Category: News
What did Yoram Arbel really want to say about Cohen’s Derby Goal?
The memories brought us back to the announcer who called the most famous goal in Avi Cohen’s career. Yoram Arbel talks about what he really wanted to say at that moment and what actually came out of his mouth:
יורם ארבל על השער המפורסם של אבי כהן בדרבי
“Usually Derbies bring about high expectations ahead of the actual match and the journalists and the media build up the excitement. It wasn’t a great match but when Schweitzer sent Cohen the ball and Avi came and scored, what was supposed to come out of my mouth that to watch such a horrible match was worth it for just that goal. But what actually came out of my mouth was even better; that it was worth to wait forever to see Avi Cohen’s magnificent goal. It was one of the nicest goals that I ever called.”
Family before all: An emotional moment with Dorit Cohen
Yoav Ziv and Dan Glezer visited Dorit Cohen, Avi Cohen’s widow to present her with the Retro Kit that the Maccabi Tel Aviv players will be wearing on Saturday when they face Maccabi Petah Tikva:
“I really want to thank you as this is so exciting. It’s amazing how Maccabi Tel Aviv is honoring our Aviv and how they are treating our family.”
משפחת כהן מקבלת את קולקציית הרטרו שהוקדשה לאבי ז”ל
Ivic: “Avi’s career is a good message for our players”
Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach ad striker Yonatan Cohen looked ahead to Saturday afternoon’s (16:00) Matchday 24 contest against Maccabi Petah Tikva at the Netanya Stadium. The club will be wearing the 1984/85 Retro Kit and will be honoring the memory of Avi Cohen:
Press Conference head MPTFC
“Over the last few days I’ve heard many stories about Avi Cohen. I understand that he was a legend and I heard the stories of his playing time both here in Israel and abroad. It’s important that a club like Maccabi honors its legends. It will be an honor for all of us to be at the match and remember the legacy of such a great. It’s a good message to our players as his career shows them that anything is possible.”
About Petah Tikva:
“We’re playing against a club that took two points from us. It will be a tough match as they are a team that are not in a good position on the table and they will battle for the points. We have to be prepared to work hard in order to take home the win.”
Focus and fight:
“I’m concentrating on this season. We still haven’t done anything and that means we still have to work hard in order to win the next match and the State Cup as well. I’m not calm and I don’t like being that way. Even if we reach those targets will will fight until the end. That’s the way I am and that’s how I want my players to be.”
Yonatan Cohen: “I heard many stories about Avi”
Yonatan Cohen whose father Miki played with Avi Cohen spoke about the Maccabi legend: “I heard many stories about Avi and he’s a very important person to this club. We’re happy that e can honor his memory this coming Saturday.”
About the upcoming match:
“We are coming into the match like any other, to collets the 3 points with the goal to win. We are coming to do what we have to.”
Potentially winning the Treble:
“It’s the dream of every player who has grown up through the ranks of Maccabi to win titles. We are preparing from match to match by firs we are just focusing on the match against Petah Tikva on Saturday.”
Connection with Eliran Atar:
“Just a few seasons ago I was in the stands and I admired him. It’s great to play with him and he’s a friend off of the pitch. Whatever happens on the pitch is up to the coach and we are all here to help him win the goal scoring title.”
The dressing room:
“I don’t know what it’s like at other clubs but I do know that our dressing room is very strong. This is due to the classes and the staff who help us get together off of the pitch as well. You can see how close we are as team and the proof is on the pitch.”
What did Avi leave behind? Boni Ginzburg on his good friend
Boni Ginzburg, Avi Cohen’s good friend spoke about what his special characteristics were as a person and as a player:
בוני גינצבורג על אבי כהן
“Many people felt the same way I do that Avi was their best friend and that says everything about Avi. It didn’t matter what his role was or his standing but Avi was a simple and modest person and when he was at his peak he remained that way. He was just a fantastic person.”
When you talk about heritage and what Avi left behind is that you can be a terrific person with a good heart and also be a great player. You can be a person that has all of those characteristics and Avi has them.”
