Category: News
Maccabi held to 2-2 in Beersheva
Preview
Maccabi arrived at Turner stadium for the MD17 WINNER League top of the table clash against leaders Hapoel Be’ersheva. With his side only one point adrift of the top, Maccabi’s coach Zarko Lazetic, who is the only one to inflict Be’ersheva a defeat this season, will try emulating the result when both teams last met at Bloomfield. The Serbian coach who rested several key players during the weekend’s Cup victory against Hapoel Jerusalem, made nine changes once again as he welcomed back some of his regular starters.
Roi Mishpati returned to goal, while Raz Shlomo and Roy Revivo were the only two starters from the weekend who kept their place at center and left back respectively. Nemanja Stojic returned to the heart of defense to partner Shlomo, while Idan Nachmias slotted in at right-back to complete Maccabi’s defensive line.
Joris van Overeem, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz formed Maccabi’s midfield trio with the latter leading the team out wearing the captain’s armband. Sagiv Jehezkel, was named on one wing with Weslley Patati on the opposite flank. Dor Turgeman, whose spectacular solo effort decided the match against Be’ersheva at Bloomfield, led the attack. Turgeman will aim to end the barren run of 6 matches without a goal and add to his 5 league goals and 9 in all competitions this season.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Lazetic named, Stav Lemkin, Tyrese Asante, Eran Zahavi, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Issouf Sissokho, Ido Shahar and Osher Davida.
On the bench alongside goalkeeper Simon Sluga, Lazetic named, Stav Lemkin, Tyrese, Eran Zahavi, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Issouf Sissokho, Ido Shahar and Osher Davida.
First Half
A wall of noise and a sea of color welcomed both sets of players onto the pitch as Turner was full to its’ 16000-capacity supplying an atmosphere worthy of a top of the table clash. Maccabi came close to draw first blood in the fifth minute as Dor Turgeman who was sent into the area cut the ball back for Sagiv Jehezkel whose effort was blocked by goalkeeper Niv Eliasi.
In the 22nd minute Gabi Kanichowsky intercepted a ball deep inside Beersheva’s half before releasing Jehezkel into the box. But once again the Maccabi winger had his effort blocked by a defender before his shot could reach the target. A minute later at the opposite end Kings Kangwa burst forward for almost the entire length of the pitch with Roy Revivo tracking back but his shot was blocked by the stretched arm of Mishpati. Be’ersheva continued to look dangerous as Dan Biton had a sight on goal, but the former Maccabi midfielder fired his shot straight at Mishpati.
Maccani reached their best chance in the 40th minute at the end of a team effort which began with Van Overeem breaking Beersheva’s pressure on the edge of Maccabi’s box. Turgeman, rose high to meet Idan Nachmias’ cross but Eliasi stretched himself to claw the ball out for a corner. Three minutes later Eliasi came to Be’ersheva’s rescue as he managed to save Weslley Patati powerful shot before denying the Brazilian winger once again on the stroke of halftime.
Second Half
With no changes at halftime Maccabi began the second half just like they did in the first. Dor Peretz found himself in acres of space inside the Beersheva penalty area. But the hosts’ defense managed to recover in time. Sloppy defending at the opposite end a minute later allowed Biton through, but with only Mishpati to beat he tried lifting the ball over the advancing keeper who collected with ease. In the 56th minute Maccabi edged even closer as Patati’s square ball reached Kanichowsky on the edge of the area before the midfielder’s shot deflected off a defender and struck the base of the post.
A minute after the hour mark Beersheva took the lead as Kangwa picked the ball deep inside Maccabi’s half, took a few touches and released a low drive that beat Mishpati and crept into the bottom corner. Lazetic reacted with a triple substitution in the 70th minute as he introduced Issouf Sissokho, Osher Davida and Eran Zahavi for van Overeem, Peretz and Turgeman.
Lazetic’s changes had an immediate impact as Maccabi were back on level terms three minutes later. Davida burst down the right flank and sent the ball with the outside of his boot across the face of goal allowing Jehezkel to tap the ball home from point blank range. The comeback was complete within two minutes as Sissokho slipped the ball in for Patati who broke into the box, rounded Eliasi and rolled the ball into the open net. The referee assistant raised his flag, and the goal was initially disallowed, but VAR intervened and overturned the decision to confirm the Brazilian’s goal.
Elad Madmon replaced Jehezkel in the 84th minute as Lazetic added a fresh pair of legs to his forward line.
Be’ersheva scored a controversial equalizer inside injury time as Turgeman headed in a Roi Gordana corner despite a clear push on Mishpati inside the six-yard box. Maccabi’s protests didn’t help claiming their keeper was fouled as the goal was confirmed.
Tyrese Asante replaced Roy Revivo for the final few minutes as Lazetic bolstered his defense but seconds later Mishpati pulled a stunning save to deny Miguel Vitor and ensure the spoils are shared.
Shechter, Zahavi and Kanichowsky: Goals to warm up
A numbers game: Preparing for Beersheva
Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be’ersheva met each other in the league 133 times. Maccabi won 64, lost 31 while 38 matches ended in a draw with the total goal tally currently on 187-111.
Be’ersheva hosted Maccabi 64 times of their total 833 league matches at home. Maccabi won 24 league matches away to Be’ersheva as opposed to the hosts winning 21. Maccabi is the only team which has a positive away record against Be’ersheva amongst 26 that faced the Southern side for more than 5 matches.
In 16 league matches at Turner stadium Maccabi has a record of 5 victories, 4 draws and 7 defeats. The highest victory was a 4-0 win on the final day of the 2018/19 season.
