Maccabi Tel Aviv will welcome Pyunik for the second leg of third round Europa League qualifying on Thursday August 16th (20:30) at the Netanya Stadium and tickets are on sale as of Wednesday at 15:00.

Season ticket holders will enjoy a discounted tickets at their seat location that is indicated on their Season Ticket Card until Sunday August 12th at 19:00 after which the seat location and discounted price will not be available.

Ticket sales for the General Public will begin on Sunday and tickets will be only available in sections 101-103. Additional seats will become available after the season ticket holder advanced purchase period ends.

Please note:

• Each season ticket may purchase one ticket per seat that are part of their season ticket package.
• Tickets for this match will not be placed on the season ticket card. Entrance will be via printed tickets only.
• We recommend choosing the Print at Home option to avoid long lines at the box office on Matchday.

Tickets are on sale via the Leaan Ticket Office located at 42 Frishman Street, Tel Aviv, telephone *8780 and via the Leaan Website.

We recommend that ticket purchases be made via 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.

Ticket Prices

Season Ticket Holders Price

Leaan Ticket Office
Upper East 45 NIS
Lower East 50 NIS
West 55 NIS
E+ 70 NIS
Silver 100 NIS

Leaan Website/Telephone
Upper East 50 NIS
Lower East 55 NIS
West 60 NIS
E+ 75 NIS
Silver 105 NIS

General Public Price
Leaan Ticket Office
Upper East 60 NIS
Lower East 65 NIS
West 70 NIS
E+ 125 NIS
Silver 250 NIS

Leaan Website/Telephone
Upper East 65 NIS
Lower East 70 NIS
West 75 NIS
E+ 130 NIS
Silver 255 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 morning after a 0:0 draw against Pyunik in the first leg of third round Europa League qualifying, Maccabi Tel Aviv held a morning training session in preparation for the decisive return leg at the Netanya Stadium next Thursday August 16th at 20:30.

Also on the Website:
Tickets are on sale now for the return leg at the Netanya Stadium
Watch the Highlights of the 1st Leg against Pyunik
Glazer: “When our fans fill the Netanya Stadium we’ll get the needed result”

Due to the fact that the Yellow & Blue will only make their way back to Israel later on Wednesday, Vladimir Ivic’s squad held a training session in Armenia with players who appeared for less than 60 minutes tasing part in a full session at the Pyunik training facility.

Following the session, Ruslan Barsky summed up yesterday’s contest while looking ahead to the return leg:

“It wasn’t an easy match against a strong and difficult opponent. We aren’t satisfied with our play and we’re disappointed for not taking advantage of our opportunities. Although we didn’t find the back of the goal, we are happy that the decisive match will be at the Netanya Stadium in front of our fans with home crowd support.”

Goals ahead:
“I really wanted to score and I think that if we did score the match reviews would be different if it’s me, Aaron Schoenfeld or other players. But like I said, we’re very happy that the return leg is in Netanya and together with our fans our goal is to advance to the next round.”

Personal development:
“I’m really improving from training session to training session and from match to match as I want to maintain the quality of my play. I’m content so far, but it’s just the beginning of the season and there is still plenty of hard work that needs to be put in as it’s a long way to go.”

This morning’s training session:
“It was a very high level training session and we really need it to be that way as it’s important for the whole squad to continue to improve.”

The decisive match for a ticket to the Playoff Round of the Europa League between Maccabi and Pyunik will take place in Israel on Thursday August 16th following a 0:0 draw in Armenia. For Dan Glazer, this was a career milestone as he made his European debit for the Club.

Also on the Website:
Maccabi & Pyunik draw 0:0 – The decisive return leg will be in Israel next week
Meet the Players at the next Community Day
How did Ivic sum up the goalless draw against Pyunik?

“This was a dream come true for me,” summed up Glazer. “I have been at the Club since the age of six and I always dreamed about playing for the team. Playing in Europe was an amazing experience and I hope that we will be able to get a good result in the second half which will take place in Israel.”

About the match that was:
“It wasn’t easy to play in this stadium and they were a good side that played the long ball. It wasn’t a terrible result. I hope that next week, when our fans fill the Netanya Stadium we will do what we need to and get the result that we need.”

Vladimir Ivic, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach addressed the assembled media following the goalless draw against Pyunik in Yerevan, Armenia in the first leg of third round Europa League qualifying:

Also on the Website:
Maccabi and Pyunik Draw 0:0
Meet the Players at the next Community Day

“For me this is not a good result. We came here to win and we came here to score. We didn’t score so it’s not a good result.”

