Maccabi Tel Aviv meets Beitar Jerusalem this evening in their Israel Premier League Ligat Japanika second round match which will be the 4th time this season that the two clubs have met. Let’s look back at the previous three contests between Vladimir Ivic’s squad and the capital city side:

29.7.18, Toto Cup: Beitar Jerusalem 0:1 Maccabi Tel Aviv
The first match between the two was in the Toto Cup as part of the clubs that played in UEFA competitions. This was Maccabi’s first step towards the title and thanks to Aron Schoenfeld the Yellow & Blue moved on to eventually capture the trophy.

Sheran Yeini, the Maccabi Tel Aviv captain addressed the assembled media ahead of Monday night’s contest against Beitar Jerusalem at the Netanya Stadium (21:00):

“I don’t believe that there has ever been an easy match against Beitar. It will be a tough match. I’m not a prophet though. This is a big game.”

The small battles:
“I’m very familiar with them and they have dangerous players. They had a lot of chances against us last time. We will have to win the small battles to win the match.”

Earning a place on the squad:
“At Maccabi every player can start and we train very hard. This pushes us forward as we compete for a place in that squad.”

Matan Hozez’s success to date with Hapoel Haifa:
“Matan Hozez is great. We think he is terrific also on a personal level and we are happy for him.”

Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach spoke ahead of his squad’s contest against Beitar Jerusalem at the Netanya Stadium on Monday night at 21:00 and discussed the State Cup quarterfinal draw where the Yellow & Blue will play the winner of the Bnei Sakhnin and Maccabi Haifa Round of 16 contest:

“It doesn’t matter who we get in the cup, we need to beat the opponent. We must win all of the games we have until the end.”

About the upcoming match against Beitar:
“It will be not the first match against them and after 3 games there’s no secrets between us. They have new players which will help them but we want to get the 3 points after the draw last week. It will be a tough game between two big clubs. We will decide before the game who will start.”

Uros Nikolic’s status:
“Uros finished the season in November and we gave him time to rest but he came earlier to adapt. In one training session he a problem after one of his shots. I’m sure we will have him for the best part of the season. Hopefully he will be training with the team in the next 2-3 days.”

Rajkovic’s standing with the team:
“Predrag is a player Maccabi spent a lot of money on and he’s played for the Serbian national team. He works hard and he at a good level now and hopefully until the end of the season. Everything is possible. If he stays he will fight for our club until the end.”

Following Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 4:0 win over Hapoel Acre in the Round of 16, Maccabi Tel Aviv will play the winner of this Tuesday night’s match between Maccabi Haifa and Bnei Sakhnin in the two legged quarterfinal round.

The matches will take place on February 6 and February 27 in a home and away format with the exact dates and times to be published in the near future.

Ophir Davidzada, the Maccabi Tel Aviv defender summed up up squad’s 4:0 win over Hapoel Acre in the State Cup Round of 16 after returning from an injury and recorded an assist on the first goal:

“I waited a long time for this and I’m happy to have returned to the pitch. There’s no better way to come back than assisting on a goal and winning an important match to further our goals this season.”

About returning to Maccabi this season:
“Maccabi was always in the picture even after I finished by first chapter here with the club. Gent wanted me back but things didn’t really work there. Maccabi was always serious and as soon as I had my player card I went right to Maccabi.”

The club’s success to date:
“Were all on the same page. It doesn’t matter who starts or comes off oft get bench everyone wants to give their all for the team. Competition is healthy and you can see it on the pitch and I’m sure that will continue the rest of the season.”

How the competition in the squad adds to the team:
“You can see the results on the pitch. It doesn’t matter who plays because they’ll give 100% and if not they will find themselves with a problem.”

Going for all of the titles:
“Every coach has his own style. Ivic is an incredible coach who knows how to place his players on the pitch. It’s up to us this season and we want to win all of the titles and I hope that it will happen.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the quarter finals of the Israel State Cup with 4:0 victory over Hapoel Acre. First half goals by Dor Micha, Yonatan Cohen and Eliran Atar and a second half strike by Cohen to complete his brace helped the Yellow & Blue to the win.

Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included Predrag Rajkovic in goal, Maor Kandil, Jair Amador, Eitan Tibi, Ophir Davidzada, Ruslan Barsky, Avi Rikan, Dor Micha (C), Yonatan Cohen, Eliran Atar, Chico Ofoedu.

Available on the bench: Daniel Tenenbaum, Enric Saborit, Omer Atzili, Sheran Yeini, Aron Schoenfeld, Dor Peretz, Eden Kartzev.

First Half
Atar had Maccabi’s first chance in the 5’ but his 20 meter free kick missed the target and five minutes later Cohen’s cross to Kandil was headed over the goal. The Yellow & Blue broke the deadlock in the 12’ when Davidzada who was making his return after being out with an injury crossed the ball from the left side to Micha in the box as #15 put it home for a 1:0 advantage.

Chico and Atar’s 15’ give and go resulted in the latter putting the ball over the bar while Cohen’s through ball to Ofoedu in the 19’ was caught by the Acre keeper Antman. Tibi’s 29’ terrific header off a corner was also saved by Antman but Cohen’s header thee minutes later off a beauty of a cross by Micha found its way behind the keeper for a 2:0 advantage.

In the 38’ Micha again was active as he sent Chico the ball but the striker put it off of the bar as the Yellow & Blue nearly increased their lead, which they would do in the 43’ when Atar’s free kick made its way into the goal for a 3:0 lead after 45 minutes of action.

Second Half
Eden Kartzev came on to begin the half and sent his first touch over the goal in the 46’ while he left the ball for Barsky a minute later but Antman parried it away to safety. Rikan and Atar teamed up to give Micha the ball in the 54’ but his chance went over the goal.

Omer Atzili came on for Micha in the 62’ minute as Coach Ivic made his second substitution of the contest while Atar tried his luck from long distance two minutes later but missed the target. Rajkovic was tested twice in the 75’ by Eliyahu but was up to the task as Dor Peretz entered the match in 77’ replacing Davidzada.

Cohen completed a brace in the 79’ when he took a Rikan misfire, turned in the box and slammed the ball home for a 4:0 advantage. Rikan’s 82’ blast was just tipped over the bar by Antman while Rajkovic made a diving stop in the 85’ to keep the clean sheet intact for the 4:0 win.