Category: News
Tu B’Shvat Event for Lone Soldiers with the Maccabi Foundation
One of the important missions this season of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation is to help support Lone Soldiers in Israel. The Maccabi Foundation in conjunction with the Lone Soldier Center in Memory of Michael Levin helps this sector of the population over the course of the season and last evening in honor of Tu B’Shvat a special celebratory event was held for the Lone Soldiers at their center in Beit Jabotinsky, Tel Aviv. Yellow & Blue players Aaron Schoenfeld and Omer Atzily attended and spoke with the soldiers.
Atzily talked about the importance of the programs with Lone Soldiers who are both from Israel and abroad: “This is one of the greatest thongs that we can do. I hope we can make them as happy as possible. It’s a huge honor to be here together with them at these types of programs as well as hosting the Lone Soldiers at every home match.”
One of the Lone Soldier’s discussed how crucial these activities are: “These everts are very important. There are many times where we feel all alone and that there is no one who cares about us, but here you can see that there certainly are those who care and we can meet others who have very similar stories. Maccabi gives us much love and attention. It does a tremendous amount for us and it helps us as we continue on with our lives.”
I was born here: Who grew up at Maccabi
Kanuk: “The most important thing for me is victory”
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s brand new midfielder, Gidi Kanuk spoke to the Official Website about coming aboard the Yellow & Blue. The 24-year old who joined Maccabi from Pakhtakor Tashkent looked ahead to the challenge that he’s ready to grab with both hands:
“I feel great and I waited a long time for this opportunity. I hope that I can prove that I belong here.”
Connecting with the club, fans and players:
“I haven’t spoken much to the players since I arrived, but everyone knows how important and big this club is. It was my dream to return here and I hope that I’ll really be able to connect to the club, the fans and the players.”
Goals:
“I hope that I’ll be an asset and I’ll always give all of my heart and soul for the club, team and fans. The most important thing for me is victory. It will be a battle to get into the Starting XI and I’m aware of that, but I hope that I’ll be able to prove that I belong in the Starting lineup and play every match. That’s my goal.”
Putting up good numbers and Beer Sheva:
“There’s very good chemistry here and a great team. I hope that I’ll be able to put up good numbers over the four months that are left and I hope that I’ll be able to take part in the match against Beer Sheva and have an influence on the result.”
More about the fans:
“I received so many messages and calls from the fans and they have offered so much support. It’s really exciting for me and I didn’t except such an amazing reaction.”
Just like the best players in the world: Paul Pogba
Youth Department Action Saturday February 3, 2018
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion “Yehuda”, 12:00 Ramle Stadium (U19)
After a midweek win at Beitar Jerusalem, the young Yellow & Blue are back in action at the Ramle Stadium as they host Rishon Le’Zion on Matchday 17 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. Guy Tzarfati’s side have won 7 of their last 8 contests and are in 3rd place, just one point out of first place while the visitors are in 14th place with only 2 league wins to their credit.
Beitar Tubruk – Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, 8:30 Tubruk (U17)
The Under-17 squad gets back to action after two weeks off as they currently sit in 1st place with a 9 point lead on the 2nd place side. Eliezer Ben Aharon’s team heads to Tubruk on Matchday 16 and will visit the 12th place club who are in the midst of a 7 match winless streak.
Ironi Modiin – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 12:30 Modiin New Pitch (U16)
The Under-16 side will look to get back on the winning track when they visit Modiin on Matchday 17. The young Yellow & Blue are in 13th place while the host’s sit in 13th on the table.
Gadna Tel Aviv Nissim – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, 9:00 Jaffa Charner (U15 South)
Following a 6:0 win in the State Cup competition, Ori David’s players will look to continue their fine play in an away match at Gadna Tel Aviv on Matchday 15. The Under-15 South side currently is in 1st place in league play while the host’s are in 10th.
Maccabi “Hadar” Herzliya – Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv, 8:30 Herzliya Country Pitch Ran A (U15 North)
After their dramatic win in the State Cup Round of 16, the U15 North squad will attempt to continue their winning ways on Matchday 15 in Herzliya. The young Yellow & Blue are in 4th place just 3 points off the top of the table and the host’s are in 9th position on the table.
