Maccabi Tel Aviv will play their third TASE Premier League match in the playoff phase on Monday, and after two victories at home, they will play in Jerusalem against Beitar in the 29th round of action. Maccabi have a 12-point lead at the top of the standings and eight matches remain. All Maccabi’s rivals have continued to falter in their effort to keep up with the pacesetters but coach Vladimir Ivic is not taking matters lightly and is preparing his players for a tough encounter.

Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Matan Hozez is in red hot form as he and his teammates prepare to take on Beitar Jerusalem in the third TASE Premier League match in the playoff phase at Teddy Stadium on Monday (kickoff 20:45).

“I had a positive outlook during the lockdown and I looked after myself. I knew we would be back in action, although I didn’t know when,” he said.

“I am pleased that I have been able to show my worth and I told my family that even though I couldn’t be sure that I would play, I will be with Maccabi all the way to the end. I believe in myself and the hard work has paid off, it is very satisfying when you succeed, but I want to show more and continue to shine.”

“Beitar will be tough and I’m sure it will be an interesting game, but we want the three points and we are looking only to win.

Maccabi Tel Aviv did not let the big occasion get to them on Wednesday and they took a major step towards retaining the league title following their 2-0 win over Maccabi Haifa, their nearest challengers, who are now 12 points behind with eight matches left.

With the dust settling a day after the match of the season at Bloomfield, we can scrutinise the numbers.

The 12-point lead over second place after 28 matches is the sixth highest lead any club has had at the top. The record is also Maccabi’s and it was set last season, when they had a whopping 27-point lead at this stage.

Tight defence

Vladimir Ivic’s men shut down their goal and set an all-time record of 23 clean sheets out of 28 matches, an astounding achievement. The previous best mark after 28 rounds of play, is shared by Maccabi in 1978-79 and Kiryat Shmona in 2011-12, when there were 18 clean sheets.

The dominance over Haifa

Maccabi already have a streak against Haifa of six home wins without conceding a goal and on three occasions has that record been bettered: Seven home wins against Hapoel Haifa, in 1958, Hapoel Tel Aviv in 1994 and Rishon Letzion in 1996.

This is the sixth season in which Maccabi have beaten Maccabi Haifa, and in four, out of those, all three first matches ended in wins. It also happened in 2013-14, 2014-15 and last season. In three of these seasons the first three matches were all won and the fourth was a draw, but there has never yet been a season in which Maccabi have won all four encounters against Haifa.

The 12 unbeaten games, including nine wins and three draws, is two short of the record streak of 14, achieved in 2015-16.

Individual marks

Matan Hozez is the third Maccabi player to have scored in both opening playoff phase matches since the format was set in 2012-13. He has emulated Aron Schoenfeld and Eran Zahavi, who achieved the feat in 2014-15.

Sheran Yeini, who played in a central defensive role yet again on Wednesday, has become the player with most appearances against Maccabi Haifa, with 34.

Glazer’s night

Much has already been said about the excellent performance of midfielder Dan Glazer and he was chosen by the fans as the Factory 54 Man of the Match. His performance is certainly backed up by the numbers. He won the ball in all 12 tussles with opponents on the playing surface and in the air, he won three of four clashes. He won all five tackles he committed himself to and he dispossessed opponents no fewer than seven times.

Glazer’s teammates also had a good night, as Enric Saborit dispossessed opponents 11 times while Yeini, Andre Geraldes had eight and Jair added six.

Eyal Golasa’s excellent season continued on Wednesday as he scored the first goal in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 2-0 win over Maccabi Haifa at Bloomfield. He was upbeat after the win, and despite the 12-point lead at the top of the standings he said it was still too soon to celebrate another title.

“We really wanted to make the fans happy, we aren’t looking at the gap at the top of the standings. Admittedly, we have taken a significant step towards the title, we have returned well from the break and we need to maintain our form and when the time comes, we will celebrate.”

Golasa said it was still too early to confirm his position at the club next season and said he must still meet with the club, although he wants to stay. “I hope things work out, I like it here,” he said.

The first of two playoff phase clashes against Maccabi Haifa ended in a 2-0 win for Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday and they now have a 12-point lead at the top of the TASE Premier League. Midfielder Dan Glazer, who had an outstanding game, was your choice as the Factory 54 Man of the Match, receiving over 85 percent of votes cast. One participant in the ballot will receive a prize courtesy of Boss.

Maccabi Tel Aviv as good as retained their championship crown at Bloomfield on Wednesday and showed themselves to be an immovable object at the top of the TASE Premier League following their 2-0 win over Maccabi Haifa that opened a 12-point gap over their closest rivals.

Goals in front of empty stands by Eyal Golasa in the 18th minute and Matan Hozez in the 86th did the damage and Maccabi were clearly the better team on the night as they put on a competent performance against a Haifa side who played hard but lacked any spark that might have made a difference to the score.

With eight matches remaining until the end of the season and 24 points still in the kitty, it is very hard to see any of Maccabi’s five rivals in the upper playoffs even denting their coast to the finish line.

Haifa fought hard but they did not have enough in the tank at any stage against their superior rivals. The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when Yonatan Cohen broke free down the right byline and sent a ball that landed perfectly at Golasa’s feet at the far end of the area and he made no mistake with his shot from 10 metres out giving Haifa goalkeeper Josh Cohen no chance.

Haifa drove forward occasionally but only had one clear-cut chance and hesitated at crucial moments, giving Maccabi’s defensive unit enough time to clear any danger.

Midfielder Dan Glazer, always a stalwart in defence, was outstanding on the night and fought for every ball.

Most of the second half was an uncompromising tussle and there always appeared to be some hope for Haifa to steal an equaliser, but they were dealt a blow when Neta Lavi was sent off for a second yellow card in the 82nd minute. Any fears Maccabi had of relinquishing their lead were finally dispelled in the 86th minute when Omer Atzili sent a perfect through ball to Hozez, who made no mistake with his powerful shot from the right of the area.

Maccabi’s players celebrated the win at the end of the match and then climbed to the top of the grandstand to greet some supporters who had congregated outside the stadium.