Category: News

Revivo: “Everyone here is playing for their teammates”

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Roy Revivo completed another 90 on the left side of Maccabi’s defense during the 4-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya at Bloomfield. The victory saw Maccabi secure top spot for at least another week as the gap at the top from second place Hapoel Be’ersheva currently stands on five points.

On his 27th appearance in all competitions this season, Revivo, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday next month, saw his side’s fifth victory in succession. “We are delighted to win five successive league matches which means there is continuity and that suggests that things are working well” Revivo said. “There are many ups and down in football, as just as we had a two-goal lead and conceded then suddenly you remember that everything can happen in football. I know we have a winning team here regardless of tactics as everyone plays for each other, giving it all to win balls which is fun to be part of such a team.”

On the 3-2 victory over Hapoel Hadera which saw Maccabi bounce back from a two-goal deficit to a three-goal comeback, that proceeded the run of victories, Revivo reflected: “I think one should treat every match separately but there was some breaking point at that stage as we were a little confused and didn’t know what to do. Yet we knew how to bounce back which is proof of our mental strength and resilience.”

Revivo, who could have ended the match with a first half spectacular volley, was left at the end of the match to praise Eran Zahavi overhead bicycle kick. “He truly deserves it. I am speechless as he is such an inspiration to everyone in the dressing room. One can see how hard he works whether he is playing or not and at his age I am still learning from him daily on how to work.”

 

 

Zahavi: “It had to be a special goal”

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Eran Zahavi crossed the 200 mark as he scored a brace in the 4-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya on Saturday to lead Maccabi to their fifth league victory in succession. Maccabi’s 20th victory of the season took the point tally to 66 and the number of goals scored to 66 as well. The 37-year-old striker didn’t get carried away as he said at the end of the match: “We did our job and won a very important match tonight especially after beating Hapoel Be’ersheva last week. We kept the first place which is the most important thing and we are looking forward.”

Zahavi, who scored a few spectacular goals in his career, said of his overhead bicycle kick which doubled Maccabi’s lead on the night: “I haven’t scored for a while so it was a special goal but the most important thing is that we won tonight and played well as a team. There was an amazing atmosphere in the stadium and this was my 200th goal for Maccabi so it had to be something special”

Zahavi who made his 10th league start and 37th appearance in all competitions said of his season so far: “The situation was a little new to me and I am dealing with it ok overall. Obviously I would have been happy to play as much as possible but I must respect the coach’s decision and do the best I possibly can when I am on the pitch. This is what I tried to do today and throughout the season. Sometimes it works better and sometimes less, but my job is to be a professional all the way till the end.”

On the race for the title with Hapoel Be’ersheva that are now five points adrift but with a match in hand they will play away to Maccabi Haifa on Monday, Zahavi added: “From my experience we must look only at ourselves, try and win every match and not to look at our rivals. In the end we need to do our job and if we will stick to that in the end we will reach the trophy. We kept the first place for another week which is what we need to do going forward.”

In the 59th minute the fans held banners marking the 59 hostages still held in Gaza and in particular three Maccabi fans – Gali & Zivi Berman as well as Omri Miran. On the fans’ gesture, and Maccabi’ activities throughout this difficult period, the captain summed up: “I am so proud of our club and the way in which it conducts itself ever since October 7th last year. We don’t forget anyone, support the families, those who return from captivity and those who are still there. I am so proud but we must continue and can’t afford to forget anyone as we will continue to do it.”

Lazetic after Netanya

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Maccabi beat Netanya 4-1

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Preview

Maccabi returned to Bloomfield stadium after a three-week absence for the MD29 WINNER League match against Maccabi Netanya. Following the 3-1 victory Hapoel Be’ersheva at Turner, Zarko Lazetic’s side climbed to the top of the standings with 63 points. Lazetic will try guide his charges to a fifth league victory in succession which would increase the lead at the top to five at least until Monday when Be’ersheva face 3rd place Maccabi Haifa.

Lazetic made a single change from the side that won at Turner as Eran Zahavi replaced Dor Turgeman upfront.

