Preview

Four days after the 1-1 draw in the Tel Aviv derby Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the MD33 WINNER League match against Maccabi Haifa. After beating Haifa twice last month 3-2 in the State Cup Semi Final at Teddy stadium and 3-1 on MD28 at Sammy Ofer, Maccabi will aim to record a first victory against Haifa this season at Bloomfield. Interim coach Kenny Miller whose side is third in the table with 62 points, will try guide Maccabi back to winning ways. With 12 points still left to play for, a victory could restore Maccabi’s lead from four place Hapoel Tel Aviv back to six points. But at the same time a victory could narrow the gap from second place Beitar to six points, before hosting them at Bloomfield on Saturday.

Miller didn’t make too many changes from the side that played in the derby as Sagiv Jehezkel was named at right back while Tyrese Asante moved across the back to partner Ali Camara as the two central defenders. Roy Revivo who is experiencing an extraordinary season after taking his assist tally to 12 in the league so far, recovered from the back injury which forced him to limp off at halftime against Hapoel. Revivo was back in the side at left back to complete the defensive line in front of goalkeeper Ofek Melika. Issouf Sissokho who completed his two-match touchline ban was also back in the side as the Mali midfielder slotted into the anchorman role behind Maccabi’s two top goalscorers Ido Shahar (12) and Dor Peretz (15). Kervin Andrade made his first start since the 3-2 victory over Ashdod in February, as the Venezuelan winger was named by Miller on the left wing. Emir Sahiti was named on the opposite right flank with Saied Abu Farchi leading the line.

On the bench alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishapti, Miller named Yonas Malede, Kristijan Belic, Elad Madmon, Noam Ben Harosh, Ben Lederman, Helio Varela, Itamar Noy and Itai Ben Hamo.

First half

Maccabi began the match on the front foot with Emir Sahiti and Saied Abu Farchi exchanging passes down the right to create a chance as early as the third minute. Abu Farchi’s backheel flick released Sahiti whose attempt of a cross was collected by Haifa’s keeper Shareef Keouf. A minute later Sahiti fired a left foot shot which sailed wide before Kervin Andrade blasted a low drive from the edge of the area that narrowly missed the target.

In the 14th minute the deadlock was finally broken with a spectacular solo effort by Jehezkel. Andrade’s skill took him past Haifa’s Jelle Bataille before switching sides with a long ball from left to right. Sahiti skipped over the ball letting it run to Jehezkel. The 31-year-old full-back picked the ball near the byline, cut towards the middle and sent a delicate chip which bent away from Keouf and sailed into the top corner. Dor Peretz came close to double Maccabi’s lead as he was put through by Roy Revivo but from a tight angle fired a weak shot which Keouf managed to catch. Ten minutes later Jehezkel turned provider as nothing could deny Peretz from taking his tally to 16 league goals and 19 in all competitions. Asante released Jehezkel who was given the time and space to deliver an accurate cut back for Peretz to sweep home with one touch. Maccabi continued to dominate as two minutes before the half hour mark Revivo fired a shot which crept wide of the far post.

Miller’s men completely outplayed Haifa as the 20-minute blitz saw their lead increased to 3-0 in the 34th minute. Revivo and Andrade exchanged passes down the left before Ido Shahar received the ball and blasted it into the top corner to silence the 3000 visiting fans and send 18,000 Maccabi fans up in the air. Peretz could have doubled his tally in the 40th minute after Asante sent him through on goal, but the attempt of Maccabi’s captain to lift the ball over the advancing Keouf sailed over. Ofek Melika made his first impact on the game in the 42nd minute as he pulled a reflex save to palm away a Trivante Stewart close range header.

Second half

Miller made no changes after the interval, while Ali Mohamad was introduced by Barak Bachar for Peter Agba at the restart. Ali Camara and Revivo were booked by referee Gal Levy for two mistimed tackles. Miller made two changes a minute after the hour mark as Andrade and Saied Abu Farchi both bowed out and were replaced by Helio Varela and Elad Madmon.

Four minutes later Shahar and Jehezkel almost swapped roles as the midfielder tied up the full back for a shot which narrowly missed the top corner. Two minutes later Shahar had an effort from inside the box which kept Keouf rooted to the ground, but the ball rolled wide of the post. A counterattack in the 71st minute tore Haifa apart as Asante carried the ball out of defense and released Sahiti who picked Varela but the Cape Verde winger curled his shot over. Miller made another double change on 75 as Shahar and Sahiti received a standing ovation as they were replaced by Noam Ben Harosh and Kristijan Belic. 

