In a meeting which was held by the UEFA Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body on Friday February 23rd, a decision was reached for a partial closure to sections of the Upper East stand at the Netanya Stadium during Maccabi Tel Aviv FC’s next European home match.

The decision was made as a punishment for racist behavoir by fans from this area of the Stadium during the UEFA Europa League home match against Dundalk of Ireland and was noted in the match report by the UEFA delegate.

According to UEFA’s decision, sections 603-607 of the Upper East Stand will be closed and a banner with the word “RESPECT” on it will be displayed in this area over  the course of the next European home match.

Despite the punishment that was handed down by UEFA, and following the understandings reached between the Club’s management and fans which led to a positive atmosphere at the Stadium with unprecedented support for the team that has not led to any disciplinary action – the Club hopes that this will continue throughout the current season and for the future seasons to come.

Maccabi has now collected 50 points following their victory over Bnei Yehuda on Matchday 24 and have closed the gap with Beer Sheva. On Matchday 13, December 10, 2016, the gap stood at ten points. The Yellow & Blue won their 6th home match in a row in league play and the last time they had this type of streak was between February and May 2015.

Icelandic Action
Vidar Kjartansson scored his 15th league goal and also widened the gap between himself and Tony Nwakaeme who sits in second place with 11 markers.

Over the last 10 matches in all competitions, Vidar has scored 12 goals. The Icelander for the 11th time in a row, scored with a one-touch immediately after receiving a pass.

Itzhaki Difference
Barak Itzhaki scored his 5th league goal this season and his second in the last three matches. The striker continues to excel at scoring his team’s first goal as four of his strikes were match openers (against Hapoel Kfar Saba, Ashdod, Maccabi Petah Tikva, Bnei Yehuda).

King of Assists
Dor Micha recorded his 8th assist in league action and his 10th overall. With last night’s performance he now leads the league after passing Mahran Radi who has seven.

Ruben Micael picked up his first helper in Israel against Bnei Yehuda and has also been in the Starting XI for the 4th straight contest.

Shutout
Maccabi Tel Aviv picked up their 5th clean sheet in a row and Sheran Yeini also kept up his fine record. The Captain hasn’t been on the pitch for a goal in a match that he was in the Starting XI.

Keeping the Tradition
Kjartansson’s 92nd minute goal was Maccabi’s 13th marker against Bnei Yehuda that was scored during injury time, more than any other one of the Yellow & Blue’s foes. In total, Maccabi has scored 106 injury time goals.

Dasa’s Yellow
Eli Dasa picked up his 5th yellow card. After playing on all 24 Matchdays this season, the right back will miss the next league contest which will be played against Hapoel Ashkelon. However, Dasa will be available to play in the State Cup Quarterfinal on Wednesday.

Dor Micha, the Yellow & Blue midfielder looked back at his side’s 2:0 win against Bnei Yehuda on Matchday 24 of the Ligat Ha’Al. Number 15 spoke about the pressure that’s now on Beer Sheva, his defensive play on the pitch and the match itself:

“We opened up the match very intensely and we didn’t stop running for the first 30 minutes as we put pressure all over the pitch. We played very well. So it’s just natural that we would slow down a bit in the second half but we kept the clean sheet and scored at the end to seal the deal.”

Playing more defensively:

“It’s a combination of the coach and myself. I’m playing a position that requires me to play more defensively so I’m going to give it all on the pitch. I’m happy it’s going well.”

Pressure on Beer Sheva:

“The pressure is now on Beer Sheva, though I don’t believe they will lose points, but anything can happen. I’m happy that we did what we had to do.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv keeps rolling on and so does Barak Itzhaki. The striker started the match and scored the Yellow & Blue’s first goal in the 2:0 victory over Bnei Yehuda on Matchday 24 of the Ligat Ha’Al.

Number 10 discussed the fact that Maccabi is now level on points with Hapoel Beer Sheva:
“This was a very important match especially since they are playing after us. Our biggest goal is to continue to win and not look at what they are doing. We have to do our job and we are focusing on just that. We have to continue to improve and keep picking up points.”

