Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Beitar Jerusalem 2:1 as late substitute Yonatan Cohen scored in the 93’ to send the Yellow & Blue into the Round of 16 of the Israel State Cup. After a goalless first half, Eliran Atar gave Maccabi a 1:0 lead in the 67’, however, Gaëtan Varenne drew Beitar even in the 82’. Head Coach Vladimir brought on Cohen in the 87’ and what a substitute it would be as the striker scored the winner in the 92’ thanks to a Saborit pass from the left side to move in to the next round of the competition.

Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI featured keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Maor Kandil, Sheran Yeini, Shahar Piven, Enric Saborit, Dor Peretz, Ruslan Barsky, Avi Rikan, Omer Atzili, Eliran Atar and Itay Shechter.

Bench: Haviv Ohayon, Jair Amador, Dan Glezer, Chico Ofoedu, Dor Micha, Yonatan Cohen, Aron Schoenfeld.

First Half
It took 14 minutes for the first chance of the contest when Yeini’s header was cleared by keeper Itamar Nitzan, while two minutes later Atar’s 16 meter scorcher went over the bar.

In the 31’ Rajikovic was issued a yellow card and Beitar was given a penalty kick when the Maccabi shot stopper pulled down Jakub Sylvestr in the box but Or Inbrum’s spot kick was caught by Rajikovic to keep the match goalless.

Nitzan was again active when he made a fantastic save on the line from 4’ meters out off a Saborit attempt and in the 40’ Ohayon was handed a red card on the bench as the half ended 0:0.

Second Half
Peretz’s 46’ attempt went over the bar and 9 minutes later Dan Einbinder sent a ball into the box but Idan Vered’s chance went out. Miki Siroshtein’s 59’ chance was saved by Rajkovic and 3 minutes later Ivic made his first substitute inserting Dor Micha for Rikan. Inbrum and Vered then each had an opportunity in the 64’ and 65’ to no avail.

Maccabi finally broke the deadlock in the 67’ when Micha sent a beautiful through ball to Kandil on the right side who crossed it into the box to an oncoming Atar who tapped it home for a 1:0 lead. The Yellow & Blue almost found an insurance marker in the 71’ but Nitzan made an unbelievable save on a Shechter header.

Eran Levy’s 25 meter attempt just went by the right post in the 78’ however, Maor Bozaglo’s cross from the right side found an oncoming Gaëtan Varenne who put the ball into the goal to draw even 1:1 in the 82’. Buzaglo tried to head the ball home on the 86’ but Rajkovic made the save and a minute later Atar came off in favor of Yonatan Cohen.

And what a substitute it would be! In the 92’ Saborit fed Cohen a gorgeous ball from the left side that the striker put home for the 2:1 win as the Yellow & Blue advanced to the State Cup Round of 16.

The match against Beitar will open Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 82nd State Cup campaign. Over the years, Maccabi has played in 36 finals and lifted the Cup 23 times – more than any other club.

Maccabi has played 84 different teams in the State Cup competition. The most frequent opponent has been Maccabi Petah Tikva – 23 matches.

In terms of the first round, Maccabi has played 24 teams from the top division, and 57 clubs from lower leagues. The most frequent opponent – Hakoach Ramat Gan and Hapoel Jerusalem 4 times each.
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Maccabi has only played Beitar Jerusalem once in the first round (2002/03). It ended in a 5:3 goalfest at Bloomfield Stadium.

The Yellow & Blue’s record against Beitar Jerusalem: 6 wins, 5 losses.

Only once has Maccabi begun their State Cup journey at Teddy Stadium (2011/12). The match ended in a 1:0 defeat to Hapoel Jerusalem.

Maccabi played only one first round Cup match that went to penalties (2001/02) – 1:1 draw against Tzafririm Holon which the Yellow & Blue won 6:5 via spot kicks. The Yellow & Blue then went on to win the Cup.

The biggest win in the State Cup was a 10:0 victory in the first round of the 1937 edition of the tournament against Maccabi Bar Kokhva Jerusalem.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv all-time goal scoring leader in the State Cup is Benny Tabak with 31 goals.

