Category: News

Know your opponent: Bnei Lod

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Maccabi Tel Aviv will begin the State Cup campaign with a visit to Leumit League side Bnei Lod on Saturday at 18:30. Just prior to the match, let’s get to know who the Yellow & Blue go up against in the Round of 32.

Abu Subhi’s Club:
Bnei Lod, coached by Sliman Azabarga plays in the Lod Municipal Stadium which seats 3,000 people. But the person who is always associated with the team, happens to be it’s owner, Mhammad Azberaga, better known as Abu Subhi.

How did they get to this stage in the State Cup?
Lod began its way in the competition last round when they easily defeated Hapoel Kfar Shalem of Liga Alef Darom.

What have they done this season?
After 17 Matchdays in the Leumit League, Lod who usually finds itself in the upper half of the table sits in 11th place with 20 points. They come into the contest with Maccabi having lost 3 of their last 4 league matches. Lod has given up 33 goals which happens to be the most in the Leumit League along with Hapoel Afula.

Key Players:
The most well known name on the Bnei Lod roster is former Maccabi defender Salam Abo Siam. The veteran left back who played in the Champions League with the Yellow & Blue in 2004 is the Lod captain and also the penalty kick specialist. Azabarga also has a pair of prolific attackers in Weal Marisat who played for Ashkelon last season helping the side to Ligat Ha’Al promotion while the second is foreigner Miroslav Antonov who scored 16 goals last campaign with Maccabi Yavne.

39-year old central defender Yair Azulay has played for a number of various clubs over the course of his long career while two Hapoel Beer Sheva players are currently on loan to Lod, Emran Alkrinawi and Mosa Tarabin. Former Premier League strikes Idan Shiriki and Yosef Abu Laben are also part of the squad.

In order to get a better look at Azabarga’s side this season we spoke to Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle Head Coach Amir Turgeman who spoke about Maccabi’s rivals this Saturday night: “Bnei Lod is much better than what the table suggests. You don’t know exactly what to expect from them. They can win 4:0 and also lose 4:0, but one thing is for sure, they will come to fight and play hard. However, they will also come to play football.”

Warning signals:
In the 2011/12 season Lod bounced Beitar Jerusalem from the State Cup Round of 32 when the contest went to penalty kicks (4:3 to Lod) after a goalless draw through 120 minutes. In the Round of 16 Azabarga’s crew fell to Hapoel Tel Aviv 1:3 after extra time.

Under-19 Starlet: Get to know Amit Rosenboim

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After defeating Hapoel Ramat HaSharon away in rough weather last Matchday, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will return to their home facility, the Municipal Stadium in Ramle and host Maccabi Petach Tikva on Matchday 14 of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al. Maccabi will look to move up on the table as they will attempt to cut into the Petach Tikva second place position which they trail by only three points from fourth place.

Immediately following Coach Guy Tzarfati’s final training session prior to the match, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv defender Amit Rosenboim discussed the match ahead, the team’s defensive play along with his own personal preparations he is making before diving into the deep waters of First Team life:

“We had a good tactical training session prior to the match. We all know what we have to do and Guy gave us a good briefing in order to prepare for Saturday’s game. We’ve been playing very well defensively and this goes back to not giving up many goals. It’s true we didn’t play well at the start start of the match, but we knew how to change up our momentum, score and keep the result.

About keeper Omer Kats injury:

“First off, I along with the whole team want to wish him a speedy recovery. We have some very good keepers on our squad and I enliven that whoever will play will grab the opportunity with both hands.”

On facing former coach Ori Uzan who’s now in charge of Petach Tikva:

“We are going to play against Ori who’s a great coach. I’m happy that I had a chance to play play him. We aren’t really focusing on the opponent as we have our own way as both a team and a club.”

Nearing the end of his time in the youth leagues:

“I’m in my last year with the Under-19 side. I’m training a lot and working very hard in order to make it to the next level. It begins with the small things such as eating habits, nutrition, rest and taking care of myself properly. Once you understand that you’ve chosen to be a footballer as a profession you have to give it your all because there isn’t time to chance things up.”

Outside of football, what do you do in your free time?

“I really enjoy being with my family and friends. I can also tell you that playing FIFA is a huge hobby of mine. I also really like music but unfortunately I don’t know how to play any instruments because football takes up most of my time, but I’m sure one day I’ll get the chance.”

Where do you see yourself on five years time?

“Part of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s first team squad.”

Youth Department action, Saturday January 7, 2017

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Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Maccabi Petach Tikva, 12:00, Ramle, Live on Sport5

Guy Tzarfati’s squad will host Maccabi Petach Tikva at the Ramle Stadium on Matchday 14 of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al. The young Yellow & Blue will look to continue their winning streak against their former coach Ori Uzan after picking up a victory last week at Ramat HaSharon.

Hapoel Kiryat Shemona – Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, 09:30, Kiryat Shemona

The Under-17 team will head north with coach Eliezer Ben Aharon as they visit Kiryat Shemona on Matchday 14 of the Under-17 Ligat Ha’Al. The team will look to continue its fine play of late and pick up another win.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Beitar “Shmuel” Jerusalem, 10:30, Kiryat Shalom

With the top of the Under-16 table very crowded, Alon Brumer’s side will host Beitar Jerusalem at Kiryat Shalom, the Yellow & Blue training facility.

Ironi Modiin – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, 12:30, Modiin

In the late Saturday Yellow & Blue Youth Department matchup, the Under-15 South squad will make their way to Modiin for a Matchday 12 contest.

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Raanana, 08:30, Kiryat Shalom

The first match of the Youth Department’s day takes place at a busy Kiryat Shalom as Amir Sofer’s club hosts Hapoel Raanana at 08:30 on Matchday 11.

Here it comes: From Itzhaki’s Kung fu goal to Rosso’s strike

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Maccabi Tel Aviv opens up their State Cup campaign this Saturday evening in the Round of 32 when they visit Leumit side Bnei Lod. Just before the players hit the pitch and begin their journey, let’s take a closer look at some of the great matches the Yellow & Blue have played in the competition.

2002/03: Maccabi Tel Aviv 5:3 Beitar Jerusalem (Round of 32)
Before becoming a coach, Amir Turgeman was a well known scorer in these parts. A hat-trick by the striker added to a goal fest against the capital city side as former Yellow & Blue players Itzik Zohar who scored a brace and Andrej Kubica added a lone marker as well. Do you miss Andreas Prohonenkovs and Bruno Reis? Well the starred that same night at Bloomfield Stadium.

מכבי ת”א -בית”ר 3:5

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