Cairo, Tel Aviv, Britain: The places where Avi Cohen turned into a legend
A Star is Born
November 14, 1956
Avi was born in Cairo, Egypt and moved with his family to Israel as a one-year old.
A Maccabist is Born
January 1, 1965
During 1965, a 9-year old Avi joined a youth team at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
First Team Debut
March 23, 1974
Avi played in his first match with Maccabi Tel Aviv’s First Team away at Hakoach Ramat Gan a match that ended in a 2:0 win thanks to a brace by Dror Bar Nur.
First Goal
May 10, 1975
Avi scored his first goal in a 1:0 win over Hapoel Hadera. In the years to come as a central defender with Maccabi he was known for his style – “Libero”.
The Israel National Team
July 19, 1976
The youngsters play in league action was noticed at the National Team level and he played in his first match against Guatemala (0:0). Over the course of the upcoming seasons, Avi would not only captain the side by also make 64 appearances and score one goal for the Blue & White.
Double
June 1, 1977
The 1976/77 brought Avi his first titles – a League Championship and the State Cup.
The most famous goal
December 2, 1978
Avi scored a goal that he will always be identified with on a volley in a 2:0 Derby win over Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Liverpool on its way
February 1, 1979
Avi’s quality was noticed by English club Liverpool and in February of 1979 the Israeli Star was invited for a trial week.
The second championship
May 26, 1979
The 1978/79 campaign was another successful one for the best player in Israel as Avi won his second league championship.
Heading to England
July 1, 1979
In July of 1979 Avi did the unthinkable and became the first Israeli to play in England’s First Division. Liverpool, the most successful club in the world purchased the defender for $450,000.
Scoring in the championship match
May 3, 1980
Avi was in the starting lineup when Liverpool won the league title at Anfield. He scored an own goal but immediately helped the club take a 2:1 lead on the way to a 4:1 win over Aston Villa to capture the championship.
European Champion
May 27, 1981
After the Israeli appeared in three matches throughout the campaign, Liverpool (without Avi in the squad) defeated Real Madrid 1:0 and captured the European Cup. Avi became the first and only Israeli to date to lift the trophy and be crowned Champion of Europe.
Second term with Maccabi
November 7 1981
During the 1981/82 season Avi retuned to Maccabi Tel Aviv and played his first game back against Maccabi Haifa in a contest that ended 0:0.
Another trophy for the cabinet
June 9, 1987
Avi won his second State Cup in an unforgettable final that went to penalties after a 3:3 draw after 120 minutes against Maccabi Haifa.
Return to the British Isles
July 1, 1987
In the summer of 1987, Avi signed with Scottish club Glasgow Rangers under Head Coach Graeme Souness who played together with the Israeli at Liverpool.
Scottish Title
October 25, 1987
During his first season with Rangers, Avi won the 1987/88 League Cup. The Israeli came on as a substitute in the final that ended 3:3 against Aberdeen and was won in a penalty shootout.
Third term with Maccabi
July 1, 1988
After a season in Scotland, Avi returned to Israel in the summer of 1988 and joined Maccabi for his third and final term with the club.
End of career
March 6, 1990
Over the course of the 1989/90 season Avi joined Maccabi Netanya as an assistant coach under Motele Spiegler which ended the illustrious career of the Israeli football star. Avi played a number of matches for Netanya during the 1991/92 campaign and then retired for good.
Death
December 29, 2010
On December 20, 2010 Avi was injured in a traffic accident when a truck hit his motorbike and on the 29th his heart stopped and left this world in a tragedy at the age of 54.
Maccabi marks his memory
March 6, 2012
The club decided to rename the Youth Department in Avi’s memory until this day.
The biggest, most beautiful and most successful: Avi Cohen Weekend
Over the 100+ year history of the club there have been many wonderful moments that have turned us into who we are today. Matches and heroes who have made us true Maccabi fans and that have given us the identity of a Maccabist who always looks for the best of the best.
מדי הרטרו בסימן המורשת של אבי כהן
After commemorating the 1995/96 Double Season with the checkered kit last year, this 2018/19 campaign will bring us back to the ultimate Maccabist – Avi Cohen. Legend, winner and a trailblazer who became the first Israeli to play in England and the one who came up with the phrase that identifies who we are today: “To be part of Maccabi Tel Aviv is to be big, beautiful and successful.”
