Category: News
Peretz: “We understand that we have to be ready to take the points”
Dor Peretz, the Yellow & Blue midfielder spoke about tonight’s Matchday 22 Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al contest at Hapoel Acre and the club’s preparation:
“We prepare for every match to win and for this one we really understand that we have to come in ready to go in order to take the points.”
Playing against a club that will be very defensive:
“There’s no question that it’s going to be a tough match and that’s also true against teams that play a wide open style of football. We also know that a defensive style of game is tough as well.”
The win over Beer Sheva and looking ahead:
“I’m happy that we won and we enjoyed it, but the day after we were already back to work as we know that the championship isn’t being awarded now and only in May. From my point of view the next match is always most important.”
Hand in hand with the fans:
“The way we have battled on the pitch gives us even more support from the fans.”
Final Preparations: Score an early goal against Acre
Last round Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Acre 5:2 which included some goals that were up for the Goal of the Season.
מחזור 9 | תקציר הניצחון על הפועל עכו
Since the last time the two sides met there were changes amongst the personnel of the northern squad including the head coach. Jordi Cruyff’s team will look to remain in first place for the second straight Matchday.
Although it’s unclear as to who will be in the Starting XI, the style of game will be different compared to last week’s contest against Hapoel Beer Sheva as Acre is fighting to stay up in the league and will come in with a very defensive system. Last match against the northern outfit, Eliran Atar scored a hat trick marking his 10th goal in 11 contests against them.
“It’s difficult to find the holes and paths to create and then it’s important to score a goal,” Cruyff commented. “I think we are ready for the game and we know how important it is. When we lose the ball we have to press quick. When we have that attitude we tend to get good results.”
Ofir Davidzada also spoke about the upcoming contest against Acre, “The professional staff always prepares us well for each and every match. We know that this will be a tough defensive match and if we break them down then the game will open up and we can take advantage of that.”
Focused on winning the match:
“If we come into the game and we don’t give it our all then we will not get the result that we need. We have to come in prepared and focused in order to win and take the points.”
Some numbers:
The club’s have met 19 times in league action. The record: 13 Maccabi wins, 2 Acre victories, 4 draws. The last ten contests have ended in Maccabi victories.
The 5:2 result last match between the two was Maccabi’s biggest win this season while the two prior contest’s finished in 5:0 victories in 2013/14 and 2015/16.
Maccabi “Shachar” defeats Bnei Yehuda 3:0
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv hosted Bnei Yehuda on Matchday 18 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The young Yellow & Blue came into the contest in 2nd place with 8 wins in 9 matches while Bnei Yehuda found themselves in 11th place with 2 wins in their last 8 contests. Guy Tzarfati’s attack featured Netanel Peretz, Mufleh Shalata and Eylon Almog.
Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Amit Glazer, Alon Shtrozberg, Fadi Najar, Tomer Machluf, Tamir Glazer, Yoav Hofmayster, Prince Thomas, Mufleh Shalata, Netanel Peretz and Eylon Almog.
First Half
Over the first quarter hour of action neither side threatened the opponent’s goal as Maccabi had the contest’s first chance in the 20’ when Hofmayster put a ball through to Peretz who attempted a bicycle kick but his effort went out.
In the 30’ Tamir Glazer sent a through ball from the right to Peretz who in turn tried to send it to Almog but the Bnei Yehuda defense cleared the threat. Just prior to the break, the young Yellow & Blue took the lead as Thomas fought for the ball, sent it intelligently over the defense to Peretz who went one on one against the visiting keeper. His attempt then went off a defender and into the goal for a 1:0 advantage after 45 minutes of action.
Second Half
The second half began just as the first ended with another Maccabi goal. In the 50’ Amit Glazer took the ball on the right, made his way into the box going by two defenders, sent it into the middle to Shalata who headed it home for a 2:0 lead. The young Yellow & Blue continued to pressure Bnei Yehuda and in the 55’ Shalata sent a pass to Shalata but his shot went out. One minute later, Bnei Yehuda had a chance to cut the lead but Dani Amar’s header just cleared the bar.
Eyal Hen who came on as a substitute almost helped to add the third goal but his cross to Almog was stopped by the Bnei Yehuda keeper, while the ensuing header allowed the visitors a chance to counter but Najar cleared the ball from any danger.
In the 74’ Almog stole the ball in the midfield went by a pair of defenders and sent his chance to the far corner. The keeper was able to get a hand on the ball as it dropped to Thomas who passed it to Almog as he tried to go around the keeper but was pulled down, good for a penalty that the aforementioned Thomas slotted home for a 3:0 lead.
Yunis Jabarin, who came on as a substitute for Peretz went down the right, cut towards the middle of the pitch and sent a shot from long distance that the keeper just caught to stem the threat. Two minutes later, Almog also streaked down the right and sent the ball to Sahar Berami who put his attempt into the Bnei Yehuda defense as Maccabi took the 3-points and the win.
HP Goal of the Month: Vidar’s 13-second Special
It took most of you less than 13-Seconds to vote for Vidar Kjartansson’s goal against Maccabi Haifa as the HP January Goal of the Month. Maccabi FIRST members overwhelmingly handed this month’s award to the Icelandic Striker as he garnered 67% of the popular vote.