Simon Sluga kept his place in goal for the 12th time with Raz Shlomo and Nemanja Stojic lining-up as the two central defenders in front of the Croatian custodian. Tyrese Asante on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s back-four. Issouf Sissokho remained in the anchorman role with Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz completing Maccabi’s midfield trio. Osher Davida who set up two goals at Turner and Weslley Patati who scored two and set up another supplied the width to Maccabi’s formation. Zahavi was making his 10th league start, seeking to add to his 4 league goals and 7 in all competitions this season.

On the bench Lazetic named alongside goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Stav Lemkin, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Joris van Overeem, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Hisham Layous and Ido Shahar.

First Half

Prior to kickoff, two ceremonies were held, the first in memory of Itzik Elgarat (69) a Maccabi fan who was held hostage in Gaza for 510 and was murdered by Hamas. The second ceremony was in memory of former Maccabi and Netanya midfielder, Moshe Gariani, who scored 18 goals in 119 appearances during the 80’s. Maccabi began the match with one mission – scoring an early goal to get the crowd going. Seven minutes from the start the deadlock was broken as Weslley Patati carved Netanya’s defense open with a perfect through ball to Dor Peretz. The midfielder sent a shot come cross in the direction of the far post where Osher Davida tapped the ball home from point blank range.

Seven minutes later Maccabi doubled the lead with a spectacular goal scored by number seven Eran Zahavi. The goal which will compete as one of the goals of the season will also compete as one of the best goals Zahavi scored during his illustrious career. Gabi Kanichowsky brought down on the edge of then area a Tyrese Asante long ball. Kanichowsky then flicked the ball to Peretz who continued with a lopping ball towards Zahavi. The veteran Maccabi striker launched himself in the air and with a spectacular overhead bicycle kick volleyed the ball under the crossbar for his 200th goal in Yellow and Blue. In the 22nd minute Netanya cut the deficit as Itay Ben Shabat rose above Maccabi’s defense to head a cross which beat Simon Sluga as it went in off the crossbar to set the score on 2-1.

Three minutes after the half hour mark, Maccabi restored their two-goal lead. Davida whipped in a pinpoint cross from the left and Zahavi flicked the ball with his head past Omer Nir’on and into the bottom far corner for his second and Maccabi’s third. A Patati cross on 39 was blocked by Netanya’s defense and fell to Revivo whose attempt of a half volley sailed over the crossbar. A minute later referee Yigal Frid awarded Netanya a penalty after Nemanja Stojic was judged to have tripped Daniel Dapaa in the box. But VAR intervened called Frid to the screen before the initial decision was overturned and the penalty cancelled. On the brink of halftime, Sluga was forced to full stretch as he threw himself across goal to claw out a powerful dipping shot by Heriberto Tavares.

Second Half

Lazetic made one change after the internal as Idan Nachmias replaced Tyrese Asante at the restart. A Maccabi counterattack in the 51st minute began with Patati who squared to Kanichowsky before teeing up Zahavi. The 37-year-old lined up his shot from the edge of the area but Nir’on dived to his right and collected with ease. In the 64th minute Lazetic made a double substitution as Joris van Overeem and Dor Turgeman came on for Sissokho and Zahavi.

Four minutes after his introduction Turgeman received a long ball from Stojic and with one touch killed it dead to break into the area before he was brought down by Nikita Stoyanov. Frid pointed at the spot before the 21-year-old striker stepped up and blasted the penalty home to score Maccabi’s fourth his 17th goal of the season. Lazetic made another double change as Kanichowsky and Davida bowed out to a standing ovation with the duo replaced by Ido Shahar and Elad Madmon. Shahar almost scored three minutes after he came on as the diminutive midfielder reacted first to a loose ball but his close range toe poke could only find the side netting. In the 90th minute Patati had the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman raised his flag for offside denying the Brazilian a fifth.

Lazetic ahead of Netanya

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From Prica to Zahavi: 5 goals to ignite your fire

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Patati: “Maccabi is like a family to me”

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The 21-year-old Brazilian who scored his 11th goal in all competitions this season said at the end of the match: “I am delighted with the victory at a match which was very important for us. I hope we continue this way all the way to the championship. It was a vey important match, but there are eight matches still left to play. Every match is very important. We must remain focused but we can still be happy and celebrate the victory today.”

“We have a very good team” Patati said: “We are working very hard every day in order to play this way. We played well and I would like us to continue this way.”

When asked to compare life in Israel and Brazil, Patati added: “The atmosphere at matches are similar, stadiums are full and I would like to thank our fans who travelled here and helped us win the match today.”

