The Israeli Proffessional League published today (Wednesday) the fixtures of MD31 – MD34, as the two Tel Aviv derbies were scheduled for Saturday (June 20th and June 26th).

The away match against Hapoel Haifa on MD32 will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd while the home match against Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield stadium will take place on Wednesday July 1st.

Maccabi Tel Aviv failed to leave Teddy stadium with three points last night, but in terms of their defensive record – Vladimir Ivic’s charges continue to reach new heights.

The stalemate against Beitar Jerusalem was the 24th match in 29 league matches during which Maccabi Tel Aviv managed to keep a clean sheet. By reaching this landmark Maccabi improved the Israeli record which they set earlier this season on the number of matches without conceding in one season.

Just to note, that Maccabi has so far conceded only 7 league goals, as a swift calculation suggests the Yellows concede a goal every 373 minutes. In other words: conceding a goal in just over four matches.

The question begging to be asked is how unique is Maccabi’s record compared to other defenses worldwide? The answer through monitoring the various leagues across the globe, you will struggle to find defenses with better records than the Israeli reigning champions.

In fact, from the active leagues which held more than 10 league rounds or more and were not cancelled due to the Covid19 pandemic (or from those that have yet to be restarted) Maccabi’s defensive record is the third best in the world! Maccabi conceded this season an average of 0.241 goals per game and are only behind Aruban side RCA that conceded an average of 0.091 goals, and Egyptian giants Al Ahly that conceded an average of 0.235 goals per game.

As opposed to those two clubs Maccabi played the largest number of matches (29) while RCA played only 11 (conceded once) while Al Ahly conceded 4 goals in 17 matches. Both in Egypt and Aruba the domestic leagues were stopped at the beginning of March and have yet to be restarted.

Which other teams are behind Vladimir Ivic’s players? Here is a list of the 10 defenses with the best defensive records in the world: Belarussian side Shakhtyor Soligorsk (0.250), Otoho d’Oyo of Congo (0.273), Czech outfit Slavia Prague (0.286), Waa Banjul Football of Gambia (0.286), Ashanti GB of Guinea (0.308), Tunisian side Club Africain (0.312) and Argentine giants Boca Juniors (0.348).

As part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation regular activity, the players tend to visit kids in hospital all over the country. The Covid19 pandemic introduced several restrictions part of which limits the visits of guests in hospitals as well as the strict limitations on players to who are restricted to training sessions and matches only. The morning after the victory over Haifa on Thursday, Omer Atzili and Daniel Tenenbaum decided to contact several kids from the ‘Lights of hope’ organisation via the Zoom app, in a bid to share their thoughts and feelings of not face to face then online.

The kids who are all dedicated Maccabi fans, were extremely excited to talk with the players, told them about their medical condition and prepared a few stories and questions for the players. The players for their part prepared special gifts which will be delivered to the hospital in the coming days. 

Such initiatives of the players, together with the Maccabi Tel Aviv foundation, will continue for now under the current restrictions. We will keep on working tirelessly in order to allow the foundation continue operating for people in need especially in these challenging times.

Maccabi Tel Aviv goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum kept yet another clean sheet on Monday in the goalless draw against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium and said it was a tough encounter.

“This was not an easy game at all, it was really, really difficult. We had to work hard we didn’t win but we also didn’t want to concede a goal. Our target is to win the title and this is another step towards that aim. We work hard in training and the results are evident.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv captain Sheran Yeini delivered his verdict after the disappointing goalless draw against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium on Monday and said the players did not perform to their best abilities.

“This is not a game that is typical of our play and I think the same can be said of Beitar Jerusalem. This was a placid encounter and we didn’t create many chances, Beitar had a few more. It’s a pity because we wanted to continue our momentum from the last two wins.”

“I think we prepared for a different game against Beitar We expected them to press us more and allow us more space but they stayed back. We tried to adjust our play but it wasn’t enough. We will learn from this game and we will be ready for the next fixtures.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Vladimir Ivic was clearly disappointed with the goalless draw against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium and said that although he had expected a difficult game against tough opponents, his own players did not perform to their usual high standards.

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem played out a goalless draw at Teddy Stadium on Monday in a playoff phase fixture that had its moments of nearlies but in which neither team was able to find a vital moment of inspiration.

The result leaves Maccabi with a 12-point lead over Maccabi Haifa in second place, they drew 2-2 with Hapoel Haifa on Sunday, while Beitar are in third place in the upper playoffs, 20 points off the pace. 

Beitar, looking composed early on, had a good chance when Levi Garcia beat two men in the area and shot at goal but Daniel Tenenbaum was his usual calm self and he blocked the shot that was then cleared by the defence.

In the 28th minute, Beitar came close when a Garcia curling free kick from 22 metres on the right beat Tenenbaum in the Maccabi goal, but the post came to his rescue and the score remained goalless.

Beitar captain Idan Vered had a decent try in the 40th minute when he sped into the area from the left and shot diagonally at Tenenbaum, but it wasn’t enough to spur the scoreboard operators into action.

The second half opened with a bit of a flourish as there was a chance at either end early on as first Dor Peretz had his powerful shot cleared parried by Itamar Nitzan in the Beitar goal and it was followed almost immediately at the other end with another Vered shot that was parried over the bar for a corner by Tenenbaum.

The game then petered out into a battle to avoid defeat, although towards the end Nick Blackman just failed to connect with the ball as he slid in at the far post after an excellent cross from the left by Yonatan Cohen.

The result means that Maccabi have set a new record against Beitar in not conceding a goal in five consecutive matches. It was the second consecutive goalless draw between the two outfits this season.