Tabak’s first State Cup goal was in the first round in 1973 in a 2:0 win over Hapoel Ramat Gan.

Miko Belo is the all-time appearance leader playing in 75 Maccabi State Cup matches.
Jerry Beit Halachmi won the most Cups as Head Coach of the Yellow & Blue – 4 (1954, 1955, 1964, 1965)

Coaches Israel Halivner (1967,1970) and Nir Levin (2001,2002) each took home two Cups a piece.

Most fans in attendance: The match with the most fans (not including the National Team) took place at the 1976 State Cup final between Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv where 55K fans filled the stadium!

Chapter 1

1995/96: Beitar Jerusalem 0:1 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Avi Nimni enjoyed playing against Beitar Jerusalem especially during the Double Season. Many remember his goal in the championship match against the Jerusalemites but #8 had done that beforehand in the State Cup Quarterfinal at Teddy Stadium. Others might also remember Itzik Zohar’s massive miss, one that perhaps may have been the biggest of his career.

Chapter 2

2002/03: Maccabi Tel Aviv 5:3 Beitar Jerusalem
The last time that the two sides faced each other in the 8th Round ended up being a goalfest. Before Amir Turgeman became a Head Coach he was a big time goal scorer and he scored a hat trick in the contest. Itzik Zohar bagged a brace for Jerusalem while Andrezj Kubrick scored a lone marker as well for the capital city squad. Do you miss Andreas Prohonenkovs and Bruno Reis? They also starred that night at Bloomfield Stadium.

Chapter 3

2009/10: Beitar Jerusalem 1:1 Maccabi Tel Aviv (9:8 on penalties)
This matchup didn’t have a terrific end for Yellow & Blue fans but it certainly had a great penalty shootout. Emanuel Mayoka gave Maccabi the lead, Aviram Bruchian drew Jerusalem even in a match that wasn’t decided in 120 minutes. Keeper Liran Strauber then stepped up to take a spot kick against Ariel Harush.

Chapter 4

2012/13: Maccabi Tel Aviv 0:2 Beitar Jerusalem
Here’s a match that should be looked at as warning for this season’s squad that began the season so well. Why just ask? In February 2013, Oscar Garcia’s side came into the State Cup clash with Jerusalem after defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv 4:0 in the Derby and took down Bnei Yehuda 3:2 in what was Jodi Cruyff’s first of three championships. But just 9 days after Moshiko Lugassi’s scorcher, the Yellow & Blue hosted the Jerusalemites at Bloomfield Stadium and when everything looked nice and rosy, everyone was reminded that football is a game with its own rules.

Chapter 5

2017/18: Beitar Jerusalem 1:2 Maccabi Tel Aviv
To end off well let’s look back to the last time the two club’s played each other in the State Cup. It was the Semifinals at Sammy Ofer Stadium and Aron Schoenfeld provided the excitement while Dor Micha added a goal. However, Hen Ezra’s strike caused a bit of nervousness before the final whistle sounded.

Sheran Yeini, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Captain looked ahead to his squad’s upcoming State Cup match at Beitar Jerusalem on Saturday night 21:00:

“This isn’t an easy draw for both teams and it will be a tough match for both sides as we all want to win.”

Focussing on our own play:
“We are focussing on our play and we are preparing accordingly for the rival at hand.”

Knockout competition:
“This is a brand new league for this season and a knock out match which isn’t at all connected to the other competitions. We want to of course win all of our league games but it’s a league. In the State Cup if you don’t win you home, so there is added excitement and you must be extra prepared.”

Containing excitement:
“Every team reacts differently in different competitions. We are making sure that we can contain our excitement and play the way we need to in order to win.”

Being a team on and off of the pitch:
“It’s a good feeling to win all of these league games but we are a great group off of the pitch also. Last season we battled for the title and although we didn’t win it, we were very close as a team. We are a very good group this season as well both the newer players and the veterans and it’s important to be a team on and off of the pitch.”

On the talk about Maccabi in a “different league” than the rest of the clubs:
“We don’t listen to what is going on outside of what we are doing as footballers. We are focusing on our play and the atmosphere in our dressing room is professional and positive in all aspects.”

Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach addressed the assembled media ahead of the Club’s 8th Round State Cup clash at Beitar Jerusalem on Saturday night December 22 at 21:00:

“It’s a tough game against a strong opponent in the first game of this competition. Our target is to win the game and make sure we are we prepared. We have to be at our best to get a good result and advance to the next stage.”

Are Maccabi favorites against Beitar?
“I don’t know if we are favorites as this is the start of a different competition. We are playing in a hot stadium with a lot of fans. I hope that we will have a strong showing from our supporters. We need to give 100% to achieve the victory and advance to the next stage.”

Keeping the team level headed:
“We do our job, myself and the other coaches. We know that every game for Maccabi is important and we go game by game. Many players have been with the club for many years. We don’t want to make an excuse after the game and we must fight from the first to the last second of the game. We don’t know what may happen during the game but that’s how we operate; game by game. We respect Beitar and we believe in ourselves and want to win the game.”

Injury issues:
“Some players will return after some small problems. Everything is under control and haven’t had any new issues over the last few days.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv host Hapoel Beer Sheva on December 25 (21:00) Matchday 15 of the Israel Premier League action. Tickets go on sale at 19:00 Tuesday night December 18 via the Leaan Website and should tickets remain they will be in sale at the Leaan Ticket Office and via Telephone *8780.

Please note: There are a limited amount of tickets available.

You may purchase tickets on the Leaan Website by using the User ID and password. If you do know one or both of those details please send an email to support@leaan.co.il.

Home printing is available
Ticket sales are for Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters only. Supporters from the opposing team who enter the Maccabi Tel Aviv fan stands will be ejected from stadium and the ticket price will not be refunded.

Ticket Prices
Leaan Ticket Office
Youth/Soldier/Women – (Sections 109, 208-209 only) – 50 NIS
Lower East Stand – 110 NIS
West Stand (Sections 108-109, 208-209) – 100 NIS
Upper West Stand (Sections 204-207) – 110 NIS
E+ – 300 NIS
Silver Section – 500 NIS

Phone/Leaan Website
Youth/Soldier/Women – (Sections 109, 208-209 only) – 55 NIS
Lower East Stand – 115 NIS
West Stand (Sections 108-109, 208-209) – 105 NIS
Upper West Stand (Sections 204-207) – 115 NIS
E+ – 305 NIS
Silver Section – 505 NIS

Ticket Collection
Tickets may be collected at the Leaan Ticket Office located at 42 Frishman Street, Tel Aviv 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 until 45 minutes after the start of the match.

The victory over Maccabi Haifa was the 5th out of the last 8 matches at Sammy Ofer. The other three contests ended in draws.

The Yellow & Blue also extended their away winning streak against the Greens to 11. The last defeat came in 2012/13 when Maccabi lost 1:0.

It was the 6th time that Maccabi scored three goals into the Haifa goal since 2013/14.

Eliran Atar made some history last night entering the Maccabi Tel Aviv All-time Top 10 goalscorers with his brace.

Atar passed Rachmim Talbi with his 67th league goal and tied Vicky Peretz who as of yesterday was in 9th place. With three goals, #16 will match Itzik Zohar who is in 8th.

The two goals moved Atar into first place for Maccabi league goal scorers with 7. He’s just one goal away from the league leader Yarden Shua. Atar has 13 goals across all competitions.

Atar’s second goal was a header. Up until yesterday, his last goal via a header came in the 4:0 Derby win over Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2012/13.

Omer Atzili is in second place with 5 goals and Dor Peretz moved into 3rd place with his 4th of the season. In fact, Peretz scored last round against Haifa as well.

Peretz’s marked improvement in this category is fantastic as last season he scored only one goal as well as one during the 2015/16 campaign.

Maor Kandil added his first assist yesterday.

Dor Micha also recorded an assist for his 6th of the season and is second overall in this category with Valon Ahmedi of Kiryat Shemona holding the league lead with 8.

Chico Ofoedu was the fastest player on Maccabi clocking in at 32.6kph.

Maccabi players covered 110.3km compared to 109km by Haifa.

Omer Atzili ran the most against the Greens going 11.1km.