Category: News

Peretz: “It’s great we ended the match with a win”

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Dor Peretz, the Maccabi midfielder who scored the dramatic 95’ winner against Hapoel Hadera looked back at the match that was:

“It’s great we ended the match with a win. It wasn’t one of our best games and it wasn’t the football that we have played all season but we took the 3 points and we continue on.”

Caliber of the match:
“This was not a good match speaking as one who played in it. We feel that we didn’t play well but we will move on after taking the 3 points.”

Ending the season undefeated and summing up the campaign to date:
“I hope that it will happen and it’s up to us and how we play in the remaining games that we have left. I can’t sum up the season yet as we still have 4 matches left in the campaign.”

Ivic: “It’s important to know how to win these types of games”

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Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach summed his side’s dramatic win during injury time thanks to Dor Peretz’s header goal:

“It was one game that we want to forget as soon as possible as this was not how we want to play. It may have been one of the worst games. It’s the end of the season but we don’t want to look for an excuse. But we took the 3 points and that is what is most important as we have to know how to win these types of games.”

Finishing the season undefeated:
“Every game will be difficult and we will need to fight and give 100% to win every game. Each team wants to win and if you don’t fight and don’t deserve it, then it will be difficult to win the game. We didn’t play well and we didn’t play good football. Not just up front but also in the middle and the back.”

Transfer window ahead of the Champions League qualifiers:
“We will see. I hope some of the players who are hurt will be ready as it’s still a few months until the first game. They will work hard as will the medical staff to help the players recuperate and then they can fight for the club.”

From Dor to Dor: Maccabi defeats Hadera 1:0 on Peretz’s 95′ winner

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Maccabi Tel Aviv needed 95 minutes to break through Hapoel Hadera’s stingy defense to snatch the 3-points at the buzzer. Dor Micha sent a beauty of a ball to Dor Peretz in the box as the midfielder headed home the winner just before the referee blew the final whistle.

Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Daniel Tenenbaum who made his second start in a row, Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Sheran Yeini, Enric Saborit, Dan Glezer, Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan, Omer Atzili, Eliran Atar, Itay Shechter.

Available on the bench: Predrag Rajkovic, Jair Amador, Ophir Davidzada, Nadav Nidam, Dor Micha, Yonatan Cohen, Chico Ofoedu.

First Half
Maccabi pressed high to begin the match and in the 10’ Peretz almost scored via a header off a corner from the right side but just came up short. Atzili also had a chance to find the back of the goal but Austin Ejide made the timely save for the host’s.

In the 40’ Tenenbaum made a terrific stop off of Lucio’s attempt from only 6 meters out. Just before the break, Rikan almost gave Maccabi the lead but his chip shot from 16 meters was saved by Ejide as the side’s went into halftime goalless.

Second Half
Dor Micha came on for Rikan to begin the half and Atar had a terrific opportunity to give the Yellow & Blue the lead in the 48’ but just missed the target. A minute later Atar once again had a chance this time from in the box but Ejide was up to the task.

Eliel Peretz and Vitali Ganon tried to surprise Tenenbaum from long distance but the keeper was in place to make the save. Ivic then introduced Chico Ofoedu in favor of Atzili.

Dor Peretz almost broke the ice from a cross by Saborit but his shot went over the bar and out. In the 85’ Yonatan Cohen came on for Shechter and five minutes later Hadera were left with ten men when Eden Kartzev was issued a red card due to a reckless tackle on Glezer.

Just before the final whistle Micha sent a beauty of a cross to Peretz who headed home the winner from 6 meters out in the 95’ to help Maccabi grab the 3 points and the win.

The Under-17 Team Capture the League Title

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The Club’s Under-17 team drew 1:1 with Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Derby on Matchday 27 of league play. With 3 Matchdays remaining Head Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon’s Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv squad secured the league championship. With a 9 point lead over second place Maccabi Petah Tikva and a 35 goal differential the young Yellow & Blue have wrapped up the title.

Ben Aharon summed up the club’s achievement: “This was a Derby where we were the stronger team in almost every parameter. Despite not winning it’s great that we wrapped up the title. This was one off the most challenging seasons for me as a coach and we have 3 matches left so I want to make sure that we end the campaign as best as possible.”

Of the club’s 27 matches to date they have recorded 21 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses. The Yellow & Blue have scored 90 goals while conceding only 32. The leading goal scorer to date is striker Tal Torjman with 25 goals.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fall to Hapoel Ramat Hasharon 3:0

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Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, the club’s Under-19 side fell to Ramat Hasharon 3:0 on goals by Aviel Ben Hemo, Liat Salama and Guy Lehrer. Last match saw the two squads play to a 1:1 draw. The Yellow & Blue began the day in 2nd place behind first place Maccabi Petah Tikva by 3 points while their rivals were in 11th place.

Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI: Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Ain Shtrozberg, Yoav Hofmayster, Dan Lugassi, Tamir Glezer, Ido Shahar, Omri Ram, Bar Cohen, Rave Assayag, Tal Yagudaev.

First Half
Maccabi controlled the pace of play early on and in the 13’ Yagudaev’s shot went over the goal but 3 minutes later Ramat Hasharon almost took the lead when Jeff Embriya’s chance went over keeper Itzhak but the ball hit the post as the shot stopper recovered to grab the ball off the line.

Ram sent Assayag a cross but he couldn’t control the ball as it went out and ten minutes later Lugassi sent a pass to Assayag but his header was saved by the Ramat Hasharon keeper. A double pass between Yagudaev and Shahar almost gave Maccabi the elad but the former’s opportunity went over the bar.

