Maccabi Tel Aviv had a successful evening last night as did Cristian Battocchio who scored his first goal in Yellow & Blue. The midfielder gave Maccabi their 3rd goal in a 3:1 win over Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer Stadium and spoke about his feelings following the contest:
Category: News
Vidar breaks record: Fastest goal in Maccabi history
Just 13 seconds after the opening whistle at Sammy Ofer Stadium, Vidar Kjartansson found the back of the Haifa goal and everyone began to think if there had been a faster goal in Maccabi Tel Aviv history. The answer was a resounding – NO!
Watch what Vidar had to say following the match:
וידאר קיארטנסון לאחר הניצחון על מכבי חיפה
The Icelandic striker took over the top spot from Moshe Asis and now holds the record for the fastest goal breaking the 56-year old record that was set in 1962 when it took only 17 seconds for Asis to score in a 4:2 win over Hapoel Sderot in the State Cup.
Maor Bozaglo also scored after just 17 seconds when the Yellow & Blue defeated Beitar Jerusalem 3:0 back in 2010. Vicky Peretz and Giora Spiegel close out the top 5 as the pair scored 30 seconds after the opening whistle. The former did it in a crazy 4:4 draw against Bnei Yehuda in 1980 while the latter scored against Mysore State in the semifinals of the 1969 Asian Club Championship (6:1 in favor of Maccabi)
The next five fastest goals in Maccabi Tel Aviv history:
37 Seconds – Monas Dabbur against Hapoel Raanana, 2013 (3:1)
42 Seconds – Haim Goldberg against Beitar Jerusalem, 1985 (3:1)
42 Seconds – Guy Tzarfati against Tzafririm Holon, 1999 (3:1)
46 Seconds – Haim Tzabari against Hakoach Ramat Gan, 1983 (4:1)
47 Seconds – Nosa Igiebor against Maccabi Haifa, 2015 (2:1)
Cruyff: “The money time starts now”
Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue Head Coach spoke about his club’s 3:1 victory and was asked about the championship fight as the club drew level on points with Hapoel Beer Sheva:
“We are not thinking about these words. They are just stories and we have to work, take it game by game and I don’t want any player even thinking about it.”
Changing the formation:
“We play what we have to and it depends with what is going on on the pitch. It could be players moving forward like Micha or moving into space. It’s difficult to place Dor Micha in a certain place as he drifts around. I’m generally happy with our performance and tomorrow we begin to work towards the next game.”
Nick Blackman’s role against Haifa:
“Nick had a different type of duty where he held the ball and gives us time for the defense to move forward tonight.”
Keeping up the intensity:
“The team is showing more character and intensity but if we drop just 1% we could lose. We have to move forward and things start now. The money time begins now.”
Pushing forward and not falling back:
“When Haifa scored to make the game 2:1 we could have been pushed back or move forward but we pushed forward and we kept playing. We scored the third goal and took the win.”
More about the formation:
“We have certain players who can play different positions. The players felt more comfortable and we have been conceding less goals. Right now it’s working and at any time the formation may have to change depending on the situation.”
Playing time for the players:
“It’s not easy as players always want to play and they want to play more. We had a few players missing and the players that did come in played well and it’s all about the team and not the individual. Players who don’t play should be unhappy but have to understand that no one is above the team.”
Maccabi bests Haifa 3:1 to move into a 1st place tie
Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Haifa 3:1 away at Sammy Ofer Stadium on a Vidar Kjartansson brace and Cristian Battocchio’s first goal in Yellow & Blue to move into a first place tie on points with Hapoel Beer Sheva. Nikita Rukavytsya scored for Haifa as Maccabi will now get ready for a Matchday 19 home contest against Hapoel Ashkelon on Sunday January 21, 20:30 at the Netanya Stadium.
מחזור 18 | תקציר הניצחון על מכבי חיפה
Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajikovic, Yuval Shpungin, Jean-Sylvain Babin, Eitan Tibi, Ofir Davidzada, Eyal Golasa, Dor Peretz, Dor Micha (C), Avi Rikan, Nick Blackman and Vidar Kjartansson.
Available on the bench were keeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Tal Ben Haim, Cristian Battocchio, Jose Rodriguez, Barak Itzhaki, Eliran Atar and Aaron Schoenfeld.
First Half
What a dream start for Maccabi! Vidar took a pass in the box, jumped by the defender and kicked the ball into the goal behind Omri Glazer for a quick 1:0 lead in the 1’. In the 8’ Rikan sent a ball into the area that Peretz leaped for, but his header went right into the awaiting hands of the Haifa keeper while the Greens had their first chance a minute later when Caio’s screamer was smartly saved by a diving Rajikovic.