On his fitness:
“I felt like I was in good shape at the start of the season. I didn’t play much then but every coach has their way. I am never one to complain. I’m really happy that both Jordi and Lito believe in me and I’m thrilled that I can give back on the pitch.”

Lito Vidigal, the Yellow & Blue boss spoke to the media following his side’s 2:0 win over Bnei Yehuda. The Angolan talked about the Israeli league, the Starting XI and the game itself:

“It was a tough game against a very good team with good organization who defended deeper. It was hard to find the space but we scored two goals and we had a chance for others, but most importantly we took the win and the three points. The players played with passion and with soul and took the three points.”

Working as a team:

“We worked as a team today and sometimes some players show quality, but when we play like a team, it makes it easier for us to win games.”

Creating chances:

“Maybe, but we had the chances and Vidar perhaps didn’t have the chances but other players did. Again most importantly we played as a team. When we play together, fight together and work together as a team then we play well.”

The same Starting XI every match?

“Of course not. We work every week and we then make choices. If we choose these players it’s because they showed the in the training session that they deserved to play and they may have been bette that others. I believe in all of the players.”

Late substitutions:

“Maybe I chose the right moment because we ended up scoring.”

Fighting together:

“We have to work and fight to win our games, that’s what is most important. We have to always focus on the next game. But most importantly was our supporters. They helped us a lot to win this game. I have to say congratulating to Bnei Yehuda and their coach, we may have won but they made us suffer a little.”

About the Israeli league:

“I think it’s a very good league and a difficult one. I like the football here and I’m learning about the teams and coaches. I know I’ve only been here for a little bit, but this is Maccabi and we to win every game.”

The Yellow & Blue took home the victory and three points against Bnei Yehuda to draw even with Hapoel Beer Sheva at the top of the table thanks to goals by Barak Itzhaki and Vidar Kjartansson. Maccabi will now get ready for the second leg Quarterfinal clash versus Maccabi Petach Tikva on Wednesday night.

Head Coach Lito Vidigal went with the same Starting XI from last Matchday as Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic was in goal along with Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Tal Ben Haim and Captain Sheran Yeini in front of him. Gal Alberman was the defensive midfielder with Ruben Micael and Dor Micha playing beside him while Tal Ben Chaim, Barak Itzhaki and Vidar Kjartansson provided the attack up front.

Available on the bench for the Angolan boss were keeper Daniel Lifshitz, Eliel Peretz, Yossi Benayoun, Marcelo dos Santos, Egor Filipenka, Oscar Scarione, Yuval Shpungin.

First Half
Maccabi began the match with plenty of gusto and took an early lead by the 10th minute. Defender Ben Haim sent Micael the ball who threaded the needle right to Itzhaki who found the far corner and the back of the goal to give the Yellow & Blue a 1:0 lead. Micha almost doubled the score a minute later but his attempt went out.

Winger Ben Chaim produced the next chance minutes after that but his intelligent chip hit the bar while in the 21st minute a double pass between Micha and Micael ended with a chance by the Portugal native but the Bnei Yehuda keeper Haikin pushed the ball away for a corner.

Bnei Yehuda then took control of the match as the visitors looked for the equalizer and in the 37th minute they almost found it via Roie Gordana but his effort missed the mark. Two minutes later, Itzhaki tried his luck again from 22 meters out but Haikin was in the right place to make the save as the sides went into the break with Maccabi holding a 1:0 lead.

Second Half
The Yellow & Blue looked to get another goal on the board and almost did exactly that when Micael sent Dasa a terrific ball, but the defender’s tough angle shot missed the target while two minutes later Micha’s 20-meter attempt was caught by the keeper. In the 64th minute, Micael gave Ben Chaim a brilliant ball but his chance went over the goal.

Bnei Yehuda began taking control of the contest but Coach Vidigal made a number of substitutions inserting Oscar Scarione, Eliel Peretz and Yossi Benayoun who helped Maccabi regain possession. Finally in the 92nd minute Kjaratansson sealed the deal as Benayoun gave Micha a nice ball who in turn crossed it to the Icelander and found the back of the goal for a 2:0 win.