Itamar Noy marked his 37th appearance in a Maccabi shirt during the 4-1 victory over his former club Hapoel Haifa and had a solid performance at the heart of midfield. Noy, who joined Maccabi in the summer is set to continue in the anchorman role for the top of the table clash against Hapoel Be’ersheva at Bloomfield. “We feel in good shape” Noy said in Friday’s Press Conference. “We trained well and worked hard during this period. Now everyone is together, feeling good, and ready for any match that comes.”
Ahead of the match against the leaders, Noy added: “Our focus needs to be on continuing the path we’re on, attacking and proactive football. Mentally, we’ll need to be strong and united. We’re ready for this match.”

With Maccabi currently third in the table with 49 points, seven adrift of Be’ersheva, as the regular season will reach its end and the Playoff will begin, Noy said: “We are in a situation where every match is critical. This is a big game, and right now our focus is on Sunday, to achieve the best result we can. I hope we come in the way we know how, continue the good momentum, and take the three points.”

On how Maccabi will approach the match, Noy didn;t give too much away: “We have our preparation, I won’t go into too much detail. We’ve been building something here recently. We’re doing things the way the coach and staff want. Each week we need to take another step forward in that direction. When we’re all focused on the same goal and method, this is a strong team that can do very good things.”

On not having beaten the top teams so far this season: “There were too many matches where we should have done better and won against the big teams. That’s something we know we need to improve. Now is our time to prove that we belong at the top and that the path we’re on will take us to where we truly deserve to be.”

On his connection with the foreign players during this period, Noy, added: “We try to explain this unusual situation. To make people understand that it’s not always simple. The club supports them very well and helps them, and as players we try to explain the situation and assist as much as we can. I’ve spoken with them quite a lot. We try to be there for them in anything they need and show them that we’re all in this together and will try to make the most of it.”

Osher Davida, scored his third league goal and 6^th in all competitions this season as he was on target during Maccabi’s emphatic 4-1 victory away to Hapoel Haifa. While Maccabi remains third in the table, the victory, narrowed the gap from second place Beitar Jerusalem, a week before hosting leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva for the final match of the regular season.

Davida’s goal on the stroke of halftime, was Maccabi’s third which ended a convincing first half on the way to a convincing victory. The 25-year-old, who was also involved in one of the other goals, admitted after the match: “First, I am happy with the first half. Not just because of the goals, we made good attacking movements and executed patterns we have been working on in training. It was great to see that it works. In the second half we struggled, especially in the first 30 minutes. We need to understand why that happened, fix it and improve. On the contrary, at 3-0 we should enjoy the football even more and score additional goals. Still, it is not easy after almost a month and a half without playing. I am happy that from the first minute we showed that we’re here, and I hope we continue like this next week.”

On his and Maccabi’s season so-far, Davida said: “The first two-thirds (of the season) were difficult. Since Ronny Deila arrived, this is already my second goal in four or five matches. I am happy and hope to continue delivering for the team and for myself.”

With several of his foreign teammates absent through various reasons, Davida admitted: “Some of the foreign players are injured, so it’s not entirely relevant. Ion Nicolaescu will only be available next season, and I hope Kristijan Belic returns as soon as possible. I think they are important for the team, but to be honest, if I were in their place, I don’t know what decision I would make, as this is not a normal situation. I appreciate everyone who is here and I have thanked them personally. Anyone who wants to be here is welcome, and those who don’t, we understand that as well. In the end, we’re a strong enough team.”

On the fact matches are currently staged behind closed doors due to the restrictions of the Home Front Command, Davida said: “It is not fun, especially for a big club like ours that needs the fans with us. We have no control over it. I hope the fans will return very soon.”

Maccabi’s Head Coach Ronny Deila whose side returned to league action after a month long break due to the war with Iran, guided the team to a 4-1 victory at Sammy Ofer over Hapoel Haifa. At the end of the game the Norwegian coach said: “It has been a difficult month for everyone. Even today, I heard about the terrible incident in Haifa and my thoughts are with those affected, that’s more important than football. As for the match, I think we played a fantastic first half. The way the players performed today was excellent. We played with tempo and patience, reacted well, and pressed them effectively in their own half. In the second half we had more problems, these are things we’ll need to work on and respond better to changes.”

