Category: News
Piven: “It’s great that the fans appreciate the home grown players”
Shahar Piven, one of a number of Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department products scored his debut goal in Yellow & Blue as Vladimir Ivic’s side defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 4:1 in the Toto Cup semifinal Derby:
“My main goal is to help keep a clean sheet and play well defensively. The goal I scored was just a bonus.”
Winning:
“It’s the first Derby after a year and I had never experienced a Derby before. It was a very exciting match, we played hard and came back from a deficit early on. I’m happy that we won and now we have to continue forward.”
The fans:
“It was very exciting to see the fans cheering us on. A derby has its own rules and it doesn’t matter in what competition, Toto Cup, League, State Cup, it’s always great to win a Derby.”
Fans appreciative of the home grown players:
“All the players performed well and the fans really appreciate the hard work that we put in to this match. The fans appreciate home grown players that have come out of the youth department. I had been on loan for some time but now I made it to this stage and I’m so proud to put on the Maccabi kit.”
Taking advantage of the opportunity to play and battling for a spot:
“I really appreciate the opportunity that I was given from the bottom of my heart. I knew it would take time to get into the squad as we have to fight and battle for a spot. I’m ready to go to war for a place in the Starting XI or the squad itself.”
Working hard:
“You can see how the fans appreciate the younger players and the coach isn’t afraid to give us playing time in the Europa League. I’m sure it will also happen in the league. As long as we work hard we will play.”
Final thoughts:
“We are happy with the result in a game that we played well and which was very emotional. It’s great to win a Derby.”
Cohen: “The atmosphere was amazing thanks to all of our fans”
Yonatan Cohen, the Yellow & Blue striker scored a pair of goals for Maccabi Tel Aviv in their 4:1 Toto Cup semifinal victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv:
“It was great and it was my first match this season. It was fantastic to score and we moved on to the Finals. But we have an even more important match on Thursday in the Europa League Playoff Round.”
Derby atmosphere:
“The atmosphere was awesome and it was thanks to all of our fans that came out tonight. They cheered us on even when we were down 1:0. It was my for derby and there’s nothing like winning a derby.”
Competing for a spot in the squad:
“There’s tremendous competition to get playing time at Maccabi from the Starting XI to the squad. The coach has demands for us and it’s great that I had the chance to start tonight and get an opportunity.”
Playing for Maccabi:
“My dream is to play at Maccabi and fight for every minute. This is where I want to be.”
Ivic: “I’m satisfied with the victory. We must be fully prepared for our next match”
Vladimir Ivic, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach was satisfied with his club’s play in a 4:1 Toto Cup semifinal win as he addressed the media following the match:
“I’m satisfied with the 2nd half. We played a better 45 minutes and finished the second game the way we wanted to. It was a tough and hard game and the opponent had some chances but I’m satisfied with the victory.”
Atmosphere:
“It was a fantastic atmosphere and the Stadium was full as both teams’ fans were just amazing.”
About Yonatan Cohen:
“He worked very hard and is professional. He deserved to play and took his chances and scored. He did his job very well. I have 22-23 players and I want to see all of them. This competition is excellent for this.”
The choice for penalty taker:
“After Shechter went out, Cohen took the ball and he had confidence to take the penalty and I told him to do so.”
Upcoming match at Sarpsborg 08:
“We must be fully prepared and ready for every game. We have to come back to Israel with a good result.”
Live Post Match Press Conference – Vladimir Ivic Following Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Hapoel Tel Aviv Toto Cup Senifinal
100% Maccabi: Yellow & Blue rule Tel Aviv with 4:1 win over Hapoel
Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv met in the Derby for the first time since January 2017 when the Yellow & Blue won 1:0 in the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. This time around, Maccabi again was victorious as Yonatan Cohen scored a brace while Shahar Piven and Chico Ofoedu each scored a lone goal in the 4:1 which helped the club advance to the Toto Cup Finals.
Vladimir Ivic’s side welcomed the Reds for a Toto Cup semifinal clash at the Netanya Stadium and the Head Coach’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Maor Kandil, Jair Amador, Shahar Piven, Captain Sheran Yeini, Avi Rikan, Eyal Golasa, Dan Glazer, Yonatan Cohen, Aaron Schoenfeld and Itay Shechter.