“We have to do our jobs as best as possible to win the match”
Maccabi Tel Aviv will take on Hapoel Beer Sheva in the “Match of the Season” on Sunday evening at the Netanya Stadium at 21:00. Barak Itzhaki spoke about the contest that everyone is looking forward to at the prematch press conference:
About the difficulty playing against teams that play a very tight defensive system:
“We know how to play clubs that are very defensive minded and there’s no question it’s much more difficult, but we have to find ways to break them down. Last match we had a tough time even though we were able to create some chances. I thought we should have won and I believe that we have been playing well of late.”
Set pieces:
“We are working on set pieces including corners and free kicks. We are working on anything and everything that needs to be improved and I hope we will be able to do better in the future.”
Sunday’s match:
There’s no question that this is the “Match of the Season”. It’s been one of the most interesting and exciting games over the last few seasons. We have to do our jobs as best as possible to win the match. We are two points away from first place and if we want to make it to the end, this is a match that we have to have. Players enjoy matches like this and if we go into it the same way as we have over the past few contests, then there’s no question that we’ll win.”
His desire to continue to play:
“Who knows what will be next season. Like I’ve always said, I want to play but I’m not the one who makes the decisions. I’d be happy to play as much as possible. Even in the last match against Beer Sheva in the Toto Cup Final, I didn’t play and we won and I was happy as if I had played. I’ll buy that on Sunday as well.”
About the squad:
“The faith that the coach has in us, gives us, the players confidence. That’s the best thing that can occur and I believe in all of our players. Even during the tough times I believed in our team. The results speak for themselves. It begins with this match. The Match of the Season is a statement game.”
Cruyff: “It’s Money Time”
Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Beer Sheva on Sunday evening, 21:00 at the Netanya Stadium. Ahead of the Matchday 20 contest, the Yellow & Blue boss Jordi Cruyff addressed the media at the prematch press conference held at Kiryat Shalom:
Operation “Warming Up” – 2nd Annual Winter Clothing Drive
You know that old coat that’s been sitting in your closet for the past number of years? Or that sweater that hasn’t seen the light of day and has become an integral part of your cupboard? Now it’s time to give away the old and donate for a worthwhile cause.
After last season’s success, the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation will be holding their Second Annual Winter Clothing Drive together with “HaBoydem” with one goal in mind, supporting the community. HaBoydem isn’t just a regular clothing store but one whose goal is to create self-sustaining second hand clothing stores which is serviced by people with disabilities who are being trained and empowered to maximize their potential, and integrate back into the competitive workplace.
As part of the project from February 1-28 fans may contribute a coat, sweater or sweatshirt at the donation points at the Official Stores and merchandise stands around the stadium on Matchday.
Last season, the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation held a most successful winter clothing drive in conjunction with HaBoydem as over 2,000 items including coats, sweatshirts and sweaters were donated to support the community. Whether it was dropping off a bag at one of the Official Club Stores or at the Netanya Stadium prior to one of Maccabi’s home matches, the fans came out in full force to help make this project a winner. Let’s have a repeat performance this season!
KANUK JOINS MACCABI ON LOAN
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC reached an agreement with Uzbekistan side Pakhtakor Tashkent FK for the loan deal of Gidi Kanyuk who successfully underwent a medical and joined the club till the end of the season.
גידי קאניוק מוצג במכבי
Kanuk, who will wear the number 17 shirt at Maccabi, told the club’s official website: “I am delighted to join Maccabi and hope to help the club reach its’ goals. I am looking forward to meet the Yellow fans and promise to give everything to prove I am worthy of this club”.
Maccabi’s CEO Ben Mansford added: “We are delighted to add Gidi Kanuk to the squad as we push forward until the end of the season. Gidi knows the club and was part of the Maccabi youth set-up with Omer Atzili in the past. Gidi needs no introduction to 
our supporters after his recent goals against us and it is those qualities that we are pleased to have for the rest of the season. What really impressed me about Gidi was his desire to play for Maccabi above and beyond any other consideration. That kind of mentality is exactly what is demanded at Maccabi and ultimately required for us to win trophies. Welcome Gidi”.
The 24-year-old diminutive midfielder, who began his footballing career at Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth department joined Maccabi Petah Tikva at the age of 14 and made his senior debut in 2010. Kanuk, scored 19 goals in 147 appearances for Petah Tikva joined Pakhtakor in the summer where he scored 1 goal in 8 appearances in Uzbekistan.
