Coach
Yuval Naim is still the man of the hour for Ashkelon and is one of the stars of the show. Last season, Naim was able to guide his squad to another campaign in the promised land after very few experts gave them a chance of staying up in the Premier League. So far this season Naim has been able to capitalize on the experience earned and will look to ensure that his club doesn’t have to go through a tough relegation battle as they did last year.

Comings & Goings
Naim made a number of signings over the summer and upgraded his squad with the likes of Elad Gabbay, Oz Raly and Tal Ayala who was with Hapoel Kfar Saba last season. In addition, Saar Benbenishti, Sean Malca, Ramzi Sfori and La Liga veteran Milan Smiljanić also joined the team. There were also a number of players who departed including Isso Lingane, Raz Meir, David Manga and Tomer Suissa.

What they’ve done so far
Unlike last season when Ashkelon was battling against relegation, they are currently sitting in 7th place with 7 points after 5 Matchdays. After a slow start, Naim’s side currently has a two match win streak after picking up victories against Hapoel Acre and Hapoel Raanana.

Under the magnifying glass
Is this Tal Ayala’s season? Last campaign with Hapoel Kfar Saba, the attacking midfielder wasn’t able to reach the potential that he seems to be striving for so far this season. Ayala is currently in fine form and has scored 3 goals while adding an assist. Mirko Oremus also has three markers while former Maccabi man Rudy Hadad who was a lock in Naim’s lineup last season, has been a critical component so far this campaign as well.

Last season against Maccabi
Matchday 12: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Ashkelon 0:0
Matchday 25: Hapoel Ashkelon – Maccabi Tel Aviv

Sheran Yeini, the Yellow & Blue captain looked back at the match against Villarreal and the confidence that the squad is gaining:

“We’re gaining confidence and we played against a very high level club in a match that could have gone either way. Both sides had some chances and I’m sure it was a fun game to watch. We gave everything we had and we are happy with how we are moving forward.”

Importance of the fans:
“The fans were amazing as they were against Maccabi Haifa. We feel that we building something good here as do the fans and they are giving us great support. We hope are giving them some happiness when they come to the stadium and I hope that this just continues on.”

Lots of matches in a short period of time and the quality of the squad:
“We are used to having to play many matches more so than other clubs even in Europe, more than 60 games which we have done over the past few seasons. So we are used to it. We have a big squad with some excellent foreign players as well as naturalized Israelis. I’m so satisfied and happy with their performance and what they give us on the pitch. It’s too bad we have had a number of injured players and each player could be in the starting lineup. All in all I’m very satisfied.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv will visit Hapoel Ashkelon on Sunday on Matchday 6 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al and following the contest seven players will head to their respective national teams. Elisha Levy published his Israel national team squad for the away match at Liechtenstein on October 6 and Spain at home on October 9 that will end the Blue & White’s 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign.

Eliran Atar, who rejoined the Yellow & Blue during this past transfer window along with Tal Ben Haim, Ofir Davidzada and Eitan Tibi will all be playing in the final two matches.

Predrag Rajikovic was called up to the Serbian National Team for their games against Austria and Georgia in Group D action and one victory will guarantee them a place in Russia.

Vidar Kjartansson will join his Icelandic teammates in Group I and have 16 points the same amount as Croatia. Iceland will visit Turkey where one point will keep them in 2nd place and host Kosovo which on paper should be 3 points.

Egor Filipenka and Belarus have two tough encounters when they play Group A Action against Holland and France.

Maccabi Tel Aviv drew 0:0 with Spanish outfit Villarreal on Matchday 2 of the Europa League. Central defender Tal Ben Haim summed up the experience as to how he along with his teammates felt about the match:

“There are mixed feelings. We are happy that we didn’t give up a goal, but we were a bit tired from Sunday’s match against Maccabi Haifa. After picking up a red card and leaving only ten men on the pitch for a half, that perhaps left some of our offensive play on the tired side. I believe that if we continue this way and everyone gives it their all, the goals will come. We are a bit disappointed even though we played against an excellent side. It’s the second match in a row that the players put on a performance. An experience.”

The group stage battle:
“This is only the second match. Of course we are disappointed with the result at Slavia Prague as we had enough chances to score but we are just at the beginning of the campaign and there are more matches to pick up points from.”

Maccabi’s play:
“At the start of the match we played very well and we showed our quality and we pressed. I believe that the players gave it their all, as well as the fans and this is the way that we need to continue to play.” 

Looking ahead to the Ashkelon match:
“They are an excellent club and they have shown it this season. We will prepare for this match in all seriousness and right now this is the most important game we have coming up.”