Available on the bench were keeper Haviv Ohayon, Enric Saborit, Omer Atzily, Chico Ofoedu, Dor Micha, Eitan Tibi, Ruslan Barsky.
First Half
The hotly contested match began with each side collecting a yellow card as Raz Shlomo and Piven were booked early on. The Yellow & Blue had a couple of chances in the first quarter hour, however Schoenfeld and Cohen couldn’t find the back of the goal.
In the 25’ Hapoel took a 1:0 lead thanks to Ahmed Abed as he took a Roie Zikri pass and put it behind Rajkovic. Following a water break, Adi Gotlieb picked up a yellow card in the 34’ for the Reds as Maccabi continued to press for an equalizer. And just two minutes later, Cohen did exactly that as he took a stunning free kick from the top of the box and found the back of the goal, 1:1. Arik Janko made the 42’ save off yet another brilliant Cohen free kick as the side’s went into the break deadlocked at 1:1
Second Half
Maccabi looked to take the lead early on, but Glazer’s chance was saved by Janko in the 46’ while Razmi Sfori’s opportunity on the other side of the pitch missed the target. Ten minutes later, Chico Ofoedu entered the contest in favor of Itay Shechter and drew a corner kick that resulted in a goal of the season candidate. The ensuing corner went to Piven who took a volley from 35 meters out that made its way into the back of the Hapoel goal for a 2:1 lead.
Dor Micha came on for Golasa in the 60’ as the Yellow & Blue continued to pressure for an insurance goal which they would find in the 66’ as Ofoedu was pulled down in the box for a penalty that Cohen converted for his second of the contest and a 3:1 advantage. In the 69’ Eitan Tibi was introduced in favor of Amador.
Maccabi continued the flash the offense and scored their 4th marker of the match when Micha and Ofoedu combined on a Yellow & Blue fast break down the pitch as the latter found the back of the goal for his first with the club in the 82’. A minute later Enric Saborit came on for Cohen as the host’s wrapped up a tidy 4:1 win and advanced to the Toto Cup Finals.
Welcome: New staff members at the Youth Academy
The Maccabi Tel Aviv “Avi Cohen” Youth Academy has a number of new staff people for the upcoming season with the goal of continuing to improve the development of the young players.
Eran Sassi – Head Coach Under-16
Sassi began his career with Ironi Bat Yam and spent 7 years as the youth coach, Under-19 coach and assistant coach of the first team in the Leumit League. He also worked with the youth sides at Ironi Modiin, Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa. Sassi spoke about his new role with the Yellow & Blue: “I was very impressed as to how organized the Youth Academy is and the ability to advance within the club. My goals are to learn and to continue to evolve on a personal level as I help the Academy reach their goals.”
Galil Ben Shenan – Goalkeeper Coach Under-17
The new goalkeeper coach joined the Youth Academy and also played as a keeper with a number of clubs including Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Beer Sheva and Ashkelon. After a serious injury three seasons ago, Galil began his new career as a coach and first plied his trade with Ashkelon’s First Team. “I’ve heard so much about Maccabi’s Youth Academy and it’s methodology. When I arrived here I understood that I had never experienced such a level of professionalism. It’s great to work at a place like this with the goal of helping develop a new generation of keepers.”
Tzalil Shoshan – Fitness trainer Under-17
Tzalil returned from Spain and Portugal a year ago where he worked towards a secondary degree in sports science. Over the course of his career, Shoshan worked at the Wingate Institute for excellence with the women’s youth National Basketball Teams while also lecturing and leading other courses. In addition to his work at Maccabi he will be at Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle’s First Team where there are plenty of Yellow & Blue Academy players. “Arriving at Maccabi is a very significant step in my career and I’ll be at the top Academy in the country with the youngsters with the most potential as well as an incredible staff. My goals are to help the Academy reach the highest of heights and to work with the players and turn them into better athletes.”