In the 86th minute Revivo was fouled near the corner of the area with the referee awarding a penalty. But VAR intervened, corrected the initial decision and Maccabi received a free kick which Asante headed over. Miller made his fifth and final change as Ben Lederman replaced Issouf Sissokho for the closing stages. The full-time whistle confirmed Maccabi’s third successive victory over Haifa which erased the memory of the 4-1 victory at Sammy Ofer earlier this season.

Roi Mishpati will remain at Maccabi until the end of the 2027/28 season after signing a two-year contract with an option to extend by one more season.

After signing his contract Mishpati said: “I am delighted to continue with the club that has become a home for me. In every match, it excites me to see our fans and feel their amazing support. I would like to thank Mitch and the management for their trust and appreciation. Over the past three years, we won five titles, and our ambition is to win more titles in the future as well.

Mishpati, joined Maccabi in summer of 2023, made 90 appearances in all competitions, and won five trophies: 2 League titles (23/24 and 24/25), 2 Toto Cups (23/24 and 24/25) and a Super Cup (24/25). In three seasons at Maccabi, he appeared in the Europa League group stage twice (24/25 and 25/26) and reached the Conference League Round of 16 (23/24), representing the club in 30 International appearances in the various European competitions.

 

Ben has been a part of senior management during his two spells at Maccabi, between June 2017 and October 2019 and then returning in June 2023. He worked closely with Jack Angelides and Owner Mitch Goldhar helping to manage the club through a variety of challenges, including many successes, difficult periods, and transitions. During his time at Maccabi, the Club achieved championships in the 2018/2019, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons.

Ben’s passion for football is his hallmark and has propelled his contributions in both the Academy and Senior Team. He embraced the Club and truly became part of the Maccabi family.

Maccabi’s Owner Mitch Goldhar, said: “I remember first meeting Ben in 2017. I saw a young ambitious individual with energy and enthusiasm which would lead to his first venture abroad, adapt to a new culture and undertake the targets set for the Club. I am grateful to him and his family for his strong support for the Club, particularly the last few years which at times have been very challenging. Above all Ben is a good person. We wish him well.”

Maccabi CEO Jack Angelides said: “I enjoyed working with Ben throughout his tenure at the Club spending a great deal of time together in which we encountered demanding situations as well as amazing achievements. Ben has done a great job, he has made many friends both within and outside the Club and knows that he will always be welcome.”

Ben Mansford said: “The last three seasons have been an incredible journey and demanding both on and off the pitch. I’m extremely proud to have been part of a remarkable group of staff, players, and partners who, among many achievements, delivered the club’s 25th Championship and fifth star, while continuing to represent Maccabi in Europe and standing by our community through the most challenging of times.Now feels like the right time to take a step back.

I’d like to thank the fans for their support during both periods at the Club. My special thanks go to Jack for his constant counsel and guidance throughout.

Finally, my biggest thank you goes to Mitch for giving me the opportunity to become a true Maccabist, and for all the memories this journey has allowed Beth, Noa, Etta, and me to create.

Yalla Maccabi!”

Ofek Melika left the Tel Aviv disappointed as his penalty save in the first half wasn’t enough to earn his side three points. Roy Korine’s late equalizer denied Maccabi a victory in the Tel Aviv to ensure the points are shared.

The 21-year-old keeper had an excellent performance in goal which included a first half penalty save from Stav Turiel, said after the match: “We are definitely coming away frustrated, but we have another important match on Wednesday. We will get back to Kiryat Shalom, prepare ourselves again, and get our bodies ready.”

On the performance in the derby, Melika added: “First of all, playing away like this with Hapoel’s fans isn’t easy, but I think we fought and gave everything until the very last second. Maybe our level was a bit below par today, but I think we fought until the end, and it’s a shame we couldn’t hold on for those final three minutes.”

Melika, who saved a crucial penalty when both sides met in the Cup earlier this season, and saved another penalty from Omer Atzili against Beitar Jerusalem, said on keeping out Turiel’s spot kick: “We simply did the work and the preparation like we do for every game and every penalty taker. I got a tip from home, and I’m happy I managed to save it.”

Ahead of Wednesday’s home match against Maccabi Haifa, that inflicted Beitar a 3-0 defeat, Melika said: “We’ll get back to Kiryat Shalom tomorrow, do the recovery treatments, another light session, have a good week of training, come in with a positive approach and good spirit, and arrive at the game properly prepared”.