As the Yellow & Blue searched for a second goal, Golasa almost scored in the 19’ but his attempt from the top of the box was stopped by Glazer. Six minutes later, Micha danced into the middle of the area, handed the ball off to Golasa on his right but the Haifa shot stopper made the save once again.
In the 28’ Haifa worked a free kick play, but Klaus’s opportunity went wide to the right of the Maccabi goal and in the 40’ Raz Meir’s chance in the area went out. Two minutes later Rikan’s half volley went over the goal while Vidar’s attempt from the top of the box was saved by Glazer as the half ended with Maccabi maintaining a 1:0 lead.
Second Half
Caio looked to equalize for the host’s but his attempt was just off target in the 47’ while three minutes later Rikan’s chance just missed the goal. However, in the 54’ the aforementioned Rikan took a gorgeous through ball by Micha, laid off a perfect pass to Vidar in the box on a 2 on 1 situation that the Iceman put behind Glazer for a 2:0 Yellow & Blue advantage.
In the 63’ Rikan’s opportunity was saved by Glazer while Sallalich had a chance for Haifa at the other end of the pitch but his shot hit the outside of the goal. However, three minutes later Nikita Rukavytsya took advantage of a ball that got away from Rajikovic in the area to cut the Maccabi lead to 2:1. Cristian Battocchio came on for Rikan in the 68’ as the Yellow & Blue looked to freshen up the midfield.
Blackman gave an oncoming Micha a quality ball in the box, but number 15’s attempt flew over the bar in the 76’ while five minutes later Battocchio’s laser beam from the left side was caught by an alert Glazer. But the next attempt by Battocchio went right by a helpless Glazer for a 3:1 Maccabi lead as the Argentine scored his first goal in Yellow & Blue thanks to a Blackman pass in the area.
Eliran Atar and Jose Rodriguez came on for Vidar Kjartansson and Eyal Golasa as the contest ended in a big 3:1 win for Maccabi Tel Aviv as they draw even on points with Hapoel Beer Sheva in first place.
Blast from the Past: When Maccabi exploded with a 5:1 win at Haifa
1991/92: מכבי חיפה – מכבי ת”א 5:1
Ticket Sales Hapoel Ashkelon Home Match
Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to continue their positive momentum in Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al action on Sunday January 21 at 20:30 when they host Hapoel Ashkelon for a Matchday 19 encounter at the Netanya Stadium. Tickets are on sale so come out and cheer the Yellow & Blue.
Maccabi fans may purchase tickets for the following sections: West Stand Reserved Upper (203-209) & Lower Levels (101-109) , Silver and E+. This match is included in the 2017/18 season ticket package.
You may purchase tickets at the Leaan Ticket Office located at 101 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv, by telephone *8780 and via the
Leaan Website.
Please note:
Print at home is available
Ticket Prices
Leaan Ticket Office
West Stand
Adult – 100 NIS
E+ – 200 NIS
Silver – 350 NIS
Telephone/Website
West Stand
Adult – 105 NIS
Youth/Soldier/Woman – 55 NIS (Phone Sales only, not including section 103-107, 204-206 and are issued at the Leaan Box Office by providing appropriate documentation)
E+ – 205 NIS
Silver – 355 NIS
Ticket Collection
Tickets may be collected at the Leaan Ticket Office located at 101 Dizengoff Street 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.
Scent of goals: Kjartansson returns to Sammy Ofer
קיארטנסון חוזר לסמי עופר
Maccabi Tel Aviv International Youth Tournament this Weekend
For the first time in Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv FC will host an International Youth Tournament. The Club’s Youth Department will hold a competition that will include clubs from aboard including Bayer Leverkusen and Red Star Paris. In addition, Maccabi Haifa, Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth clubs will also take part in the tournament between January 19-21 at Kiryat Shalom.
The competition will feature a single group consisting of all 6 teams. The matches will be held in a league format with two 30 minute halves while every club will play each other once. After each side has faced each other, the team in first place will be crowned the tournament champion. All matches will be played according to the rules and regulations of FIFA and the IFA.
