First Half

Beitar began the match on the front foot as Daniel Tenebaum was the first goalkeeper to make a save following an Idan Vered weak shot from the edge of the area in the opening minute. Two minutes later Sheran Yeini tried a long range effort that rocketed high over the bar. In the 12th minute, Tenenbaum received treatment following a rough tackle by Vered who was consequently booked.

In the 25th minute Matan Hozez cut inside from the right and unleashed a left foot drive that was blocked by a Beitar defender. Three minutes later, Maccabi were rewarded for their efforts as Etey Shechter headed in the opener past Itamar Nitzan following a pinpoint Yeini cross. But while the veteran striker opted not to celebrate against his former club, Eytan Tibi received plenty of plaudits as the central defender was the one who began the move in style.

Tibi continued pushing forward from his position at the back as his attempt of a shot on 35 was blocked by Tal Ben Haim before Or Zahavi cleared for a corner.

While Beitar’s defense struggled to deal with a series of Luis Hernandez throw-ins in the 39^th minute, the ball fell to Yeini who chested it down on the edge of the area before forcing Nitzan to another save. On the stroke of halftime Nitzan came to Beitar’s rescue once again, this time to deny a powerful Eduardo Guerrero drive after he was put through by Golasa.

Second Half

With no changes at halftime, Maccabi began the match where they left off and doubled their lead two minutes after the restart. Or Zahavi somehow avoided a second booking for a foul near the byline. Hozez stepped-up to cross the free kick which deflected off the head of Shuah to beat Nitzan and make it 2-0.

Maccabi were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute after Tal Ben Haim pounced on a Hozez cut-back but was let down by his touch before launching a last gasp late tackle to bring Peretz down inside the area. Referee Gal Leibovic pointed at the spot and Saborit, who began the move by sending Hozez clear through, kept his calm, sent Nitzan the wrong way and score Maccabi’s third goal.

Van Leeuwen made a double change on 56 as Eylon Almog and Maor Kandil replaced both Hozez and Andre Geraldes.

Maccabi toyed with Beitar and moved the ball around with ease as Golasa broke forwars on 64 only to send his shot high. Three minutes later, Shechter teed-up Golasa who flashed a shot to the wrong side of the post. This was Shechter’s final contribution on the night as he was replaced a minute later by Dan Biton while Avi Rikan came in for Peretz who worked tirelessly throughout the match.

Beitar cut the deficit in the 70th minute through Michael Ohana whose shot went in off the crossbar to beat Tenebaum from close range and make it 3-1. While Beitar tried desperately to claw their way back into the game, Maccabi took the game beyond the visitor’s reach on 76. Yeini, on a Man-of-the-Match performance, fed Rikan who tried threading the ball into the path of Guerrero. Ben Haim’s attempt of a block rebounded back to Rikan who unleashed a right foot shot that gave Nitzan no chance to seal the score at 4-1.

Van Leeuwen made his fifth and final change on 82 as Nick Blackman came in for the final 8 minutes allowing Guerrero to walk off to a standing ovation.

Leibovic’s final whistle confirmed Maccabi’s 16^th victory of the season which increased the point tally to 54 – leapfrogging Maccabi Haifa into top spot.