Tal Volik – Fitness Trainer Under-16
After completing his military service, Tal lived in Munich, Germany where he also coached youth clubs. Last season he worked at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football School and is currently a student at the Wingate Institute as he continues to develop his own skills on the fitness realm. “Last season I volunteered in the fitness department at the Academy in order to learn from the best of the best. The fitness department is part of the sports science department at the Academy with the best foundation in the country. The players at the Academy receive the best tools in order to help turn them into better athletes which will result in them becoming even better footballers. My goal is to learn and continue to gain experience and also help develop youth players as that is my passion.”
Tamir Tubol – Head Coach Under-11
Tamir worked for five years at the Hapoel Tel Aviv Youth Department in various roles including as a Head Coach, assistant coach as well as the football school this past season. “I’m very happy to join the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy which is no doubt the best in the nation. My goal is to continue to learn in each and every training session from the entire staff and to improve and develop as a coach. Of course, I want to also help the youngsters advance and improve on a daily basis.”
Idan Bitton – Head Coach Under-8
Bitton developed as a footballer at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department and played on various teams as well as the First Team for a season when they played in the Champions League (2004/05). Bitton then went on to play for Hakoach Ramat Gan, Ramat Hasharon and Hapoel Ashkelon. “I had just completed my studies at Wingate and then I called Maccabi up immediately just like a child would call a parent after a long vacation. I had an interview a couple of months ago with the Youth Department Manager Guy Zuckerman and from there as the say the rest was history. My expectations are to learn as much as possible from the professional staff and to give over my knowledge to help develop the youngsters with the proper values, honor and a desire for excellence.”
Painting the Derby Yellow & Blue: The Greatest Goals against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Toto Cup
השערים הגדולים מהדרבים בגביע הטוטו
Glazer: “Winning the Toto Cup is one of our goals”
Yellow & Blue midfielder Dan Glazer spoke ahead of Sunday’s Toto Cup Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv at the Netanya Stadium (21:00)
“It will be a very interesting matchup as it’s the first Derby in a year and it’s a very important game for the players, the fans and I hope that we will play well and win.”
Missing the Derby:
“It’s a very important match for the Club and during the week leading up to the match there is also a special feeling at the training sessions. I hope that the crowd will come and give us a positive environment to win the game. We’ve missed the Derby.”
Derbies of the past and present:
“I played Derbies at Wolfson, Kiryat Shalom and Ramle and now it will be Netanya. We said at the beginning of the season that winning the Toto Cup was one of our goals and it’s an important title for us. We want to win and move on to the Final.”
Sean Goldberg sold to Hapoel Haifa
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and Hapoel Haifa reached an agreement for the sale of 23-year-old defender Sean Goldberg.
Goldberg, who is a product of Maccabi’s Youth Department, made 13 competitive appearances for the senior side since making his debut back in 2014. After making a single competitive appearance for Maccabi this season playing the full 90 minutes against Beitar Jerusalem in the Toto Cup, Goldberg, will join Hapoel Haifa on a permanent basis after spending loan periods with Beitar Jerusalem, Bnei Yehuda and Hapoel Tel Aviv. 
Maccabi’s CEO, Ben Mansford, told the club’s official website: “Sean has been a true professional and a pleasure to have at Maccabi since the day he joined the Club’s Youth Department. Sean has progressed to become a proven Premier League performer and with that comes a desire to play regularly. Therefore, Sean and the Club decided now was the right time for him to leave permanently for a new challenge. Everyone at the Club wishes Sean all the very best for the future”.
Goldberg, added: “After 15 years at Maccabi Tel Aviv the club I grew up and was educated at, today I begin a new chapter in my career. I would like to thank Maccabi for all those years and a special thanks to Ben Mansford for the treatment and the assistance. I wish all of us good luck for the future”. 
In August 2014, Goldberg made his senior debut in the Toto Cup against Maccabi Netanya and recorded his league debut against Hapoel Acco in October but after two State Cup appearances later that year, he joined Hapoel Tel Aviv on a six-month loan deal. Goldberg then joined Bnei Yehuda in 2015/16 on loan for two seasons at the end of which he won the State Cup at the end of a penalty shoot-out victory over Maccabi at Teddy stadium. Last season Goldberg made 4 appearances for Maccabi in the Toto Cup before joining Beitar Jerusalem on loan, but despite reaching the State Cup final for the second season in succession, ended the match on the losing side to the club he now joins – Hapoel Haifa.
