Category: News
Donis prepares for the match against Hadera
Yeini announces international retirement
Yeini, ended a 14-year-long international career which began with a historic qualification with Israel’s U-21’s to the 2007 European finals in Holland.
Yeini’s international career was restarted in 2013 as he made his full debut for Israel against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Ramat Gan And ended seven years later in Netanya when Yeini was given the honor to wear the captain’s armband during Israel’s final UEFA Nations League group B match against Scotland.
In the 78th minute, Yeini was given a standing ovation by those present as he bowed out of the game against the country which is famous for Mel Gibson’s epic movie ‘Braveheart’.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s league match against Hapoel Hadera (Sunday 20:00), Yeini related to his retirement from international duty as well as the task both he and his teammates face at the end of the international break.
“I never expected to get so excited but it was very emotional. Bidding farewell from everyone at the national team was very exciting. My story is very interesting and one which could be inspirational especially for late bloomers. Everyone can reach something good even if he started late” Yeini said.
Ahead of Maccabi’s forthcoming fixtures, Yeini added: “I am 100% committed to Maccabi Tel Aviv. I love the fact we have a tight fixture list, this is what we are here for. Hadera is an excellent side and we must be cautious and study them to get the best possible result”.
The goals scored by Maccabi’s eSport players over the weekend
Maccabi beat Hapoel Haifa 1-0 in friendly
With nine players missing on international duty, Dan Glazer and Maor Kandil out injured and Daniel Tenenbaum rested, Maccabi’s coach Georgios Donis gave several players a chance to get precious playing minutes. Fifteen minutes from the start, Dan Biton sent a chip over the defense, Aleksandar Pesic knocked the ball down to Avi Rikan whose initial shot was saved by the advancing Ran Kadoch while his rebound was blocked for a corner.
A counter attack led by Rikan who fed Pesic on the right in the 23rd minute saw the Serb’s square ball across the face of goal cleared by a defender for a corner before Ben Chaim could tap the ball home at the far post.
Ben Musayof replaced Daniel Peretz after the 35 minute half, was tested five minutes after the restart by Keys Ghanem whose shot from the edge of the box was pushed for a corner by the young keeper.
Etey Shechter and Nick Blackman who replaced Aleksandar Pesic and Matan Hozez at the restart combined well on 45 only to see Shechter’s header from Blackman’s cross equaled by the keeper.
Rikan sent a fierce drive which threatened to beat Kadoch at the bottom corner on 51 but the keeper pulled a stunning save.
Four minutes later the deadlock was finally broken as Rotem Yatzkar picked up a ball deep inside Hapoel Haifa’s half, took a few steps forward and launched a left foot shot to deflect off a defender and beat Kadoch to put Maccabi infront.
Mike Mor, Ariel Belson, Afek Sapir Navot and Aner Ushmandi who have all been training with the first team, were all handed a chance to play for the final 7 minutes as they came in for Piven, Glazer, Rikan, Biton and Yatzkar.
Daniel Peretz (Ben Mousayof 36), Shahar Piven (Ariel Belson 63), Amit Glazer (Mike Mor 63), Luis Hernandez (Matan Baltaxa 36), Enric Saborit (Ofir Davidzada 36), Rotem Yatzkar (Aner Ushmandi 63), Avi Rikan (Afek Sapir Navot 63), Dan Biton (Nehorai Biton 63), Tal Ben Chaim (Dor Turgeman 48), Matan Hozez (Nick Blackman 36), Aleksandar Pesic (Etey Shechter 36).
Working during the international break
Time travel: Shivhon wins the 2007/8 derby
Youth Academy activity during lockdown
The Youth Academy’s coaching staff enjoyed internal meetings online with senior professionals from all across the world. As for the players, the Youth Academy set-up activities online to ensure they have daily training sessions. In addition, the players enjoyed daily lectures from the academy’s professional staff: Mental coach, Dietitian, Analysts, Media, Coaching staff as well as online meetings with first team players.
The activities set up for Youth Academy’s coaching staff included:
Sparta Rotterdam’s U-23 coach Ruben den Uil – spoke of his club’s philosophy in terms of training methodology, matches, coaching staff, analysts, scouting department as well as the connection to the senior side.
Israel Kakun, Maccabi’s first team analyst – spoke about the philosophy of his work.