Preview

Four days after their emphatic 4-0 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva, Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium for the WINNER League MD32 local derby against arch city rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv. Six points separate the two sides in the table as Maccabi are third with 61 points while Hapoel are fourth with 55. After the first derby of the season on MD7 was abandoned and Maccabi were awarded a 3-0 victory by default, the second meeting was in the State Cup round of 16 which ended 1-1 before Maccabi advanced on penalties. Hapoel won the MD20 league fixture 2-1 to end Maccabi’s 12-year-long unbeaten run before Dor Peretz earned Maccabi a 1-0 victory at the start of the Playoffs.

Kenny Miller, who was appointed interim Head Coach following the departure of Ronny Deila, is far from short of experience in derbies as the 46-year-old Scotsman featured and scored for both Rangers and Celtic in the Old Firm.

Miller, kept an almost unchanged team to the side that beat Peta Tikva in midweek except for Elad Madmon who replaced Saied Abu Farchi upfront.

Ofek Melika started in goal behind a defense that was unchanged as Ali Camara and Raz Shlomo lined up at the heart of defense and Tyrese Asante and Roy Revivo as the full backs. With Issouf Sissokho serving his second suspension, Itamar Noy, Ido Shahar and Dor Peretz were Maccabi’s midfield trio. On the wings, Miller kept Helio Varela and Emir Sahiti with Madmon leading the side.

On the bench, Miller named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Heitor dos Santos, Kervin Andrade, Sagiv Jehezkel, Kristijan Belic, Noam Ben Harosh, Ben Lederman, Saied Abu Farchi, and Itai Ben Hamo.

First Half

Pyrotechnics display from both ends of the stadium caused a delay to kick-off as the match eventually got underway seven minutes later than originally scheduled. Hapoel had the ball in the back of the net as a Maccabi lost possession inside their half before Loizos Loizou charged forward and released Emmanuel Boateng who went down after a tackle by Tyrese Asante. Stav Turiel latched on the loose ball, rounded Ofek Melika, and blasted home. But Hapoel’s celebrations were short-lived as referee Snir Levy spotted an Asante foul on Boateng before and awarded a penalty. Turiel stepped up to take the spot kick, but Melika dived to his right and pulled a stunning save before making another save to deny Doron Leidner’s rebound and keep his goal locked. In the 14th minute Asante lost possession near the corner of the area and Itamar Noy gave a foul which Turiel crossed to the back post. Fernand Mayembo rose above Maccabi’s defense but guided his header over Melika’s goal.

In the 25th minute the deadlock was finally broken as Roy Revivo received the ball inside Maccabi’s half on the left, skipped past a challenge, and cut towards the center circle. The 22-year-old left back who already had 11 assists to his name, carved Hapoel’s defense with a pinpoint perfectly weighed pass into the path of Dor Peretz. Maccabi’s captain controlled the pass before drilling in an accurate shot which beat Assaf Tzur to take his tally to 15 league goals. Ido Shahar was cautioned by the referee for dissent and Asante joined him shortly after as the Dutch defender was booked for a clumsy tackle on 41.

Second half

Kenny Miller was forced to make a double change at the restart as Revivo who suffered a back injury was replaced by Sagiv Jehezkel at left back. Shahar who carried a booking was replaced by Kristijan Belic in midfield. Four minutes into the second half Hapoel came close as Loizou was left unmarked at the far post, but Melika pulled a fingertip save to keep out the header of the diminutive Cypriot.

Hapoel looked dangerous as Turiel blasted a left foot drive which cleared the crossbar on 54. Loizou also tried his luck from outside the box two minutes later, but Melika collected. A minute before the hour mark, Miller made another double change as Emir Sahiti bowed out and was replaced by Kervin Andrade while Saied Abu Farchi came on for Elad Madmon.

Hapoel were back on level terms in the 87th minute as substitute Roy Korine received the ball outside the box before curling a left foot shot beyond Melika’s reach to make it 1-1. Miller made his fifth and final change as Heitor dos Santos came on for Raz Shlomo in the 90th minute before the fourth official raised his sign for 5 minutes of additional time. Mor Buskila rifled a shot from inside the box, but Melika managed to punch out for a corner that was cleared. The full-time whistle ended the contest and as the points were shared tension was high with both sets of players exchanging some greetings on the way to the dressing rooms.