Pyunik’s style of play:
“Before the game we knew that Pyunik would play direct football with a lot of long balls in front and would try to win the second ball to create chances. The beginning of the first and second halves there was confusion in the last line and the middle and they created three good chances. This is the way they play and we have to improve how to deal with the long balls, react better and make sure the second ball is our ball.”

Chances in the second leg:
“It’’s one game, it was 90 minutes and the first game is finished. We have one more game and the chance is 50/50 starting at 0:0. I want to win the game and advance to the next round. This is our target. We will do everything to win this game and get into the next round.”

Targets:
“Our target is to advance to the group stage of the Europa League. But the first target is to defeat Pyunik and we must go game by game. Due to this result we will have to be more aggressive and play better than we did today.”

About the fans:
“It’s important for the home team to have fans that can support them and it’s something nice.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv drew with Pyunik 0:0 in the first leg of Third Round Europa League Qualifying in Yerevan, Armenia as the decisive return leg will tale place next Thursday, August 16 at 20:30 Israel time at the Netanya Stadium.

Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Jair Amador, Enric Saborit, Dan Glazer, Eyal Golasa, Dor Micha (C), Eliran Atar, Omer Atzily and Aaron Schoenfeld.

 

Available on the bench were keeper Haviv Ohayon, Maor Kandil, Ruslan Barsky, Sheran Yeini, Matan Hozez, Vidar Kjartansson, Chico Ofoedu.

First Half
Pyunik had the first couple of chances as Mohamed Konate’s header off Denis Voyanov’s precise cross missed the goal to the left while their second opportunity in the 5’ was caught by Rajkovic. Two minutes later, Golasa found Atar near the top of the box but the striker’s 18 meter attempt went wide right of the goal.

Atzily’s 14’ chance skied over the bar while two minutes later Glazer was issued a yellow card for a reckless foul in the midfield. Alik Arakelyan’s 19’ opportunity went wide right of the Maccabi goal as Atzily’s 26’ attempt also missed the target as the match remained goalless.

In the 28’ Atzily stole the ball and sent it to Schoenfeld who in turn passed it to Atar but his shot was blocked by the Pyunik keeper Andrija Dragojević and Saborit’s rebound chance went out. Schoenfeld almost put Maccabi on the board when he was the recipient of a smart Atzily cross from the left of the box, but the former’s header hit the bar in the 37’. Five minutes later, Pyunik made their first substitution as Albert Bogatyrev came on for Vahagn Hayrapetyan as the half ended deadlock at 0:0.

Second Half
Maxym Trusevich received a yellow card in the 48’ and there minutes later Saborit left Atar a nice ball but his attempt went off a defender and out for a corner. Amador was issued a yellow card with a reckless foul just outside of the box good for a free kick in the 56’ but the ensuing shot went off a Maccabi defender as Pyunik continued to pressure the Yellow & Blue.

Ivic made his first substitute as Ruslan Barsky entered the match for Golasa in the 60’ and six minutes later Ruslan Koryan came on for Mohamed Konate for Pyunik. In the 67’ Chico Ofoedu was introduced for Atar and Pyunik made their third substitution as Sergei Kolychev came on for Serob Grigoryan a minute later.

Glazer’s 74’ long distance attempt was tipped over the bar by the Pyunik keeper and three minutes later Ofoedu sent Barsky a brilliant pass in the box but his attempt goes over the bar. in the 83’ Atzily had a great chance to give Maccabi an away goal but his header went out while Ivic madd his last substitute inserting Vidar Kjartansson for Schoenfeld. However, the match ended after three minutes of injury time goalless as the decisive return leg will take place next Thursday, August 16th at 20:30 Israel time at the Netanya Stadium.

The third round of Europa League qualifying is here and Maccabi Tel Aviv will visit Pyunik in Yerevan, Armenia this evening, Tuesday (19:00 Israel time) in first leg action at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium for a ticket to the Playoff Round.

Also on the Website:
Ivic: “Our target is to win”
Schoenfeld: “Pyunik is a good side and we know it will be a challenge”
Know your Opponent: FC Pyunik

Maccabi held their final training session last night at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium which will be filled to capacity with over 14,000 fans who will supporting the first ever Armenian club to have advanced to the third round of the competition.

Along with the home support the weather will be unseasonably warm and reports indicate that it will be 28 degrees celsius at the start of the match.

Maccabi is expecting to face a strong and aggressive opponent while the Yellow & Blue will have Omer Atzily back after a suspension. “This won’t be a simple tie and they didn’t get to this stage by chance,” the winger said. “We have to play tough and do what we need to. I missed taking part in the last match but I’m happy to be here.”

