The March international break is underway, as Maccabi’s players will be in action as part of the various national teams. The international roll-call will include:
Dor Peretz, Roy Revivo, and Itamar Noy are all part of Ran Ben Shimon’s National Team squad as Israel’s senior side face Georgia for a friendly at the Mikheil Meskhi stadium in Tbilisi on Thursday March 26th at 19:00.

Ofek Melika, Noam Ben Harush, and Saied Abu Farchi are all included in Israel’s U21 national team which will face a Hungary U21 side for a friendly at the Pancho Arena in Felcsut Hungary at 21:30 on Thursday. The Maccabi trio are all set to feature in Guy Luzon’s U21’s which will host their Group 9 European Championship qualifier against Bosnia at the BSC Stadium in Budaörs Hungary next Tuesday (March 31st).

Ilay Ben Simon is with the Israel U-18 national team playing the elite qualifying round of the U-18 European Championship qualifying campaign, where Ofir Haim’s side will face Austria, Germany, and Bosnia.
In addition to Ben Simon, other representatives from the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team in the squad are: Noam Levy, Leroy Abrebaya, and Yehonatan Kotzer.
March 25th – Israel U18’s v Austria U18’s
March 28th – Germany U18’s v Israel U18’s
March 31st – Bosnia and Herzegovina U18’s v Israel U18’s
(all matches in Austria)

The IPFL board announced today , its decision to return to league action on the weekend of April 4th. In accordance with Home Front Command guidelines, the matches will be played at this stage behind closed doors and with only a limited number of officials present (up to 150 per match).

Maccabi’s State Cup Semi-final against Maccabi Haifa will take place on April 15th.

We hope to see you back in the stands as soon as possible, and we pray for quieter and safer days ahead.

Match dates:
MD 25, Sunday, April 5th: Hapoel Haifa v Maccabi Tel Aviv, (Sammy Ofer, 20:15)

MD26, Sunday, April 12th: Maccabi Tel Aviv v Hapoel Be’ersheva, (Bloomfield, 20:30)

First Half:

Twenty minutes from the start Osher Davida broke into the Petah Tikva box from the right before he was brought down inside the area but referee Aviel Levy decided it wasn’t worthy of a penalty.

Five minutes later the deadlock was broken as Issouf Sissokho won possession deep inside Petah Tikva’s half before bursting into the area. The 24-year-old Malian midfielder squared to towards Davida who swept the ball home past Omer Katz.

Second Half:

Maccabi’s assistant coach Avi Rikan made four changes at the restart as Roi Mishpati replaced Ofek Melika in goal. Noam Ben Harush came on for Yonas Malede and slotted into the right back role with Sagiv Jehezkel pushing forward. Itamar Noy replaced Sissokho with Ido Shahar coming on for Kervin Andrade.

In the 51st ninute Petah Tikva were back on level terms after Shavit Mazal swept in a square ball past Mishpati. Ilay Ben Simon replaced Sagiv Jehezkel just before the hour mark. Rikan made another triple substitution as Liran Spiegel stepped in for Roy Revivo, Ben Lederman replaces Dor Peretz while Elad Madmon came on for Saied Abu Farchi.

In the 66th ninute Maccabi restored their lead as Petah Tikva’s substitute keeper Shahar Amsalem managed to save Shahar’s powerful drive but could do nothing to leep out Ben Simon rebound.

Yoav Junio replaced Davida for the final 20 minutes while Noam Levy stepped in for Itay Ben Hemo five minutes later.

In the 79th minute Petah Tikva levelled the score once again after Ari Cohen volleyed in Noam Cohen’s knock down to set the score at 2-2.

Maccabi: Ofek Melika (Roi Mishpati 46), Sagiv Jehezkel, Itay Ben Hemo (Noam Levy 75), Idan Weinberg, Roy Revivo (Liran Spiegel 60), Issouf Sissokho (Itamar Noy 46), Dor Peretz (Ben Lederman 61), Kervin Andrade (Ido Shahar 46), Osher Davida (Yoav Junio 70), Yonas Malede (Noam Ben Harush 46), Saied Abu Farchi (Elad Madmon 61).

An exchange of passes between Kervin Andrade and Dor Peretz in the opening minute of the game set up Itamar Noy who swept the ball home in the opening minute.

On the stroke of halftime, Yonas Malede who came on for Kervin Andrade in the 33^rd minute was sent through by Noam Ben Harush. Malede charged into the area and was tripped by goalkeeper Nadav Zamir before referee Gal Levy awarded a penalty. Saied Abu Farchi stepped up and slotted the penalty past Zamir to double Maccabi’s lead.

In the absence of most of the foreign contingent who are currently training in Cyprus, assistant coach Avi Rikan made several changes at the interval.

Roi Mishpati replaced Ofek Melika, Ben Lederman came on for Issouf Sissokho while Ido Shahar replaced Dor Peretz.

Hapoel Jerusalem cut the deficit as Noy lost possession on the edge of the area before Ohad Almagor fired past Mishpati to cut the deficit.

Abu Farchi came close to score Maccabi’s third and double his tally as he headed a Malede cross against the post.  

