Category: News
Peretz: “The goal even surprised me”
Dor Peretz, the Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder scored his first goal of the season which was the lone goal in a 1:0 victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday 34 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al:
“It’s not where we wanted to be at the end of the season but we did what we had to do and congratulations to Beer Sheva for winning the title.”
Coming up short:
“We have to believe that we could have done more and we didn’t so what we could have done during the money time.”
His match winning goal:
“The goal even surprised me as up until now I’ve hit the ball into the stands. Finally I scored my first league goal of the season and I’m happy that it was this type of goal.”
Changing momentum being the first team to win at Beer Sheva:
“I don’t know if it can change the momentum but the win took down a psychological barrier. We came in to do what we had to and I am happy that we did.”
Cruyff: “Maccabi will be back”
Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach summed up his team’s 1:0 victory at Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday 34 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al and despite becoming the first team to win at Toto-Turner Stadium, the coach didn’t hide his disappointment of not winning the league title:
“The disappointment of us not doing what we had to do during many games this season and the irregularity stays the same, we’re disappointed. We should have won 2 or 3 zero, but what has happened to us all year is that we couldn’t finish off the game. Congratulations to Beer Sheva a worthy champion and they knew how to get the results in money time. They are the honest winners. For our part we have to learn from our mistakes and know that we have the base of players but we need to improve. Hopefully next season Maccabi will be back where it belongs.
Happy for the fans:
“For us today I’m happy for the fans, they came in big numbers and supported the team at least we could give them this. We played Beer Sheva 5 times this season, won 3 and lost 2 but we were not good enough to fight for the championship.”
About Dor Peretz:
“It’s was an amazing goal anytime a shot comes for 25 meters. I think that Dor has matured to a very big player for Israel. I think that if you look at the complete picture, discipline, practical intelligence, physical capabilities, for sure he is a player that could go to Europe and do well.”
Maccabi to be back:
“I think they had a little more difficulties than other years but they had a mature team with good players who could score at any moment. Maccabi needs to grow to that again and I really feel that Maccabi will be back when there is a new stadium and we are on equal terms fighting Maccabi will be back again.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv defeats Beer Sheva 1:0
The Yellow & Blue defeated Hapoel Beer Sheva as Dor Peretz’s 44’ goal gave Maccabi the 3-points and guaranteed them a place in the Europa League qualifiers which will begin in July. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s win also marked the first time that Hapoel Beer Sheva lost at their home stadium. Tuesday will be Jordi’s last home match with the club as the Yellow & Blue are just 2 points away from second place Beitar Jerusalem whom they will host.
Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajikovic, Eli Dasa, Tal Ben Haim, Jean-Sylvain Babin, Ofir Davidzada, Dor Peretz, Sheran Yeini (C), Eyal Golasa, Omer Atzily, Dor Micha and Nock Blackman.
Available on the bench were Daniel Tenenbaum, Barak Itzhaki, Jose Rodriguez, Vidar Kjartansson, Aaron Schoenfeld, Eitan Tibi and Avi Rikan.
First Half
Beer Sheva took control of the pace of play early on, but Micha helped turn that around as he found Blackman a couple of times but his chances missed the target.
Following a pair of attempts by John Ogu and Tony Nwakaeme in the box, Blackman had a huge chance in the 32’ as he made his way past the Beer Sheva keeper Guy Haimov who came out of the area, but the tough angled shot just missed the far post and went out.
In the 44’ Maccabi took control of the ball at midfield and Peretz unleashed a right footed screamer that hit the bar and bounced behind Haimov into the goal for a 1:0 Maccabi lead at the break.
Second Half
Beer Sheva pressed Maccabi to begin the second half but couldn’t produce a quality chance on Rajikovic. In the 59’ the Yellow & Blue almost doubled their lead when Dasa sent the ball to Blackman whose header hit the bar and Al Hamid cleared it from the line.
In the 66’ Atzily was replaced by Aaron Schoenfeld as Maccabi’s first substitution. Five minutes later, Blackman missed a fine chance from 3 meters after taking a cross from Schoenfeld. Avi Rikan came on for Dor Micha in the 80’ as the Yellow & Blue were able to keep the score as is to take home the 3-points and become the first team to defeat Beer Sheva at their home stadium while also claiming a spot in Europa League qualification.
Tzarfati: “This championship is for the entire club”
After three seasons, the league championship will return to Kiryat Shalom. Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv officially wrapped up the title with a 5:1 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva and will host Kiryat Shemona next week when they lift the championship plate.
Head Coach Guy Tzarfati shared his thoughts on the championship:
“It’s a great feeling. I came full circle as I won the Under-19 title 22 years ago as the captain of the team and today, 22 years later I took home the championship as the coach. I’m happy for the players and the terrific staff as this is a championship for the entire club and that’s how it is at Maccabi as we all work together.”
The process:
“It took time for me to understand how to coach a youth team and players. Whoever doesn’t work in this industry doesn’t understand that it’s 24/7 work to be with the players as each has their own story that has to be processed both in your head and in your heart. It’s a huge challenge and I really enjoyed the process and what I am doing here.”
Together as a team:
“We’re going to eat together as a team and once a month we do something as group whether it’s Playstation, laser tag, paintball or going to a restaurant. Other than the hard work we all put in together, it’s important to also do fun things so the players get to know each other.”