Patati who joined Maccabi in the summer from Santos, said of his future plans: “I have a three year contract so I am here. I leave such matters for my agent but I would like to continue playing here as I am very happy here. Maccabi is like a family to me – everyone is helping me all the time including the fans”

Lazetic sums up the victory

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Maccabi beat Beersheva 3-1

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Preview

Maccabi arrived at Turner stadium for the top of the table clash against leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva trailing the hosts by a point in the table. One match into the Playoff, Zarko Lazetic’s side have 60 points from 27 matches while Be’ersheva who had a point deducted by the IFA disciplinary court are on 61. Lazetic who guided Maccabi to a 1-0 victory over Be’ersheva at Bloomfield and saw his side held to a 2-2 draw at Turner was aiming to record a victory at the toughest ground in the league.

Raz Shlomo partnered Nemanja Stojic as the two central defenders in front of goalkeeper Simon Sluga. Tyrese Asante and Roy Revivo completed Maccabi’d defensive line on the right and left respectively. Issouf Sissokho in the anchorman role was named at the bottom of the midfield trio that included Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz. The 29-year-old whose winning goal in May 2018 inflicted Be’ersheva their first ever domestic defeat at Turner stadium, returned from suspension to lead the team out with the captain’s armband. Weslley Patati recovered from an ankle injury and was back in the side on one wing with Osher Davida who scored Maccabi’s opener against Hapoel Haifa before the international break, was named on the opposite flank. Dor Turgeman led the line aiming to increase his goal tally and inflict Be’ersheva their first home defeat this season.

On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, alongside Stav Lemkin, Idan Nachmias, Eran Zahavi, Joris van Overeem, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Hisham Layous and Ido Shahar.

First Half

Maccabi’s players seemed unphased by the sea of red and wall of noise created by the home fans at Turner stadium. The 1530 Maccabi fans who packed the north east corner of the stadium were in a state of delirium after 10 minutes as Wesley Patati Maccabi put Maccabi infront. Raz Shlomo sent a long ball out of defence which Helder Lopez tried to head back to his keeper but Osher Davida latched on the loose ball and charged forward. With only the keeper to beat Davida opted to roll the ball past Niv Eliasi who saved but Patati reacted first and headed in the rebound from point blank range. Five minutes after Maccabi’s opener Dor Turgeman was cautioned by referee Orel Grinfeeld for going down in the box too easily.

In the 23rd minute Guy Mizrahi stopped Patati’s counter attack with a tackle that Grinfeeld ignored but was called by the VAR to the screen before sending off the former Maccabi Youth Academy graduate to leave the hosts with 10 men. A minute after the half hour mark Maccabi were awarded a free kick near the byline as Lopez tripped Davida. Patati turned from scorer to provider as he sent a pinpoint cross to the far post which was met by a Dor Peretz header that doubled Maccabi’s lead and silenced Turner.

Maccabi increased the lead to 3-0 as Peretz found Davida with acres of space down the right before the winger charged forward and squared to Patati who side footed the ball home for his second and Maccabi’s third. Inside injury time Maccabi came inches away from a fourth as Peretz tried a shot from the edge of the area which took a deflection to beat Eliasi but struck the crossbar and bounced out.

Second Half

While Lazetic kept his side unchanged, his opposite number Ran Kuzukh made a double substitution with Matan Baltaxa and Yoni Stoyanov replacing Eliel Peretz and Iuri Medeiros at the restart. Two minutes into the second half Be’ersheva cut the deficit as Kings Kangwa picked the ball inside his own area and ran almost the entire length of the pitch before exchanging passes with Dan Biton and rifling a shot into the top corner. 

Lazetic made his first change as Elad Madmon came on for Dor Turgeman on 59. Roy Revivo nutmegged Be’ersheva opponent to break into the area but saw his effort saved by the keeper. Lazetic made two more changes in the 75th minute as Sissokho and Patati bowed out and were replaced by Joris van Overeem and Eran Zahavi for the closing stages. In the 86th minute Lazetic made two more changes as Tyrese Asante and Davida were replaced by Idan Nachmias and Hisham Layous. 

Madmon could have increased the lead as he charged into the area but was stopped by Eliasi who also saved Zahavi’s powerful drive but nothing could dampen the mood at the final whistle