This weekend will be dedicated to Avi with the highlight coming on Saturday when the Maccabi players will face Maccabi Petah Tikva wearing a Retro kit, which has become a tradition.
The current collection will take us back to 1984/85 when Avi and his teammates wore a yellow and dark blue kit with stripes and that featured the immortal logo of Baruch Fashion on the front.
Whether we were lucky enough to be there when it happened, or we just the heard stories, Saturday will be full of nostalgia. Before the match there will be an exciting ceremony with the Cohen family. The special Retro collection is already waiting for you to purchase and you can also enjoy plenty of content about Avi Cohen and his legacy on the Official Maccabi website and App, including a special Matchday Program that will be published on Friday.
Maccabi “Oded” U17 defeats Beitar Jerusalem 4:3
Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 4:3 Beitar Jerusalem (U17)
The Under-17 team hosted Beitar Jerusalem as Eliezer Ben Aharon’s squad recorded the win. Goals by Or Roizman x2, Yali Lazar and Tal Torgman helped the Yellow & Blue to the victory as the side remain at the top of the table with a 9-point lead.
נערים א׳ בניצחון 3:4 על בית״ר ירושלים (מחזור 21)
Head Coach Ben Aharon summed up the win: “Only in football can a game turn 180 degrees from the first 60 minutes to the last 30. We controlled the pace of play over the first 60 with good football plays as we created numerous chances. The last 30 were a totally different story as Beitar came back into the game and swung the momentum in their favor and almost drew even. This has happened a number of times recently which means we have to think about what we are doing and make improvements. Next week we play in Sakhnin who are a tough club and we will do our utmost to come back with the win and improve our late match minutes.”
Ticket Sales Ashdod Away Match
Maccabi Tel Aviv will play Ashdod on Matchday 25 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al on Saturday March 2, 18:20 at the 11 Yud Alef Stadium, in Ashdod. Tickets are now on, so come and cheer on the Yellow & Blue.
Please Note: This match is part of the Points Allocation System and season ticket holders will receive 3 points for this contest while non-season ticket holders will receive 1.5 points. Make sure that when tickets are purchased via the Leaan Website, telephone or Leaan Ticket Office the season ticket number is used in order to receive full points. Should the purchase not be done by using the season ticket number points will not be allocated.
Should a ticket be purchased and the fan doesn’t attend the match, there will be no refunds and no points will be allocated.
Tickets are on sale via the Leaan Ticket Office located at 42 Frishman Street Tel Aviv, telephone *8780 and the Leaan Website.
Print at Home is available
It’s recommended to pick up your tickets prior to the match in order to avoid lines. The pickup location on Matchday will be announced in the near future.
Ticket prices
(Maccabi fans will be seated in sections 3,4,5)
Leaan Ticket Office:
55 NIS
Telephone/Website:
60 NIS
Ticket Collection
Tickets may be collected at the Leaan Ticket Office located at 42 Frishman Street between Sunday-Thursday 09:00-19:00, Friday 09:00-13:30 and on Matchday until 12:00.
Tickets may be collected on Matchday at the Stadium ticket windows beginning 2 hours prior to the match and will close at the opening whistle.
The Under-15 team defeats Beitar Jerusalem 3:0
ניצחון של נערים ב׳ 0:3 על בית״ר ירושלים (מחזור 20)
Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 3:0 Beitar Jerusalem (U16)
The Under-16 team hosted Beitar Jerusalem on Matchday 20 of league play and recorded the victory as Aviv Pelles, Elad Kaplan and Rom Gross all scores to moved into 2nd place, just 2 points off of the table.
Head Coach Eran Sassi summed up the win: “We began the match well with a quick goal in the first minute. We continued to control the match and were able to create more chances but couldn’t find the back of the goal. We started the second half by pressing te opponent and wanted to score another quick goal but we weren’t able to. However, we continued to have many good chances but we also ave to correct some of our defensive issues. We allowed Beitar a number of good chances and could have paid a high price for that. Finally, we were able to score a couple of goals near the end of the match.”
