Maccabi Tel Aviv returned from Sammy Ofer stadium tonight disappointed after dropping two points which could prove crucial in the race for the league title having conceding a 93rd minute equaliser.

Coach Vladimir Ivic summed up the game in the end and said: “We deserved more than a point. We were the better team. We missed chances in the first half and the second half. In the end they scored a goal from one chance but this is football, you must play until the final second”. 

Ivic continued: “We can’t afford to let our opponents score in the final second of the game. We must analyse the game and learn where we went wrong and move on to our next game. We scored one goal and created more chances to score the second and finish off the game. In the last minute we didn’t play smart and this is why the scored the equaliser. We didn’t play smart in all the positions”.

On the transfer window which ended without a signing, Ivic said: “We tried to sign more players in the transfer window but in the end we kept the current squad. We have a good squad of players and believe in them”.

Maccabi Tel Aviv continue their unbeaten run and still head the Premier League but will leave the Sammy Ofer stadium disappointed to come away with one point instead of three in a dramatic 1-1 encounter. In control throughout the 90 minutes, Maccabi got on the wrong side of three correct VAR reviews, the third of which cost them two points. In the 93rd minute substitute Nes Zamir displayed great technique and a cool head to latch onto a through ball before placing the ball in the back of the net in a smash-and-grab raid that gained an unlikely point.

On a damp pitch, Maccabi were a class apart and went ahead in the 37th minute when Jonathan Cohen’s perfectly weighted pass saw Shechter beat the offside trap and round Haifa keeper Yasmin Borich to give the visitors a well deserved lead. The VAR review of Shechter’s positioning was close and the goal stood. But that is where Maccabi’s VAR luck ended. Two minutes before the break Maccabi were awarded a penalty by referee Eli Hachmon when David Malul appeared to handle in the box but VAR determined his hand was not outstretched and the decision was revoked.

And five minutes into the second half Maccabi defender Andrea Girales scored a superb debut goal in professional football after Cohen put him through but VAR picked up Cohen’s foot millimeters offside and the goal was revoked. Despite these setbacks, Maccabi remained in charge and had chances to seal the game and until the late Haifa goal, Maccabi keeper Daniel Tenebaum was a spectator only making one save when he denied Sa’ar Fadida in a one-on-one breakaway in the 22nd minute.

And in injury time, where Cohen’s foot was earlier on the wrong side of the fence, so VAR revealed Zamir’s to be just onside and by such margins games are won, lost and drawn.

Said Maccabi coach Vladimir Ivich: “We deserved more than one point but we missed chances. I could not see the VAR decisions properly.”  Asked whether Maccabi Haifa could be just three points behind Maccabi after their game on Monday at Beitar Jeriusalem , Ivic said: “No, They don’t concern me, we must continue to play our game.”

The second phase of the TASE Premier League is nearing its close and on Saturday, Maccabi Tel Aviv face another tough test at Sammy Ofer Stadium, this time against Hapoel Haifa in the 23rd round.

Maccabi lead the standings by five points from second-placed Maccabi Haifa and Vladimir Ivic’s players will hope to at least temporarily increase the gap to eight points. Maccabi Haifa will be in action on Monday against Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium.

But Ivic will have to make do without the services of Dan Glazer, who is serving a one-match ban after accruing five yellow cards. 

The game will also be the first since the closing of the mid-season transfer window and Maccabi have released Eliran Atar and Aaron Schoenfeld.

The last meeting between these two sides was one of Maccabi’s best performances of the season and they won 3-0 at Bloomfield. 

 Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Hapoel Haifa on Saturday (19:50) and a player who knows the Haifaites really well is Roslan Barsky who played for them in the past. Today (Thursday) the midfielder spoke at the press conference ahead of the encounter.

“I know Hapoel Haifa really well and this is a team which has always caused Maccabi problems,” the midfielder said, “We are preparing in the best possible and hope to be prepared for our opponents”.

On the departures of Atar and Schoenfeld: 
“Maccabi is a big club with excellent players. Every player has a replacement and I am certain we will do our job in the best possible way.

On his status at the club: 
“During all the recent period I focused on myself and the day to day training sessions. I worked hard week in week out to prove to the coach that I deserve to play. Every player at a club like Maccabi goes through such a period. I never thought about leaving, I am happy here and will continue to work hard”.

On the title race:
The gap in the table is irrelevant. We are focusing on our targets and on our team. If we continue collecting points in this way I am certain we will reach our goals and achieve our targets”

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC have reached agreement with Aaron Schoenfeld over the termination of his contract by mutual consent after the striker expressed his desire to leave the club and return to the United States.

In four seasons at Maccabi, Schoenfeld won a league championship, two Toto Cups, one Super-Cup and he qualified with the team for the Europa League group phase.

Schoenfeld told the club’s official website: “Maccabi will forever live in my heart. These past years have been filled with love and joy. I can’t thank the club and fans enough for all their support during these past three years together. Yalla Maccabi!”

Schoenfeld, scored one goal in five appearances this season and a total of 10 goals in 76 appearances in all competitions since joining Maccabi from Hapoel Tel Aviv in February 2017.
The American-born striker became famous at Maccabi for scoring crucial goals and his strike against Bnei Yehuda earlier this season helped win the Super Cup.
Last season, Schoenfeld’s header against Maccabi Haifa secured the league title with another 1-0 victory, while his goals against Tirana and Reykjavik helped Maccabi reach the Europa League group stage in the 2017-18 season.

We thank Aaron Schoenfeld for his contribution, professionalism and positive attitude throughout his four seasons with Maccabi. It was a pleasure to have Aaron with us. He is a true asset to every football club and a role model for young players. Everyone at Maccabi wishes Aaron the best of luck for the future