Category: News

Maccabi “Shachar” begins Youth Champions League

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Maccabi “Shachar Tel Aviv, the Israel Youth Premier League Champions headed to Russia to play Anzhi Makhachkala in the Youth Champions League. Tomorrow, Wednesday, the match will begin at 17:30 Israel time will be the first leg of a two legged knockout round tie in UEFA Champions League Domestic Champions Path knockout stage action. Today the squad held their final training session ahead of the contest. Should the young Yellow & Blue advance two stages they will appear in the Playoff Stage where the Domestic Champions Path and Group Stage Path will meet.

Head Coach Guy Tzarfati spoke about the upcoming tie:
“I am very excited and proud. To be able to play in a European competition like the Champions League is an amazing accomplishment and achievement.”

Preparations for the competition:
“We prepared as we usually do ahead of this match. We look at the team that we are facing and give the players the correct tools as we do before any match.”

Expectations for the match:
“We want to go as far as possible in the competition and therefore are preparing for each match one by one just as we are doing for the contest in Russia. I’m happy that the players will have this type of experience and I hope that it will be a positive one.”


Domestic Champions path guide
This path involves the domestic youth champions of the 32 best-ranked associations in the 2017 UEFA association coefficient rankings (the same rankings used to decide access to the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League).
Vacancies in the domestic champions path (because a club is instead eligible for the UEFA Champions League path, for example Atlético and Inter) are filled by the domestic youth champion of the next best-ranked association (in the above cases, Moldova and Iceland).
Chelsea, who won this competition in 2014/15 and 2015/16 but lost last season’s final to Barcelona, enter this path.
Two-time semi-finalists Anderlecht keep up their record of entering all six editions.
Debuts: AEL Limassol, Anji, Bohemians, FC Admira, Hamilton Academical, Hertha Berlin, Illés Akadémia, Lech Poznań, KR, Montpellier, Septemvri Sofia, Signa Olomouc, Žilina.

Road to Nyon
Play-offs
In the draw on 17 December, the eight Domestic Champions path survivors will be drawn at home to the eight UEFA Champions League path runners-up in one-off ties to be played on 12/13 February to decide the eight remaining round of 16 berths. The other eight places are taken by the UEFA Champions League path group winners.
Dates
Play-off draw: 17 December
Play-offs: 19/20 February
Knockout draw (round of 16 onwards): 22 February
Round of 16: 12/13 February
Quarter-finals: 2/3 April
Semi-final: 26 April, Nyon
Final: 29 April, Nyon

Beitar, Hadera and the U19’s in Europe. A busy month ahead

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October 3, 2018: The Under-19 team begins their UEFA Champions League campaign
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, the Israel Youth League Champions will face Russian side FC Anzhi Makhachkala (17:30) in the first leg of a two legged tie in UEFA Champions League Domestic Champions Path knockout stage action. Should the young Yellow & Blue advance two stages they will appear in the Playoff Stage where the Domestic Champions Path and Group Stage Path will meet.

October 7, 2018: Matchday 6 Beitar Jerusalem – Maccabi Tel Aviv, 21:00 Teddy Stadium
Just ahead of the international break, Maccabi will head to Jerusalem for an always exciting match. The two sides have already met this season in the Toto Cup as the Yellow & Blue won 1:0 thanks to an Aaron Schoenfeld goal.

October 20, 2018: Matchday 7 Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Hadera, 17:00 Netanya Stadium
Right after the break, Vladimir Ivic’s squad will face a top of the table battle when they welcome the surprise package of the Israel Premier League Ligat Japanika, newly promoted Hapoel Hadera who currently sit in first place, 2 points ahead of Maccabi.
October 24, 2018: Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – FC Anzhi Makhachkala, 17:00 Ramle (2nd leg)

October 28, 2018: Matchday 8 Hapoel Haifa – Maccabi Tel Aviv, 20:30 Sammy Ofer Stadium
Maccabi will close out the month with a visit to the Carmel where they will face the defending State Cup Champions Hapoel Haifa.

Shechter: “We will continue to work hard to achieve our goals”

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Itay Shechter, the Maccabi Tel Aviv striker summed up the 0:0 draw against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Matchday 5 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Japanika:

“Both side’s were very close in quality today, we were a bit better. The draw reflects the match that was. We have to be more accurate and I had a chance to decide the match but the ball didn’t go in. I hope that I can make it up next game.”

