Sheran Yeini, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Captain looked ahead to Tuesday’s match against Hapoel Beer Sheva at the Netanya Stadium at 21:00 on Matchday 15 of the Israel Premier League:

“Every point is important, especially in a prestigious match like this. It will be difficult like always against them and we hope to come away with a good result.”

Is this a more difficult match than Beitar?
“The match against Beitar has no influence on this one and I’m sure the same is true for Beer Sheva. We all want to win and both sides are very focused. We are ready to go and having 3 matches in a week is fun. We are prepared from a physical and mental point of view and it’s always fun to play as much as possible.”

Plans for tomorrow:
“I’m not going to reveal the game plan but matches against Beer Sheva are always difficult. We will look to win balls, control the play and have chances on goal, those are the important things. In terms of exactly what we are going to do, I’m not going to go into that.”

About the last number of big games:
“What we’ve done up to now has been good. The season began well, but it’s very long and we will have to keep up our abilities through the end of the campaign. We are just thinking about how we can improve our play and then do just that.”

Is Maccabi the favorite?
“I don’t think that there is a favorite in this type of match. The fact that we have been battling with them for the title over the past number of seasons means that this is a match that is much more than just what is happening on the table. We are expecting an even and difficult match.”

The squad’s relationship with Coach Ivic:
“A coach has a strong influence on a club that is managed well as the players respect and appreciate him and follow his lead. That is our case and we are also very close as a team and speak about everything. It’s fun that we are having a season like this, the staff is very serious and we are happy with the work they are doing.”

Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach addressed the assembled media ahead of the club’s Matchday 15 Israel Premier League clash against Hapoel Beer Sheva on Tuesday at 21:00:

“We are expecting a tough match, just like the last two. We are playing against the team which has won the last 3 league championships and have quality players so I’m sure it will be a difficult match.”

Squad injury status:
“I am hoping that both Eli Dasa and Maor Kandil will be healthy tomorrow. In terms of the rotation I don’t believe that there will be many changes in the starting lineup.”

Importance of the match:
“This is a match that we can take 3 points, one point or no points. The league is very long and each match is worth 3 points and we are looking at this as any other match. I agree that this is like a Derby against a strong opponent but the goal is to take 3 points like every other match. We have many matches ahead of us and I’ve spoken about this many times. We know what we are doing well and what needs to be improved and we will continue working on what needs to be improved.”

About Jair and the other defenders:
“If we have players who are playing well then they will continue to keep their place. Amador is training well but the club is happy that the players who are playing and the results are good then this is the situation.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv will play Hapoel Raanana on Matchday 16 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Japanika on Saturday December 29th, 16:00 at Ramat Gan Stadium. Tickets are now on sale, so come out and cheer on the Yellow & Blue.

Please Note: This match is part of the Points Allocation System and season ticket holders will receive 2 points for this contest while non-season ticket holders will receive 1 point. 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.

Ticket prices
(Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will be seated in Section 2 Upper/Lower Unreserved)
Home Printing is available

Leaan Ticket Office: 55 NIS
Telephone/Website: 60 NIS

On Matchday at the Box Office should tickets remain 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.

Tickets may be collected on Matchday at the Stadium ticket windows beginning 3 hours prior to the match

Yonatan Cohen’s match winner at Teddy helped improve Maccabi Tel Aviv’s record at the stadium in Cup contests. The Yellow & Blue lost their last two State Cup final appearances and fell to Hapoel Jerusalem in the first round in 2012 and in the Round of 16 to Beitar in 2010.

The only other victory at Teddy Stadium in State Cup matches took place in 2015 when Maccabi defeated Ahi Nazareth 3:0 in the competition’s semifinal.

This is the 5th season in a row that Maccabi advanced in their first round match. The last time they were eliminated in their first appearance was against Ashdod in 2013/14.

The last time Maccabi won a match thanks to a goal in the 90’ was a 2:1 victory over Kiryat Shemona in 2016/17. Vidar Kjartansson’s header handed the Yellow & Blue the 3 points up north and the club also wore white kits in that match as well.

In fact, Eran Zahavi’s famous goal in Basel (2:2 in the 96’) was also scored while wearing a white kit.