Several youth team players were introduced in the closing stages and gained important experience at senior level.

Maccabi: Ofek Melika(Roi Mishpati 46), Noam Ben Harush (Yoav Junio 71), Itay Ben Hemo (Noam Levy 71), Idan Weinberg, Roy Revivo (Yehonatan Kotzer 56), Issouf Sissokho (Ben Lederman 46), Dor Peretz (Ido Shahar 46),  Itamar Noy (Ilay Ben Simon 64), Kervin Andrade (Yonas Malede 33, Itai Zafrani 83), Osher Davida (Sagiv Jehezkel 55), Saied Abu Farchi (Elad Madmon 64).

Itamar Noy, returns to face his former club as Maccabi travel to Sammy Ofer on Saturday for what will be the penultimate match of the regular season.

The 24-year-old made 36 appearances in all competitions since joining Maccabi from Hapoel Haifa. Noy, who saw his former club salvage a draw away to league leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva in the last round, admitted: “We watched their match against Be’ersheva. Hapoel Haifa made some good reinforcements and brought in quite a few players, but we’re focused on ourselves. All of our focus needs to be on our tasks and our approach. If we bring what we expect from ourselves, things will work out well.”

Noy, who played in all but one of the six matches under Ronny Deila, said of the managerial change: “Generally speaking, it is something less tactical, the energy is very good right now. You can see the intensity, the passion, and the tempo in training. There are new emphases the coach has brought in, and the system is a bit different. We are trying to adapt ourselves to what he brings, we’re happy to learn from him, to progress and to improve every day.”

Noy, who is aware of the fact teams have been setting up against Maccabi, said: “All season, our opponents have come to face us after playing against Be’ersheva. Teams defend against us in a fairly similar way. We’re preparing for that, the key points that will help us deal with compact defenses. We will try to play as fast as possible, stretch the pitch and cope with the density. I hope we’ll do it in the best way possible.”

As a versatile player who has featured in several positions across the midfield, Noy admitted; “Throughout my career I haven’t been playing as a holding midfielder in the number 6 position. But today I feel very comfortable playing in all midfield positions. It is something I have developed over the years, the ability to play in every role. Wherever I am needed, I will know how to make the adjustments, and I will try to do the best I can.”

Noy, who scored two goals and added three assists for Maccabi this season, spoke of his personal targets: “There are many things to improve. I try to work hard and progress. Both this coaching staff and the previous one operate at a very high training level, that is something I hadn’t experienced before. Obviously, I want to improve personally, but first and foremost is helping the team. To take Maccabi to the places it truly belongs.”

As a player who in the past lined-up against Maccabi, Noy, is aware of what to expect on Saturday: “Every player who comes to play against Maccabi knows what it means to have a good game against Maccabi, the entire country is watching, and it is significant for your career. I have friends there who will try to get as much as they can out of the game, like any team that plays against us. We are not dealing with that, as we will continue to do our job and hopefully things will work out.”

With Maccabi currently third on 46 points, nine adrift of leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva, Noy focused on the immediate task rather than get drawn to discuss the title race: “I think that in the life of athletes there’s always a long-term goal, but we focus on the daily actions. What is relevant right now is to come to the next match and beat Hapoel Haifa. Then we have Be’ersheva, to connect another win and another win. I believe that with momentum it becomes easier to set higher goals.”

Emir Sahiti is continuing his good run of form at Maccabi as he scored one and assisted another in the 3-2 victory over Ashdod at Bloomfield. The 27-year-old winger who joined Maccabi in January on loan from German side Hamburg, has now netted his fourth goal in five outings. “As a team, we played a good game. Like I said two days ago, we had to win this match and take the three points. It was important for us to win. On top of that, to score and provide an assist, that’s the best feeling.”

Despite taking a 3-1 lead shortly after the interval, Maccabi conceded a second midway through the second half which led to some nervous moments towards the end as Sahiti reflected: “The coach will work with us and show us in the meetings where we can improve. We played at home with a great atmosphere. We need to be calmer and play our game because there’s a lot of quality in our team.”

Since Sahiti joined Maccabi scored 16 goals with the the 0-0 draw away to Beitar Jerusalem beung the only time they didn’t find the back of the net: “We create a lot of chances that we can score from. We need to score more before the 60th minute, but that’s football, sometimes you score and sometimes you don’t. We need to be more focused.”

On a personal level, Sahiti added: “I came here to give my very best for Maccabi. I need to stay focused in every match and not think about the summer. In the summer we’ll see what happens. I’m happy here, the guys are professionals and I feel very good. Whatever the coach decides. I’ve played more on the right wing, but I can play on both sides. The coach will decide where I can help the team win.”

As Maccabi remain points adrift of leaders Hapoel Beersheva that have a game in hand, Sahiti said: “We need to focus on the next match, not on the title. Game by game.”
Sahiti admitted he discussed the possibility of joining Maccabi with former teammates at Hamburg Daniel Peretz, as he shared: “He wished me the best of luck. He told me there’s a great history and great fans here. That the players are high quality, and I saw that from the first day I arrived. I’m very happy to be here, and what he told me was accurate.”