Deila, who is missing several foreign players from his squad, admitted: “I have spoken with all of them, and I hope more players will arrive during the week. We need to respect everyone. The club is doing everything in the way it supports us, and we will do everything we can to make it as comfortable as possible in the current situation to be part of the team. We want everyone here.”

Ahead of next week’s match against leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva at Bloomfield which would end the regular season and set the tone for the Playoff, Deila said: “Right now, it’s theirs to lose, that’s for sure. We want to win every match. We were dominant before the break and again today. Be’ersheva is a different game, so far they’ve been the best team, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

At the start of his remarks, Ido Shahar addressed the missile impact in Haifa earlier and said: “We heard that Haifa went through a difficult evening. From here, I want to pray that everyone is found safe and well. The north is going through a tough time. I want to say thank you and pray for the safety of our soldiers, thanks to them, we are here.”

The 24-year-old midfielder, then spoke about the circumstances in which the match was played, after scoring a goal to take his tally to 10 league goals this season: “The feeling of returning to play is amazing. As much as possible, we can give fans two hours of disconnection from everything that’s happening. We’re happy to be back playing. I dedicate this win to the soldiers, we are glad to give them every moment of joy and happiness that we can.”

On Maccabi’s mindset, Shahar added: “I can say that we are coming back with maximum hunger and readiness. As a team and as a club, we are very hungry, we have been waiting to play and to complete our objectives.”

As Maccabi narrowed the gap from Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Be’ersheva, Shahar said: “We never gave up for a second, and we’re not giving up. We’re just trying to press the gas. Next week we have Hapoel Be’ersheva, we hope to win and we approach it like any other match.”

Shahar, who became a father for the first time last week, explained his cradle celebration after scoring:
“Today I arrived at the team hotel after my son’s brit, so it was for him and for my wife.”

Preview

Thirty-six days of an imposed break due to the war with Iran came to an end as Maccabi Tel Aviv returned to league action for the WINNER League MD25 match away to Hapoel Haifa.

Ronny Deila’s charges that are currently third in the table with 46 points, arrived as Sammy Ofer stadium to play the match which was rescheduled from February 28th. On the penultimate match of the regular season, Maccabi’s task is clear – beating Hapoel Haifa and narrowing the gap from second place Beitar Jerusalem and leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva that arrive at Bloomfield next week.

Ofek Melika who kept two clean sheets with Israel’s U-21’s during the international break made his 20th appearance in goal. Ali Camara and Tyrese Asante lined-up as the two central defenders in front of Melika with Roy Revivo named at left back. Noam Ben Harush on the right completed Maccabi’s defensive line as he and Itamar Noy faced their former club and were honored by the host club before kickoff. Maccabi’s top goal scorers Ido Shahar (9) and Dor Peretz (10), completed Maccabi’s midfield trio. Osher Davida on one wing and Helio Varela on the other supplied the width to Deila’s team with Saied Abu Farchi leading the line.

Deila, who was missing Emir Sahiti, Heitor dos Santos, Kervin Andrade and Kristijan Belic, named Roi Mishpati, Sagiv Jehezkel, Raz Shlomo, Yonas Malede, Elad Madmon, Ben Lederman, Itai Ben Hemo, Lotem Asres and Ilay Ben Simon on the substitutes bench.

First Half

Infront of an empty stadium and with only 150 people present including both teams, the hosts came close to to draw first blood in the opening minute after Alon Turgeman exploited a mistake by Tyrese Asante to charge forward but Maccabi’s defense recovered in time. 

In the the sixth minute. Maccabi came even closer to score as Noam Ben Harush’s cross from the right found Saied Abu Farchi whose powerful header was saved by Yoav Gerafi. Heio Varela pounced on the rebound and sent a half volley towards goal which Gerafi punched away once again.

The hosts enjoyed a decent spell yet were unable to create any clear chances, but in the 24th minute Gerafi rescued them from conceding. Ido Shahar carved Haifa’s defense open as he released Dor Peretz into the box before Maccabi’s captain burst forward but was equaled by Gerafi before Varela curled the ball wide. Two minutes later the deadlock was finally broken as Ivan Kricak just managed to clear from the goalmouth. before Ali Camara could nod home. Haifa’s defense struggled to clear the danger before Osher Davida’s effort was initially saved by Gerafi who could do nothing to keep out Peretz from sweeping the rebound home.

