Maccabi Tel Aviv managed only a goalless draw against defensive-minded Hapoel Hadera on Saturday in the TASE Premier League, a disappointing result that has seen them still without a goal in any of their three fixtures at home since returning to the new Bloomfield Stadium.

Defender Eitan Tibi spoke to reporters after the game and said that only fine margins separated the hosts from a win to show that they were back on track after the 4-0 drubbing of Beitar Jerusalem in their previous outing.

“Clearly, we really wanted this win today and to add another three points to the kitty. We weren’t thinking of the big win we had over Beitar Jerusalem last week.

“Today we faced a side that came only to defend hoping perhaps to steal a goal. It was completely different. We had several chances to score but regrettably, we didn’t put the ball in the net.”

Tibi said that Maccabi’s players had prepared to face a side like Hadera, whose only aim was to close ranks and not concede.

“We do practice, we reached scoring situations but unfortunately we just couldn’t put one away. Usually, when you score one goal against such teams the game opens up but today it didn’t happen.”

He said he was certain the team would settle back into winning ways.

“I have no doubt that we will finally score at Bloomfield, it’s just a matter of time. We didn’t concede here and at least that’s good, but we do need to score in order to win.

“This season will be more challenging for us compared to last but it’s a good thing and will keep us honest.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv were held to a goalless draw by Hapoel Hadera on Saturday and coach Vladimir Ivic summed up his feelings about the game.

“We did not play well today and we didn’t create enough chances, at least not until the final minute. It was not enough to win and we will have to be better in our next game and show what we can do”. 

“We tried to score and we had several chances but as I said, we must be better in our execution from the first to the 95th minute”.

 Ivic said he was impressed and humbled by the Maccabi’s fans continuous support and asked them to keep it up: “We ask them to carry on. We work hard and are playing for them. It’s much easier when they are behind us.”

Hapoel Hadera held Maccabi Tel Aviv to a goalless draw at Bloomfield Stadium on Saturday, getting an important result for them and frustrating their hosts at every turn.

Maccabi had numerous attempts to put the ball in their opponents’ net, although the team from the north made life as difficult as they could for the home favourites.

Hadera played with almost their entire team behind the ball for 90 minutes and barely any of Maccabi’s players, who kept the pressure on the Hadera goalmouth throughout the entire encounter. 

Hadera had at least five players in their back line at any given time and Maccabi had few innovative ideas as they tried to find a way through towards goal.

Maccabi had three attempts at goal in the first half but none came close to the target, Hadera made no effort to even threaten Daniel Tenebaum in the Maccabi goal.

Enrique Saborit was the first Maccabi player to have a pot shot at goal in the second half but that too missed the target as the Hadera players continued to opt for a very defensive stance and not allow the home team any leeway going forward.

Maccabi began forcing the pace a bit more and pressured Hadera into conceding more corners hoping that the set piece might produce the breakthrough but no player managed to break free for a good attempt at Austin Aguida’s goal. 

Two headed efforts in the 83rd minute also missed the target in what seemed Maccabi’s best chance to break the deadlock as Hadera’s defence held their ground and

Dor Micha had the best chance of all in the 86th minute when he was put clear with only Aguida, to beat but he shot directly at the man, who managed to keep the ball out. Uros Nikolic then had a final effort thwarted by a Hadera defender to end the match on a disappointing note for Maccabi, while Hadera’s team and their entire bench reveling in the point they had garnered.