Jordi Cruyff, the Yellow & Blue boss looked back at the 0:0 home draw against La Liga outfit Villarreal on Matchday 2 of the Europa League Group Stages:

“I’m satisfied with the result and before the game I would have been happy with the result. We came out strong, we were disciplined and I think the players felt tiredness from Sunday’s match. I’m happy with the effort and satisfied with the result and our fans in this game.”

Maccabi’s style of play:
“You can’t compare the leagues but we were energetic, had an offensive lineup, tried to attack and were very disciplined to record the clean sheet.”

Looking towards Spain as a potential destination:
“I’ve never really thought about it. Spanish is my first language and I consider it to be my home and that is where I feel associated with and I’m happy that I gave a good impression.”

Two matches in a row without scoring a goal:
“We had a very good game against Maccabi Haifa and hit two posts the ball didn’t go in. The week before we scored 3 goals and didn’t play well. We have to continue to play well.

About Eliran Atar:
“He has matured and he is playing very responsible both offensive and defensive. Without a huge effort from the wingers you can’t take anything.”

Villarreal’s performance:
“They are a great team with a lot of quality and they opened the game well but Maccabi was able to handle the attack. However, they are an excellent team.”

Going back to the Israeli League:
“Teams who win are the ones with the better defensive stats and you’ll see that in 90% of the cases. It we have to play as a team, attack and defend and play like a team. The players had to have the discipline and of course we want to be more dominant in the midfield, but we are still missing some players.”

Chances in Europe going forward:
“The away game was tough as was this one. We are in a tough group and we are facing teams with a lot of European experience. We will need to take points especially in the next home match if we want to advance out of the group.”

Eli Dasa’s injury situation:
“He was in Paris for treatment that he was comfortable with how it has been going. He flew back again which was planned.”

Hapoel Ashkelon match on Sunday:
“This will be a tough game and this is the most important game for us coming up. We have to be fresh and be ready to battle. Yuval Naim gave us a tough time last season and he always makes it difficult. We must be ready.”

The Yellow & Blue stood toe to toe against La Liga side Villarreal on Matchday 2 of the Europa League as they were able to pick up their first point of the competition in a goalless draw. Maccabi will now prepare to face Hapoel Ashkelon on Matchday 6 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al on Sunday Away at 20:45

Head Coach Jordi Cruyff’s Starting Lineup included Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic along with a defensive quartet of Yuval Shpungin, Jean-Sylvain Babin, Tal Ben Haim and Ofir Davidzada. Captain Sheran Yeini manned the midfield along with Tino-Sven Susic and Cristian Battocchio while Nick Blackman, Eliran Atar and Vidar Kjartansson provided the attack.

Available on the bench were keeper Daniel Tenenbaum, Avi Rikan, Eitan Tibi, Omer Atzily, Barak Itzhaki, Egor Filipenka and Dor Peretz.

First Half
Maccabi took control of the first ten minutes as Battocchio lifted a ball into the box that Vidar couldn’t get a good shot off as the keeper made the save in the 3’. Ten minutes later Villarreal began to press Maccabi and created a pair of dangerous chances for Cédric Bakambu which he couldn’t convert.

Carlos Bacca took a strong shot from the left side of the box that Babin got a foot on to send out in the 21’ while the same Bacca tried his luck from the top of the box five minutes later but his weak shot was collected by Rajikovic. Yeini had a chance in the box but his shot just went wide right of the goal in the 39’ while Atar took a give and go from Susic and put his ball just by the right post one minute later. The half ended goalless as the sides went into the break.

Second Half
In the 48’ Babin’s shot in the box was blocked by a Villarreal defender, while two minutes later the visitors had a good chance by Roberto Soriano but his attempt just missed the target. Atar tried his luck from outside of the box in the 56’ minute but his effort went over the goal and a minute later Jaume Costa was booked and handed a yellow card.

Bakambu sent a deep ball to Bacca in the 60’ but his shot went wide while a minute later his chance from the top of the box was collected by Rajikovic. Maccabi then made a pair of substitutions bringing on Dor Peretz for Susic and Omer Atzily in favor of Atar while Villarreal countered by introducing Samuel Castillejo for Soriano.

Cruyff made his his third and final substitute of the contest in the 86’ as he brought on Barak Itzhaki for Kjartansson, however, neither side could find the back of the goal on this night as the match ended in a goalless draw, 0:0.

Maccabi Tel Aviv continues league play on Sunday October 15th at home when they host Bnei Yehuda at 20:15 at the Netanya Stadium. Tickets are now on sale so come and cheer on the Yellow & Blue.

Maccabi fans may purchase tickets for the following sections: West Stand, 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)
E+ – 205 NIS
Silver – 405 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.