Match Schedule
Friday January 19, 2018
10:00 Opening of the Tournament
Pitch 1:
11:00 Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion
12:15 Bayer Leverkusen – Maccabi Haifa
Pitch 2:
11:00 Red Star Paris – Beitar Jerusalem
Saturday January 20, 2018
Pitch 1:
11:00 Maccabi Tel Aviv – Red Star Paris
12:15 Maccabi Haifa – Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion
13:30 Maccabi Tel Aviv – Beitar Jerusalem
14:45 Bayer Leverkusen – Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion
Pitch 2:
11:00 Beitar Jerusalem – Bayer Leverkusen
14:45 Maccabi Haifa – Red Star Paris
Sunday January 21, 2018
Pitch 1:
10:00 Maccabi Tel Aviv – Bayer Leverkusen
11:15 Beitar Jerusalem – Maccabi Haifa
12:30 Bayer Leverkusen – Red Star Paris
13:45 Maccabi Tel Aviv – Maccabi Haifa
15:00 Award Ceremony
15:45 End of Tournament
Pitch 2:
10:00 Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion – Red Star Paris
13:45 Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion – Beitar Jerusalem
Maccabi Tel Aviv will hold the tournament at the Kiryat Shalom Training Complex and the matches will be held on the synthetic pitch and the central pitch.
For Directions to the Training Complex via WAZE Click Here
The Camera’s Lens: Final Training Session ahead of Maccabi Haifa
Yellow & Blue Youth Department Results January 13, 2018
שערי השבת במחלקת הנוער 13.1
Kiryat Shemona 1:3 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv
The Under-19 club ended the first round of matches in style with an away win at Kiryat Shemona on Matchday 15 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al as they moved into 3rd place, 4 points off of the top of the table. The goal scorers included Eylon Almog, William Agada and Mufleh Shalata. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati summed up the match: “We played an excellent team game and we created plenty of chances to score. I am happy with the way the players have been playing and their attitude. It took some time, but now we can begin to see how some of the players are improving. I expect that the current form will continue into the 2nd round of play.”
For the full Match Report CLICK HERE
Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 3:1 Maccabi “Kalfo” Petah Tikva
The Under-17 squad’s fine form continued after defeating Petah Tikva at home on Matchday 14. Maccabi is in first place and with the win, they opened up a 9 point gap atop the table. Goal scorers included: Bar Cohen with a brace and Asaf Hershko. Head Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon spoke about his side’s victory: “At the beginning of the season we hoped that the team would look like a side that played together, advanced, learnt and executed. Today the staff can say that we have seen this already in the first half of the season. Prior to the match, we watched the game we played against Petah Tikva in the preseason. I told the players that we were in a totally different place, that we had improved and that we were a much better club, smarter, more intelligent and mentally stronger. The match was proof that we had improved and the players have adapted to the club’s system of play. There is no better feeling for a staff to have than that as we work with one goal in mind, helping create better players. To the players I say that they can be very content and can feel very good about themselves. But, we are only halfway through and the best horses will always come through at the end of the marathon. That’s what we expect the rest of the way, we want to be the best. We have another match on Tuesday, a different story, a different club and a new challenge.”
Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 3:1 Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv
The young Yellow & Blue Under-16 team continued their quality play as they won the Little Derby on Matchday 15 and they are now undefeated in their last 8 matches as they sit in 4th place, 6 points off the top of the table with one match in hand. Or Roizman, Tal Torgman and Afek Sapir Navot were the goal scorers. Head Coach Raymond Atteveld summed up the match: “We made the game difficult for ourselves by not playing fast enough. Our opponent tried everything to slow the game down and after we scored 3 times they tried to wrestle us out of the game. But we kept playing and created many chances, but we didn’t take advantage of them. Bnei Yehuda was so hyped up that they made many unacceptable fouls which resulted in one player, Itay Rada going to hospital where he still is at the moment. I won’t say too much about the behavior of the opponent, just, that the coaches are responsible for their team’s behavior. We’re happy with the win, which was hard fought, but very worried about our player’s situation. What is much more important than the win is Itay’s health!”
Beitar “Gady” Jerusalem 2:1 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv
The Under-15 South side visited the capital city and returned home with 3 points thanks to goal scorers Ohad Mizrahi and Elad Kalpan. Head Coach Ori David spoke about the contest: “The players showed a lot of desire other than playing good football and by scoring some fantastic goals. I’m proud of the guys.”
Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv 3:1 Hapoel Tel Aviv North
The Under-15 North squad won their 6th match in a row on Matchday 13 with a victory in the Tel Aviv Derby. The three points moves Maccabi closer to the top of table with a gap of only 3 points and a match in hand. Omer Senior with a brace and Ben Lineker scored for Maccabi. Head Caoch Asaf Heber spoke about his side’s performance: “We weren’t aggressive enough. Despite coming back from an early deficit in the Derby, the guys have to know that they can’t come into a match the way they did and I’m sure that on Tuesday we will see a completely different approach when we face Tubruk.”