The full ranking:
אתם בחרתם: שער חודש פברואר של HP
360 Trivia: How much do you know about Jordi Cruyff?
Just like the best players in the world: Mesut Ozil
Just like the best players in the world: The Brand New Youth Department Project
אימון תנועה: מסוט אוזיל
Youth Department Action Saturday February 10, 2018
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, 11:00 Ramle Stadium
The Under-19 squad will host Bnei Yehuda in the Little Derby on Matchday 18 of the Youth Israel Premier League. The young Yellow & Blue are in 2nd place with 8 wins in their last 9 league contests while Bnei Yehuda are in 11th with 2 wins in their last 8 matches.
Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Raanana, 10:00 Kiryat Shalom 1 (U17)
The Under-17 team is undefeated as they enter Matchday 17 in league play. Eliezer Ben Aharon’s side are in 1st place with a 9-point gap as Raanana finds themselves in 6th with 3 wins in a row.
Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Yashin” Tel Aviv, 10:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U16)
After getting back onto the winning track last week in league play and midweek in the State Cup, the Under-16 side will host the Tel Aviv Derby on Matchday 18. The young Yellow & Blue are in 5th place just 5 points off the top of the table while the Reds are in 7th with just one win in their past 6 matches.
Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Kiryat Ono, 08:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15 South)
With 18 goals in their past 2 matches, Maccabi “Eldad” will host Kiryat Ono on Matchday 16 as they find themselves in 1st place with 12 wins, 2 draws and a loss. Kiryat Ono are in last place with one win to their record.
Maccabi Emek Hefer Avraham – Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv, 10:15 Bat Hefer (U15 North)
The Under-15 North side comes into their matchup away at Maccabi Emek Hefer in 4th place just 3 points off the top of the table while the host’s are in 14th place with just 2 league victories.
Davidzada: “We have to come prepared and focused to take the points”
Ofir Davidzada looked ahead to Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Matchday 22 contest at Hapoel Acre on Sunday 20:15 at the Acre Stadium as well as to his own play over the last couple of weeks:
“My job is to give it all on the pitch and give my maximum. Everyone at Maccabi knows that there is a lot of competition to get into the squad. I’ll keep doing my best.”
The win over Beer Sheva:
“We knew that it was a very important game. If we win we go to first place and if we lose we are down by 5 points. We lost a lot of points in the first round and we can’t afford to lose at more.”
Preparing for Acre:
“The professional staff always prepares us well for each and every match. We know that this will be a tough defensive match and if we break them down then the game will open up and we can take advantage of that.”
Focused on winning the match:
“If we come into the game and we don’t give it our all then we will not get the result that we need. We have to come in prepared and focused in order to win and take the points.”
Helping his teammates:
“My goal is to help my teammates as much as possible and I’m happy that I’ve been able to do that over the last few matches.”
Crossing the ball into the box:
“I believe that you’ve been able to see that over the last few matches. I am working on it after every training session and that’s why we practice.”
Cruyff: “The team is more important than any individual”
Jordi Cruyff, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach addressed the media prior to his side’s Matchday 22 contest against Hapoel Acre in Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al action:
“There was a moment when we were 7-8 points behind where we left points against teams that were lower than us in the ranking. When you are on the field you have to show that you are better and take the points. We don’t look at the rankings and standings, it’s not important.”
Acre causes teams problems including Beer Sheva:
“They made a tough game and a penalty decided it. When you fight and play against a team that is below you in the standings, they fight for everything and anything they can get is a plus. You have to find the right adrenaline and give everything, fight, win duels, win games and not think of anything else.”
The team is above all:
“The team is more important than any individual and their interests. I try to be as transparent as possible. When someone asks why they aren’t playing I try to answer them. I also was on the bench many games so I know how it feels. When I see Barak, Eliran, Atzily and others pushing their team and showing spirit, that’s the best for me. The dressing room is very positive and they help each other. Football players never agree and want to be in the Starting XI and there is personal ambition, everyone fights for themselves but when the team is winning, everyone is supporting each other.”
About Jose Rodriguez:
“I think he’s a really good player and when he was injured I felt it was a big loss. But we have players that are playing well and we are playing with 3 midfielders and not 4-5. He has to fight for it and destiny may go his way.”
Playing against a defensive team:
“It’s difficult to find the holes and paths to create and then it’s important to score a goal. I think we are ready for the game and we know how important it is. When we lose the ball we have to press quick. When we have that attitude we tend to get good results.”
Getting everyone minutes:
“Every game are vital points. Sometimes destiny decides the lineup and that happens because there are suspensions and injuries. We have a small squad and we have only a few players who are out of the squad and minutes will be more everyone. It’s all about Maccabi Tel Aviv.”
New player Gidi Kanuk’s status:
“He’s a little bit behind because it’s been awhile since he played an official game. We will see how things go in the next days and weeks.”
Sheran Yeini:
“Sheran is a player, when you need him he is always ready. There are games when players weren’t playing and he took injections and I respect a player who always puts the team before himself. He’s a true captain and a club man.”
Israel football decisions:
“As someone who has been here 6 years and not as the Maccabi coach, I say that if Israel wants to be more significant in Europe, but you don’t apply European rules. My question is do you want to go forward or backwards. I didn’t see the effect of the 6th foreigner on the National Team. You have to follow Europe and not go against it. There are a lot of pros or cons to every argument.”
