Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Haifa at Bloomfield in the opening of the playoff phase (kickoff at 19:50) and spoke of the team’s preparedness for the fixture under the shadow of the coronavirus crisis which is forcing the match to be played behind closed doors.
Category: News
Yonatan Cohen: We are out to win, no excuses
Yonatan Cohen spoke ahead of Saturday’s clash with Hapoel Haifa at Bloomfield in the opening round of the playoff phase and said that the players had been briefed on keeping safe and healthy during the coronavirus outbreak.
“The coaching and medical staff have spoken to us and explained the situation and have discussed the need to try to avoid physical contact, to maintain hygiene and stay at home and avoid public places. I’m sure everybody has tried to do so in the past days as much as possible,” Cohen said.
Playing without supporters to cheer the players would be tough, he said, but that winning was the only thing on everybody’s minds.
“We will really miss the crowd and the support. Playing in an empty stadium will be difficult, but there are no excuses. We are going out there to win and we expect to do our best and take all three points.
“All our opponents want to be the first to beat us this season. It will be difficult in an empty stadium but we are going out there to win,” he added.
All age group games called off until further notice
The Israel Football Association has ordered the immediate cancellation of all youth and junior games as part of national efforts to try to reduce the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and no tentative date has yet been proposed for a resumption of activities.
Israel Football Association Chairman Oren Hasson said in a statement: “Our decision was taken because we view the safety of coaches, club officials, players and the general public with utmost importance. We had hoped to be able to continue to hold matches despite the challenging situation but we must act responsibly in line with the national interest and also take heed of the calls from worried parents.
This has been a painful decision but we will convene in the near future with health officials to consider our next steps with the hope that we will be able to resume normal activities as soon as possible.”
SHACHAR VS MACCABI: Tenenbaum’s greatest threat
Maccabi Tel Aviv is happy to introduce our YouTube channel and it is certain to put a smile on your faces as presenter Shachar Malki poses various challenges for club players.
You can watch by signing up to Maccabi’s official YouTube channel. You will receive alerts when a new episode has been posted.
Who’s in fancy dress?
Players do battle for the tastiest Pizza Prego
Maccabi players celebrate Purim
Youth results this weekend
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19s drew 1-1 with host Ramat Hasharon on Saturday in league action and required an equaliser for a share of the points despite controlling much of the action.
The hosts were first on the score sheet when Tal Yagodiev received a good through-ball and he slotted home past Maccabi ‘keeper Ben Musayof. Maccabi “Shahar” then levelled in the 70th minute when Parfait Guiagon completed a good 1-2 move with Rave Asayag before the Cote d’Ivoire player rolled the ball in for the equaliser and a share of the points.
Maccabi Tel Aviv “Oded” 2, Ironi Nesher 1: U17registered an important home win in the 20th round of their division through second-half goals by Dor Turgeman and Uri Halevy that kept them top of the standings. Nesher reduced the arrears in the 70th minute and ten minutes later they had a penalty, but it was well saved by Roei Amedi in the Maccabi goal.
Hapoel Ramat Gan 1, Maccabi Tel Aviv “Eldad” 3: First half goals by Osher Bruchim and Roey Zerzevsky and another in the second half by Agam Hanoun did the damage for U15. Ramat Gan got a consolation goal in the dying seconds.
U16 did not have a fixture this Saturday.
Maccabi Shachar draw 1-1 with Ramat Hasharon
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19s drew 1-1 with host Ramat Hasharon on Saturday in league action and required an equaliser for a share of the points despite controlling much of the action.
The hosts were first on the scoresheet after both sides had earlier missed the target when in the 26th minute, Tal Yagodiev received a good through-ball and he slotted home past Maccabi ‘keeper Ben Musayof.
Ramat Hasharon came close to scoring a second in the 34th minute but were denied by Musayof’s crossbar.
Maccabi increased the pressure in the second period and after a couple of opportunities, they finally levelled the score in the 70th minute when Parfait Guiagon completed a good 1-2 move with Rave Asayag before the Cote d’Ivoire player rolled the ball in for the equaliser.
Riding the momentum, Maccabi might have had a second goal within a minute, but Asayag headed wide.
Nadav Nidam, who came on as substitute, had a good shot saved in the 78th, and just before the end, Poraz Velkovich, the Ramat Hasharon ‘keeper, did well to save another dangerous shot, this time from Ronen Hanchis.
Maccabi youth action on Saturday
Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar” will play away to Hapoel Ramat Hasharon on Saturday at noon in the 23rd round of action of the under-19 youth league and will look to repeat the success from their previous meeting this season when they won 3-0.
U17 division leaders Maccabi Tel Aviv “Oded” host Ironi Nesher at Kiryat Shalom at 11:00 in the 20th round of action, a clash between the top and bottom sides in the division. Nesher have managed only two wins this season and won’t want a repeat of their 5-1 drubbing in their first meeting.
U15 will be away to Hapoel Ramat Gan at the Hashikma ground at 14:30 in the 20th round of their division. Maccabi Tel Aviv “Eldad” are fourth in the standings, their hosts are in 13th spot. Again, Maccabi’s boys will look for another win against their opponents to back up their 5-0 victory the last time they met.
U16 are not in action this weekend.