Busy week:
“We really wanted to win and take the 3 points but we will look ahead. In football you need to also know how to keep the score as is and make sure you take home a point. We’re disappointed but we had a long and busy week with 3 very difficult matches. We will continue to work hard to achieve our goals.”

Playing against a former team:
“I’ve played against Hapoel Tel Aviv since I left. I gave it my all for Maccabi in order for us to win but it didn’t happen. I hope that I can help us win the next time we play the Derby.”

Working hard:
“I am just concerned about the Club I am at now, work hard and give my best. We’ll work hard as we head to Jerusalem for a super tough match.”

Next match against Beitar Jerusalem:
“It will be exciting as Beitar is close to my heart. We have time to prepare properly after having a tough week. We’re a bit disappointed but that’s football. We will work hard and come in ready to go.”

Ivic: “We played attacking football but we didn’t score”

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Vladimir Ivic, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach looked back at the 0:0 Derby draw against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Matchday 5 of the Israel Premier League:

“To win the game you need to score. Today we didn’t score and we drew. We played better in the second half and played attacking football but it was a draw. If you don’t score you can’t win the game.”

Problems on the attack:
“Sometimes these things happen. You can’t just rely on 4 players to score. We have to score on set pieces as well. We drew and Hapoel had two chances on a counter attack but I believe we had more chances in the second half and we need to score.”

Surprised with Hapoel’s game plan?
“They played one game against us already this season with similar players and similar tactics. They have a fast player in front and we knew how they played. It wasn’t anything special.”

Celebrating with the Captain: Yeini’s 400th Appearance

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Maccabi and Hapoel play to 0:0 Derby Draw

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Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv played to a goalless draw at the Netanya Stadium on Matchday 5 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Japanika as the side’s split the points. The Yellow & Blue will play at Beitar Jerusalem on Sunday October 7 at 21:00.

Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Eli Dasa, Captain Sheran Yeini, Jair Amador, Enric Saborit, Dan Glazer, Eyal Golasa, Dor Micha, Omer Atzily, Eliran Atar, Itay Shechter.

Available on the bench were keeper Haviv Ohayon, Dor Peretz, Chico Ofoedu, Avi Rikan, Yonatan Cohen, Maor Kandil, Eitan Tibi.

First Half
Hapoel had the contest’s first chance in the 5’ when Omer Damari sent a pass to Idan Cohen but the latter’s attempt went by the post and out. Maccabi had two chances in the 16’ and 17’ minutes respectively, but Shechter’s shot went off a defender and Golasa’s opportunity was caught by the Reds keeper Robi Levkovich.

In the 22’ Atar took a tough angled shot but the ball hit off of the outer netting of the goal and 2 minutes later Amador’s chance off an Atar ball missed the target. Ahmed Abed’s 29’ attempt on Rajkovic’s goal hit a Maccabi defender and changed direction that forced the Yellow & Blue shot stopper to make an alert save.

In the 31’ Atzily fed Shechter a brilliant ball but the latter’s chance just missed the far left post, Damari’s 43’ header was caught by a leaping Rajkovic and Atzily’s 45’ free kick hit a Hapoel defender as the half ended goalless.

Second Half
Glazer and Abed each received yellow cards in the 51’ and 54’ and in the 60’ Ivic made his first substitute of the match when he inserted Chico Ofoedu in favor of Atar to freshen up the attack.

Maccabi had a pair of fantastic chances in the 66’ and 68’ as Chico sent Saborit a beauty of a ball but the left back out it over the bar while Saborit’s header was brilliantly saved by Levkovich. Yonatan Cohen came on for Saborit in the 80’ as Maccabi made their second substitute while 6 minutes later Ivic made his 3rd and final substitute when Avi Rikan was introduced for Micha.

In the 85’ Atzily free kick was saved by the Reds keeper while a minute later Cohen’s corner made its way to Yeini but his attempt hit the outside netting of the goal. Maccabi continued to look for a winner and in the 90’ Yeini again had a chance to score but his opportunity went out as the match ended in a goalless draw.

Yellow & Blue Youth Academy Results September 29, 2018

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Maccabi Petah Tikva 3:3 Maccabi Tel Aviv (U19)
After the dramatic Tel Aviv Derby win last week, the Yellow & Blue drew at Petah Tikva on Matchday 5 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s squad now has 3 wins and 2 draws and are in 2nd place just one point off the table leaders Hapoel Beer Sheva. Rave Assayag, Bar Cohen and Gil Ben Shalosh scored for Maccabi. For the Full Match Report Click Here.