Yonatan Cohen has scored 3 goals in the last two matches that he has played. A brace against Bnei Yehuda and the goal at Jerusalem. That translates into a goal in every 24.6 minutes (3 minutes versus Beitar and 71 against Bnei Yehuda).

The striker has scored 5 goals in 8 matches across all competitions.

Defensive back Enric Saborit’s perfect assist on the match winner was his first this season.

Maor Kandil, Maccabi’s other defensive back recorded his second assist of the season as he picked one up against Maccabi Haifa and in the Cup match.

Eliran Atar continued his fine form and he scored his 6th goal in as many games. To date he has found the back of the goal 15 times this season across all competitions.

Maccabi Tel Aviv were drawn to face Hapoel Acre in the Israel State Cup Round of 16. Last night the Yellow & Blue advanced over Beitar Jerusalem thanks to a late winner by Yonatan Cohen to take the 2:1 win.

The contest will take place between January 15-17, 2019 at the Netanya Stadium with the exact date and time to be determined. Acre defeated the defending State Cup holders Hapoel, Haifa last week by the score of 1:0 at Sammy Ofer Stadium.

The draw that took place at Ramat Gan Stadium featured 11 Israel Premier League clubs, Hapoel Beer Sheva, Maccbi Haifa, Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel Hadera, Maccabi Netanya, Maccabi Petah Tikva, Bnei Sakhnin, Ashdod and Kiryat Shemona. Five Leumit League sides were in the draw including, Hapoel Acre, Nazereth Elite, Afula, Hakoach Amidar and Kfar-Kassem plus the winner of tonight’s match between Hapoel Katamon and Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Maccabi Tel Aviv defender Maor Kandil looked back at his side’s 2:1 dramatic victory over Beitar Jerusalem in the 8th Round of the Israel State Cup:

“Thee was pressure and we knew that we could decide the match before overtime as the professional staff has us all in great shape and they prepared us well. I’m happy we were able to.”

Gaining more and more confidence:
“We know how to handle the pressure and we have a good team. We can go into any stadium across the country and give it our all. We are going through a good period of time, but we have to continue that way and gain more and more confidence both in the league and the State Cup.”

Challenging for all the titles:
“Maccabi Tel Aviv is a club that wants to challenge for all of the titles and I hope that we will do exactly that.”

Integrating into the club:
“I was able to integrate into the team a lot faster than I had thought. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and there is a gear atmosphere in our dressing room. I hope that this will continue.”

Importance of the fans:
“The fans support us at every match and we very much appreciate it and are able to give back to them on the pitch. They gave us motivation from minute to minute and I hope that’s how it will continue. We need the fans with us as we have another big match on Tuesday.”

Yonatan Cohen, the Maccabi Tel Aviv striker summed up his squad’s 2:1 win thanks to his 92’ goal as the Yellow & Blue advanced to the Israel State Cup Round of 16:

“I came on late and I am happy that we were able to win the game.”

Great feeling:
“It was a great feeling with a huge crowd in a big match. I am happy that I came on and that I was able to help win the match.”

Working together as a team:
“I don’t have a specific point but it’s everything together, the professional staff, the whole team and we feel that both on and off of the pitch.”

Being Maccabi:
“We of course want to win everything. We are Maccabi Tel Aviv.”

Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach summed up his side’s 2:1 State Cup win over Beitar Jerusalem as they advanced to the Round of 16 thanks to Yonatan Cohen’s late winner:

“Yes it was very sweet win as we won in the last second of the game and it’s important for the team’s psychology. We didn’t start well and how we wanted too. Perhaps the reason is that the pitch wasn’t in a good condition. We tried to play and create but it was difficult. We have our target for the competition and we passed the strongest opponent in this stage.”

About Yonatan Cohen:
“Yonatan Cohen didn’t just do a good job today, but he gives his best every time he plays. I am very happy for him and he is doing well and continues to improve. I am very happy.”

Winning mentality:
“It is important to have a winning mentality and my players went straight to the center circle to play right after the Beitar goal and wanted to win in the 90 minutes. We were lucky to score when we did but we have a strong game and opponent on Tuesday.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s match against Hapoel Beer Sheva:
“It’s a game like every game in the championship; we play for 3 points like every league game.”