Danny Cowley, former manager of Championship side Huddersfield Town, spoke about his work and game philosophy.
The Business Operations Manager at Base Soccer Agency, Doron Salomon, spoke of his connections with players across the world both male and female, about his firm’s scouting methods, treating young players and dealing with their parents.
Dion van Meerten, who previously was a coach at Den Haag and lectures at Cairo American College (Sports Academy) – shared his training philosophy, creativity as a coach as well as the importance of a player’s age in terms of scouting.
Excelsior U-21 Manager, Marinus Barendregt, spoke about his club’s philosophy and the way in which they play.
Maccabi’s former Sports Director and Head Coach, Jordi Cruyff, who currently coaches Chinese outfit Shenzen, spoke of his time as a player at the Youth Academies of Ajax and Barcelona, his time playing for Barcelona B’, his move to the first team and his time in management.
Ioannis Sfairopoulos, Head coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, shared his views in managing a team and spoke of topics such as: crisis management in various situations, dealing with top class players, developing young players etc.
Former USA and Egypt national team coach, Bob Bradley, who is currently head coach of MLS side Los Angeles FC shared his philosophy, the way in which players are developed in the US academy. Bradley also shared his experience as the US national team coach during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Two guests from Spain: Former Athletic Bilbao player, Javi González, who is currently assistant coach at the club’s 3rd team together with the Chief of Methodology at the club, Andoni Bombín. The duo focused on the uniqueness of the Basque club, its’ character, the training philosophy and the reasons behind their success in the Youth 
Department and the way in which they develop players to the first team.
Douglas Wright, Crystal Palace Youth Academy Head of Analysts – spoke of the way in which they work at the club.
Excelsior U-12’s coach, Serge Bonte, who is also the professional manager of the U-10’s and U-12’s at the club – the training methods of young players in technical and physical terms.
The players of Maccabi’s Youth Academy enjoyed special online meetings with members of the academy’s coaching staff. Coaches, fitness coaches, dietitian, mental coach, medical staff, media etc. In addition the young players enjoyed meetings with players from the senior side who told them about their journey in the football. The players who participated in these meetings: Dor Peretz, Dan Glazer, Yonatan Cohen, Avi Rikan, Maor Kandil, Sheran Yeini, Eylon Almog, Daniel Tenenbaum, Daniel Peretz, Etey Shechter, Ofir Davidzada, Eytan Tibi, Dor Turgeman and Ronen Hanzis (who has since been loaned out to Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam), Eduardo Guerrero and Amir Berkovic (who has also been loaned out to Beitar Tel Aviv Bat Yam).
Maccabi set a new club record in Sachnin
Shortly before the two-week international break, Maccabi Tel Aviv returned from Sachnin last night (Sunday) with three points. The champions beat Sachnin 2-1 and recorded the first league victory of the season, which included a few interesting statistics from a new club record to impressive statistics about our defenders.
A new club record
Statistics enthusiasts will be happy to hear that the victory at Sachnin set a new club record. This was Maccabi’s 12th victory in succession over Sachnin in a season’s first league round of matches – more than any other opponent.
Maccabi are one victory short of equaling the league record which stands on 13 successive league victories over the same opponent in the first round held by Maccabi Haifa over Bnei Yehuda between 1988-2011.
The victory increased Maccabi’s tally to 30 wins from 43 league encounters against Sachnin. By that Maccabi improved their success rate against Sachnin to 76.7% – the highest rate against any opponent Maccabi met 40 times or more in the league.
Aleksandar Pesic enjoyed a successful night in particular. The 28-year-old Serbian striker who made three substitute appearances against Sivasspor and Villrreal in the Europa League and Maccabi Haifa in the league, was handed his debut start. Pesic scored his debut goal for Maccabi as he lifted the ball over Sachnin’s keeper Rami Hamada for Maccabi’s second on the night.
In defense Maccabi showed impressive statistics and dominance as captain Sheran Yeini led the line by winning 12 of 15 duals.
Luis Hernandez led the team in the number of successful challenges (14) with Yeini (11) shortly behind him.
As for successful defensive tackles many players enjoyed a good game as Dan Glazer (4 from 4), Dor Peretz (3 from 3), Yeini (3 from 3), Saborit (3 from 4) and Kandil (1 from 1).
Kandil also led the team in the dribbling category with 4 successful dribbles from 5 attempts.