“Pyunik is a strong team with a group of players who work hard during the game, said Head Coach Vladimir Ivic. “They also fight for every ball and play at a good level. There are a lot of players with quality on their squad and we are prepared for this.”

Striker Aaron Schoenfeld added, “Our goal as a team is to advance to the group stages of the Europa League. But Pyunik is a good side and we know that if will be a challenge.”

Yesterday the Playoff Round Draw took place and it was determined that Maccabi would play the winner of Sarpsborg from Norway and Croatian outfit HNK Rijeka should they advance.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Pyunik of Armenia in the third round of Europa League qualifying as the first leg will take place on Tuesday August 7th (19:00 Israel time) in the capital city of Yerevan at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.

This will be the first time the Yellow & Blue will be playing against an opponent from Armenia and the second two legged tie in a row that Maccabi fans will be introduced to a rival from a new country. To help us break down what Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s side will be up against, we spoke with Karen Rafayelyan, the editor of Vivaro News and @ArmeniaSoccer on Twitter.

FC Pyunik was founded in 1992 and began play in the Armenian Premier League that same season by the name of Homenetmen Yerevan until 1995 when they received their new moniker which means “Phoenix” in Armenian. Having won 14 League titles, 8 Armenian Cups and 9 Super Cups, Pyunik is the most decorated club in the country.

This season under new Head Coach Andrey Talalayev, the Club has put together a brand new team explained Rafayelyan, “Mohamed Konaté from the Ivory Coast will be relied on to score and already has two goals in Europa League qualifying. Together with Ruslan Koryan, an Armenian International Pyunik are strong on the attack. Petros Avetisyan who is a very important, young and creative player will miss the first leg due to suspension.”

Having won three of four qualifying matches and not conceding a goal at home thus far shows a very organized team Soccer Armenia commented, “The team’s style has been in flux with the appointment of a new manager, but they have been playing really well in a more compact defensive formation with quick counters.” Rafayelyan added, “Pyunik wasn’t the favorite in each of the four matches and they played a defensive style, waiting patiently for their chances which is exactly what happened.”

“The man on the sidelines is Russian Head Coach Andrey Talalayev who has a very strong personality,” commented Rafayelyan. “He is also good tactician as these 4 games have shown, defeating opponents who have better players than Pyunik. He is very excited with this project.” Talalayev was successful in Russia said Soccer Armenia, “He coached Tambov of the Russian First Division from 2016-2018 and did very well for a team with a small budget, almost earning promotion last year.”

Despite playing 19 years in European competition qualifying, this season marks the furthest Pyunik has ever gone and the supporters have acknowledged the squad’s efforts as Armenia Soccer told us, “The fans have been really energetic this year. Almost 15,000 attended Pyunik’s second leg against Tobol. Usually most Armenian league and European matches fail to draw more than 2,000-3,000 spectators. However, this time around, the fans have been really organized and the atmosphere in the stadium was spectacular.”

Rafayelyan echoed the sentiments, “Armenian clubs struggle at the gate, especially teams from Yerevan. The fans that do come are generally football lovers and will support any Armenian club that plays against a foreign team. But there have been a lot of people in stadium, and I’m sure that there will be more than 10,000 for the upcoming tie which is an impressive number for Armenian football.”

Although Pyunik doesn’t have a rich history in continental football, Armenia Soccer understands that the Yerevan based club certainly will be a fine foe for Maccabi, “I’m looking forward to the tie. Generally, the consensus is that Pyunik are strong underdogs and will need everything to go their way to advance. Armenian fans understand that Maccabi has great European pedigree, so the hope is that the players will show their best effort and hopefully do enough to advance.” Rafayelyan has mixed feelings, “I believe that Pyunik’s European adventure is over. But I am sure that they will put up a good fight and be competitive over the two-legged tie.”

Pyunik Fast Facts:

• Armenian star Henrikh Mkhitaryan who currently plays for Arsenal and featured with Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donetsk in the past, grew up through the ranks of the Pyunik youth system and played 70 matches for the senior squad, scoring 30 goals.
• The Armenian League may have only been founded in 1992, but football has been played in the country since 1936 as a regional tournament within the Former Soviet Union.
• Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium was opened in 1935 and has been renovated three times, most recently in 2008 by an Israeli company.
• Pyunik and Maccabi have faced a number of common foes throughout the years in European qualifying including HJK Helsinki, Dynamo Kyiv, Zalgiris Vilnius, Viktoria Plzen and two recent Yellow & Blue opponents from just last season, KR Reykjavík and Astana.