Asking the fans to come out next week to see watch the team lift the championship plate:
“All season long I haven’t asked the Maccabi fans to come see us, but our last match which is at home we want the fans to come and pay homage to the squad. I want them to see what Maccabi Tel Aviv is all about.”
Maccabi “Shachar” wins the League Championship
Now it’s official: The Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al Championship will return to Kiryat Shalom!
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visited Maccabi Petah Tikva on Matchday 29 of league play. With a 6 point lead over second place Hapoel Raanana and a +18 goal differential any result other than a defeat would guarantee Guy Tzarfati’s side the championship.
Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Noam Cohen, Alon Shtrozberg, Fadi Najar, Yoav Hofmayster, Amit Glazer, Tomer Altman, Prince Thomas, Mufleh Shalata, Eylon Almog, William Agada.
First Half
In the 7’ the Yellow & Blue had their opening chance of the contest when Shalata took a quality attempt, however his opportunity went out. 12 minutes later, the host’s took the lead when Petah Tikva went out on a counter as Arad Bar sent a left footed ball into the far left hand corner beating Peretz.
The U19’s could have drawn even in the 34’ when Agada’s chance in the box was just cleared off the line by a Petah Tikva defender. Two minutes later the host’s almost doubled their advantage when Tomer Benbenishti beat the Yellow & Blue defenders but Peretz was in place to make the stop as the team’s went into the break with Petah Tikva sporting a 1:0 lead.
Second Half
Maccabi began taking control of the match and in the 62’ they drew even at 1:1 when Almog took a long distance scorcher that went into the top left corner of the goal. Two minutes later an Altman cross found Agada in the box who headed it home for a 2:1 lead.
בדקה ה-68 איילון אלמוג כבש את ה
In the 68’ Almog found the back of the goal once again for a 3:1 advantage while Atman sent the ball to Shalata who added the 4th goal for Maccabi “Shachar”. Just before the final whistle, Netanel Peretz added his name to the goal scorers list to give the U19’s a 5:1 win and a 9th Championship!
The Under-16’s are Champions
The Under-16 club brought home another title for the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department as Raymond Atteveld and assistant Jeffery Yishay’s side won the league championship with a 1:0 win over Bnei Yehuda at Shechunat HaTikva. Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” entered the contest in first place level on points with Beitar Jerusalem but with a better goal differential. A win over Bnei Yehuda would bring the title home to Kiryat Shalom.
נערים ב׳ בחגיגות אליפות 17/18
Raymond Atteveld’s squad had a wonderful campaign winning 21 matches, drawing 4 and falling 4 times while scoring 111 goals while conceding 36 in 30 contests. Tal Torjman led all scorers with 23 goals for the Under-16’s.
After getting off to rough start, Atteveld took over the team and together with assistant Jeffery Yishay and the rest of the staff along with hard work, the Under-16 side got back onto the winning track. The squad ended the campaign with 9 straight wins and scored in 29 out of 30 matches while scoring 3.7 goals on average per game.
Atteveld summed up the match and the season: “This was a tough match as the opponent wasn’t really there to play but to stand behind the ball making it difficult to break down the wall. We spoke to the players about it as we expected that they would play like that. I told them to be patient and that the goal would come even if it was near the end of the match.”
“We tried to play football but at times our decisions were quick and not correct. In the second half the opponent began to tire and the distance between players began to open up. Our goal was scored off of a set piece and we had other chances that could have gone in. I am very happy with the result and what we accomplished as the players deserved it. After a season in which the team had 3 coaches, which is not something normal at this age, plus the unwarranted criticism we lifted ourselves up and the players went forward. We were able to move into first place and hold onto it for the balance of the season.”
This Week in Maccabi History: 1995/96 Coronation match
1995/96: מכבי ת”א – בית”ר י-ם 0:1
Just like the best players in the world: Dani Alves & Verratti
Just like the best players in the world: The Brand New Youth Department Project
אימון תנועה: דני אלבס ווראטי
Maccabi representatives at the Mini Mondial for Peace
Maccabi Tel Aviv CEO Ben Mansford along with Yellow & Blue players Yuval Shpungin and Daniel Lifshitz took part in the annual Peres Center for Peace Mini Mondial as over 800 children, Arabs and Jews, Israelis and Palestinians from various parts of the country descended on the Municipal Stadium in Herzliya for a day of fun filled football action. The tournament is meant to be sign of peace, tolerance and the acceptance of the other and included appearances by Israel Premier League players, ambassadors and mayors from across the country.
This is the 15th year that the event is taking place and also included an exhibition game between the Premier League players, ambassadors and mayors who were part of the “Peace Team” against the Israeli and Palestinian children. The “Peach Team” included Yuval Shpungin, Daniel Lifshitz, Dia Saba, Maor Bozaglo, Yossi Benayoun, Omri Glazer, Raz Meir and Lee Falcon Israel National Team Women’s star.
Others who took part in the program included Peres Center for Peace Chairman Chemi Peres, Member of the Board of Directors Yoni Peres, Herzliya Mayor Moshe Fadlon, Master Chef star and Peres Center committee member Nof Ethamna Ismail as well as children’s star Tal Museri.