Dor Peretz, Ofir Davidzada and Avi Rikan made the most league appearances at Turner with 9 matches each.
Ten players scored for Maccabi at Turner: Dor Perez, Eran Zahavi and Yonatan Cohen scored 2 goals each.
Dor Peretz’s winning goal against Be’ersheva on May 12th 2018 inflicted the Southerners their first ever domestic defeat at Turner.
Wednesday’s match on January 1st will kick start 2025 and will be Maccabi’s 9th match on that date since the State of Israel was founded. Maccabi’s record in those 9 league matches is: 4 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat. Maccabi’s record on the first match of the calendar year (76 in total) currently stands on 48 wins, 14 draws and 14 defeats wit total goal tally of 179-66.
Maccabi’s highest victory on the first match of a calendar year was a 13-0 win over Maccabi Rishon Lezion on January 7th 1950 – Maccabi’s highest victory of all time and Israel’s highest ever victory in the league.
Maccabi heads out for Turner. Watch the trailer
You voted: The top goals for 2024
The BYD sponsored goal of the year project reached the final stage. Thousands of votes chose between 10 nominees who competed for the title Maccabi 2024 goal of the year.
Watched the clip? Now you all know that Dor Peretz’s spectacular and dramatic winner against Bnei Sakhnin was voted as the best goal for 2024. Eran Zahavi’s clinical finish which led Maccabi to victory in last season’s derby came second, while Dor Turgeman’s solo effort against Hapoel Be’ersheva at Bloomfield finished third.
Who will win a new TV set?
On Wednesday January 1st 2025 at 17:00 the voters will receive a text message containing the prize question. The first person to answer correctly will be the winner of a 65’ TV set as a gift from BYD. Remember to have your mobiles available!
Maccabi’s emotional candle lighting
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC held this evening (Monday) a candle lighting event at Bloomfield stadium. Organized by the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation, the event which was staged for the second season in succession at Bloomfield’s VIP lounge. The ceremony was attended by families of fans who were murdered, killed, or kidnapped during the deadly attack on October 7th or in the Swords of Iron war since, the first team playing and coaching staff as well as club’s management.
This year, in a bid to acknowledge the contribution of members of our community, eight guests were invited symbolizing the 8 candles in Hannukah, whose actions represent values of unconditional giving and courage. Such values strengthen our foundations as a community.
Members of the Maccabi community who received the honor this year was Dr Osnat Levzion-Korach (General Director of Shamir Medical Center), Ido Shimriz (brother of Alon Shamriz who was taken hostage from Kfar Aza and after escaping his captives was mistakenly shot dead by IDF soldiers on Dec 15th 2023), Dvir Dangur, Dudu Brown, Carmi Yogev, Nira Shpak as well as Mandy and Tom Damari the mother and brother of Emmily who is still held hostage for 451 days.
During the event, which was hosted by Yossiel Ne’eman, Maccabi’s CEO, Ben Mansford, said amongst other things: “We try and do our best to try put a smile on your faces, especially on the pitch and I’m so proud that we have already secured two titles this season and continue to fly the Maccabi and Israeli flag abroad, and in doing so, I believe Zarko and the Players are showing the real Maccabee spirit. What we can promise you all again – is that we will continue to do our best to support you and your loved ones, honoring their memory or assisting their recovery.”
Dr Osnat Lezion Korach, General Director of Shamir Medical Center, said: “After October 7th and in addition to treating soldiers, we opened a medical center for civilians, survivors of the Nova festival, and members of the security forces suffering from PTSD. The amazing results give us all hope to many people who might be living in a healthy body but they are mentally scarred. We are all geared up and prepared to treat the hostages once they return and will do so with the utmost sensitivity and care.”
Lazetic ahead of Hapoel Beersheva
“They have an excellent season but we know how to cope”
Gabi Kanichowsky scored three goals in all competitions this season yet the 27-year-old midfielder was involved in 12 goals in total as he assisted in another nine goals.
Ahead of the top-of-the-table clash away to Hapoel Be’ersheva, that suffered their only league defeat when both teams last et at Bloomfield, Kanichowsky said: “If you want to win the league title every match is important. Obviously when you play a match against the team that is currently ahead of you in the table there is more interest. Before every game we play the coach tells us how important the match is and that it is like a Cu Final. We will continue in this way.”
Kanichowsky who was given a much needed rest during the State Cup tie against Hapoel Jerusalem where he made a late substitute appearance on his 28th competitive match for Maccabi in all competitions this season, added: “It is always fun to watch your teammates play well especially those who don’t get to play on a regular basis but get a chance and prove themselves. This is important for the squad especially on such a long, intense and demanding season.”
Ahead of Be’ersheva, Kanichowsky said: “Be’ersheva is always a tough match as they are very aggressive especially at home in front of their own crowd. It seems that lately we managed to overcome the fatigue and win matches even though we didn’t look that good during spells. I expect to have such minutes against Beersheva on Wednesday which we would need to overcome. Matches are all about momentum and we know hoe to manage that better from the start of the season.”
On the challenge he might face against Be’ersheva’s midfielders, Kanichowsky was adamant: “They are doing a good job this season, but wit all due respect to them, we are playing in Europe and dealing with top players. I trust my teammates and think that they are the best in the country so in that respect I am relaxed.”
With regards to his future, Kanichowsky concluded: “For the moment I am fully focused on Wednesday. I am not hiding the fact that I have a dream to play abroad but in Maccabi I have a very warm home here – I am playing in the Europa League and challenging for all titles. I am at an age where not everywhere is good for me, so unless something drastic happens, I am here now and running nowhere”.