On Wednesday the U19’s will play their first Champions League match at FC Anzhi Makhachkala in the first leg of a two legged tie to advance to the next round.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 2:0 Maccabi Petah Tikva (U17)
The Under-17 side continued their positive momentum with a win over Petah Tikva on Matchday 5. The win opened up a 3 point gap as they improved their first place standing thanks to goals by Tal Torjman and Afek Sapir. Head Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon summed up the win: “We performed well and had the right desire and determination on the pitch as we all have the same goal and that’s how I would sum up the game. One of the most exciting things as a staff is to see how the squad is focussed and determined with the desire to perform well in this specific match. We can all feel the positive results from the hard work that has been put in. We have another important match this week on Tuesday and we know what the goals and expectations are; we want to win every match at every stadium. The staff is very proud and that’s how we want to continue on Tuesday.

Beitar Jerusalem 3:2 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv (U16)
The Under-16 team fell at Jerusalem on Matchday 5. Goals by Yinon Paz and Aviv Peles weren’t enough for the Yellow & Blue to come home with a point. Head Coach Eran Sassi spoke about the match that was: “The game began awkwardly and we gave up a goal after just one minute. We then scored a minute later but gave up another goal soon thereafter. We were the better side and that’s why we were able to tie up the contest in the second half. We had many chance but we couldn’t score and we gave up the winner in injury time off a corner kick after a comedy of errors.”

SC Ironi Ashdod 1:2 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv (U15)
After an opening day win last week, the Under-15 side continued its fine play with an away win thanks to goals by Oral Bahia and Ilai Tomer. Head Coach Ori David summed up the victory: “This was a terrific match by the boys as we had plenty of chances near the goal thanks to the way we play football. The result is a bit misleading as it should have been a bigger win than just 2:0. I’m proud of the squad and are looking forward to our next match on Tuesday.”

The Numbers, Stats and Facts behind the Derby

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To date there have been 151 League Derbies. The Record: 51 Maccabi wins, 54 draws, 46 Hapoel wins. Goal Differential: 174-149 for Maccabi

The last time Hapoel was promoted to the top league (1991/92) the two Derbies that season ended 0:0. This was only the 11th time in history that all of the matches in a season series against the same opponent ended in goalless draws. 

It took Hapoel 11 matches after being promoted to earn a Derby win. The 10 match record between 1990/91-1993/94 was 7 Maccabi wins and 3 draws. During the period, Maccabi won 7 Derbies in a row, their longest in Derby contests between 1991/92-1993/94.

Netanya Stadium will host its second Derby. To date other stadiums which hosted the Derby include: Bloomfield 106, Basa 18, Ramat Gan 16, Maccabiah 9, Moshava 1.

1:0 is the most frequent Derby result – 34 matches (17 for each club) while there have been 25 Goalless Derbies.

There have been 11 comebacks in Derby history: 7 for Maccabi and 4 for Hapoel. 

The latest comeback came in 2013/14 when Eran Zahavi scored in the 89’ and 93’ minutes.

346 players have appeared for Maccabi in League Derbies. 75 have scored a goal.

The All-Time Derby goal scoring leader is Sheya Glazer with 11 goals. Avi Nimni (8), Eli Driks & Eran Zahavi (7) are next.

Three players have scored Hat Tricks including Giora Spiegel 1969/1970, Eli Driks 1992/93, Eran Zahavi 2013/14. 

The youngest Maccabi player in a Derby was Benyamin Rabonovitch, 16.5 years old in 1951/52.

The oldest player in a Derby was Shura Uvarov, 40 years and 3 months old in 1999/00.

There have been 2,294,000 fans who have attended Derby matches throughout the years for an average of 15,200 fans per match.

33 players have appeared for both teams in the Derby. In the 1950’s Yona Fux played for both sides and in the 1980’s there were 3, Gabi Lasri (82/83), Yakov Cohen (84/85) and Micky Ben Shitrit (86/87). The balance of the players were from the 1990’s and onwards.

Three players have scored for both teams in the Derby: Micky Ben Shitrit, Eran Zahavi and winger Tal Ben Chaim.