Peretz continued to look dangerous as six minutes after the half hour mark Peretz almost doubled Maccabi’s lead as his shot from the edge of the area struck the base of the post. Two minutes later Maccabi’s other top scorer got his name on the scoresheet as Roy Revivo curled a pinpoint cross into the path of Shahar. The diminutive 24-year-old midfielder then flicked with his head to score his 10th league goal and 14 in all competitions.

Seconds after the fourth official raised his sign for two minutes of added time, Maccabi increased their lead to three with a clinical counter attack. Itamar Noy released the ball out of defense with a pass to Saied Abu Farchi who was in the center circle. Abu Farchi released Shahar who burst forward and passed to Peretz who released Davida. The pacey winger curled a left foot shot which Gerafi couldn’t keep out.

Second Half

Maccabi began the second half where they left off and almost increase their lead on 52. Shahar burst through the middle and saw his shot struck the post and hit Gerafi who managed to save Davida’s headed rebound. Two minutes later however Haifa cut the deficit as Turgeman was released before squeezing a low drive which beat Ofek Melika at the near post to make it 3-1. Revivo tried his luck with a thunderbolt from the edge of the area in the 63rd minute which was punched away by Gerafi who also managed to deny Varela three minutes later. 

Deila made a double substitution in the 77th minute as Raz Shlomo replaced Ben Harush while Sagiv Jehezkel came on for Davida. Shlomo partnered Camara at the heart of defense with Tyrese Asante moving to the right back role. In the 83rd minute, Jehezkel who received the ball from Shahar cut the ball back for Varela who turned and fired a right foot shot into the top corner for the fourth. This was Varela’s final contribution on the night as Deila made three more changes a minute later with Varela, Noy, and Abu Farchi bowing out as Ben Lederman, Elad Madmon and Yonas Malede coming on for the closing stages.

Yoav Mizrahi’s full time whistle ended the contest as Maccabi now have a week before hosting Be’ersheva at Bloomfield.

As Maccabi’s most experienced player in the squad, Dor Peretz has been through a fair share of irregular spells at the club. The 30-year-old Maccabi captain faced the media ahead of the league’s return after an imposed break during the ongoing war with Iran. Reflecting on recent weeks which saw football take a back-seat, Peretz said: “We went through an unusual time. At first, we trained with an Israeli coaching staff. Ronny (Deila) and the staff returned, the foreign players came back, and the energy returned very quickly as well. The work in training and the seriousness reflect the point where we left off before the war. I am very happy with everyone who is here, all focus is on Sunday.”

“At the beginning of the war we were at home with our families,” Peretz added. “The foreign players later gathered in Cyprus, while we were here a few days after the war began. Thankfully, the work here followed the coaching staff’s guidelines, under the direction of Avi Rikan and Israel Kakun we had a great tempo, excellent training sessions, and good energy despite an unusual reality. We are trying to do the best we can, as we always do.”

On the return to league action during wartime, Peretz added: “It is not an ideal situation, let’s be honest. Everyone knows that, but it’s the right decision. We wish we could play in a full stadium without sirens, but that’s not the reality right now. This is the situation, and we have to deliver as much as we can.”

While Ali Camara, Tyrese Asante, Helio Varela and Issouf Sissokho are back with the team, several others are exoected to rejoin in the near future, as Peretz added: “I spoke with all of the foreign players in the first few days. It was important for me to stay in touch and give them confidence. It’s not a pleasant situation, I understand them, and that’s okay. Whoever is here will give their best, and that will be enough.”

On the mental challenge of playing without fans, Peretz admitted: “When there’s no fans we have to push ourselves as much as possible to recover in the best way between matches. There are no second chances.”

Ahead of Sunday’s match at Sammy Ofer, he said: “Hapoel Haifa are a completely different team since January. Our main objective is to win the match and do it in the best possible way. Long-term goals? Right now, in our current situation, that’s not relevant. We need to go game by game and produce the best football we can. There are 12 league matches and two cup games left, there’s no room to drop our standards”.