Second Half
An alert Itzhak made the save for Maccabi in the 48’ off of Shai Belhassen and two minutes later Maccabi’s Yagudaev sent a ball just over the goal. In the 54’ a short corner made it to Cohen but his shot was saved by Valkovich, however, 7 minutes later Ramat Hasharon took a 1:0 lead. Aviel Ben Hemo went one on one with the keeper and sent it begin Itzhak for the advantage.

Itzhak was again tested in the 66’ when he made a couple of saves in the box and 3 minutes later Eyal Hen’s chance for Maccabi missed the target. Ramat Hasharon took a 2 goal lead in the 77’ when Tomer Mahluf lost the ball and Liat Salama beat Itzhak for a 2:0 advantage.

Three minutes later Guy Lehrer added to Ramat Hasharon’s lead with their 3rd goal of the match on a counter attack as they wrapped up a 3:0 win over Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv.

Atzili: “We are hoping to break as many records as possible”

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As Maccabi Tel Aviv readies for their Israel Premier League Match at Hapoel Hadera on Saturday at 18:00 at the Netanya Stadium, the club held an Open Day where the fans had a chance to meet the Yellow & Blue Stars. Hundreds of supporters descended upon the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom to see their heroes up close and personal as they took selfies and received autographs from the players.

Omer Atzili took time out to talk about the upcoming Championship Playoff contest and meeting the fans:

אצילי במפגש האוהדים

“It’s great to be here. We love these days where we get a chance to meet all of the fans. It’s really gratifying especially as were playing well so it’s great to see everyone.”

The fan support throughout the season:
“We really feel the fans backing us and cheering us on. Even though we’ve already wrapped up the title they are still coming out to support us as we still have other goals that we want to reach this season. We’re really happy that they are with us and that they continue to push us forward.”

Potentially breaking the points record:
“Slowly but surely, but yes. Another win and another win and we can reach that goal. In a season like this where we haven’t lost in league play we are hoping that we can break as many records as possible.” 

His own season to date:
“I have good stats but I don’t feel that this is an exceptional season for me. Maybe if I had 17 or 1 goals, but I’m happy with where I am. I feel that I’m a big part of the championship and both myself and the team are enjoying it very much.”

The penalty against Bnei Yehuda:
“Anyone who has seen the penalty knows I was trying to kick the ball towards the goal but I slipped. In fact the ball only hit me once and perhaps the VAR will be better as time goes on as it’s something that will add to our football.”

About the upcoming Champions League qualifiers:
“It’s a dream but it’s still way off. We’re not even thinking about it yet as we still have a number of more matches until the off season.”

Ahead of Hadera:
“Hadera has had a good season and they played above and beyond what was expected. We’re concentrating and focusing on ourselves and we will come into the contest playing our football. I hope that’s what will be and that we will win the match.”

Into the Final: The Under-16 Team wins the Derby on penalties

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On Wednesday, the Club’s Under-16 Team, Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv advanced to the State Cup Final where they will play Ahi Nazareth after defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv in a penalty shootout 4:2. The score at full time was 1:1.

Eran Sassi’s squad controlled the pace of play and took the lead in the first half. However, despite maintaining possession throughout the second half, the Reds scored on a free kick five minutes until the end of regulation time to draw even.

The contest went to a penalty shootout after a goalless extra-time where Maccabi scored all 4 of their spot kicks while Hapoel missed once and had a kick saved by the Yellow & Blue keeper as Sassi’s charges took a 4:2 win.

The head coach Eran Sassi summed up the victory: “Our first half was a bit disorganized and we played from side to side. We didn’t have the control we would have liked. However, we were still dangerous and had numerous chances as we took a 1:0 lead at the break. Our goal in the second half was to control the pace of play with quality opportunities and we had a better half. But the players began to tire and we made a number of substitutes where we saw how well prepared they were after coming off of the bench. A few minutes before the end of the match we gave up a goal and both sides were couldn’t score in the extratime period. Thankfully we won the penalty shootout and I’m the happiest person in the world for the players as they deserved this win.”

The Under-14 Team advances to the State Cup Final

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Today, Wednesday, the Under-14 North Squad Maccabi “Shlomo” Tel Aviv advanced to the State Cup final after defeating Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 6:0 at Ramat Gan Stadium.

Head Coach Adi Heber summed up the victory: “The draw handed us a semifinal clash against Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion. On paper the quality between the sides was evident. We prepared for the match through video sessions and training sessions where we were able to see how we could take advantage of our strengths against them.

From the very first seconds of the contest the players were able to do what they had prepared to the best of their abilities. We scored an early goal and had many chances where we scored a total of 6 markers. I’m happy as to the aggressiveness and fight we had for every ball and we didn’t allow our opponents a second of air throughout the match. I want to thank the players and my staff, Alon Peleg, Adi Somekh, Shai Hess and Robin Verheul. We will celebrate today and tomorrow we will begin our preparations for the next league game.”

Cohen: “It’s great to score. We have goals we want to reach by the end of the season”

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Yonatan Cohen, the Maccabi Tel Aviv striker who scored the second goal of the 2:0 win summed up the match that was:

“In league play all of my goals have been against Bnei Yehuda while I have scored others but in Cup action. It’s great to score especially in a win and I am happy that we recorded the victory today.”

Goals ahead:
“We are professionals at Maccabi Tel Aviv which always strives to be the best. We train very hard and we have a lot of goals that we want to reach before the end of the season both on an individual and team level. But our first goal every match is to win the game and I’m happy that we are translating that onto the pitch.”

Proving ourselves:
“We all want to prove ourselves when we get a chance to play for the upcoming season. Each one of us has to focus on the team’s goals and then on a personal level. We come into every game prepared and focussed to win.”

Potentially going undefeated in league play with 5 matches left:
“I hope so.”