Following Maccabi’s big 6:0 win over Maccabi Haifa at Bloomfield, Avi Rikan spoke about the game that was: “We knew going into the match that our destiny wasn’t in our hands and that we’d have to win and then pray. We did what we had to. It was the last match at Bloomfield for the foreseeable future and we’re happy that we said goodbye with a tremendous performance.”

Murmurs from the crowd:

“Before the match we spoke about really not thinking about the game that was going on at Turner Stadium, but you couldn’t tune it all out and we tried our best not to be influenced by the fans. We did what we had to do. They finished the season with 83 points and we took home 81.”

Preparing for the Cup:

“We have to win the match. We don’t need to talk about motivation, especially after our performance today. Teddy will be packed and the atmosphere will be amazing.”

Dropping the title:

“You could say that we drew a lot of matches and that hurt us, but we still finished off with 81 points. Beer Sheva was extremely competitive and we had a good year and we also played in the Champions League, we had plenty of big games each and every one of us. At the beginning of the year I would’ve thought that 81 points would be enough, but I was wrong.”

Next season:

“Losing the title this year will push me to want to win on the coming campaigns. We had a good year. Something dramatic would have to happen for me to leave. This last match has just whetted my appetite to want to win some titles with Maccabi.”

Peter Bosz, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s head coach addressed the media following the final Matchday of the season after his club defeated Maccabi Haifa 6:0 as the team closed out a 16-year run at Bloomfield Stadium in style. He also discussed Tel Aviv, the battle for the title and wished congratulations to Beer Sheva:

“I congratulate Beer Sheva who have won the championship. They had more points than us and they had a fantatsic season. I told the players to focus on this game and not on Beer Sheva. We put on a show for our fans and we had a terrific performance.”

The upcoming State Cup:

“They will have five different players on Tuesday and it will be a totally different game. I’m sure they won’t be very happy when they get back on the bus to Haifa.”

Congratulations to Beer Sheva:

“Beer Sheva won the championship and they had so many points. They deserved to be champions.”

Proud of the club:

“I’m proud of the team as to the way they performed and how they played both in the league and the Cup. I would’ve preferred to lose some games and win the championship.”

The battle for the title:

“When you work at a top club you have to win and win titles. When I came we were behind Beer Sheva and then we were 5-points behind, but we couldn’t win the championship. We now have a Cup to play for.”

Being a coach in Tel Aviv:

“I would recommend Tel Aviv to anyone. We love it here, the people are friendly and it’s a great to be a coach in Tel Aviv.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv today announce that club Chief Executive Martin Bain will leave the Club at the end of June to take up a new role as Chief Executive of English Premier League Club Sunderland AFC .

Bain commented: “It has been a very tough decision to leave a Club that I have grown to love during my time in Israel. Maccabi has enjoyed tremendous success in recent years and I am convinced that the Club has enormous potential to achieve further success both on and off the pitch. I am firmly of the opinion that the owner of a Club sets the tone and culture of the organization and in Mitch Goldhar the Club is very fortunate to have someone who is committed to building the proper culture for a successful Israeli and European Club. I would personally like to thank him for allowing me the privilege, the support and the opportunity to be part of a truly unique club. Special nights at Bloomfield, incredible supporters, electric atmosphere and the wonderful people I have worked with will be memories I will cherish and Israel will always be a special place for me as I look forward to my next challenge in the English Premier League.“

Club owner Mitch Goldhar said “ We are disappointed Martin has decided to move on as I highly appreciate the work he has done in the last two seasons for the Club. Martin was an exceptional CEO and a fine individual with whom I enjoyed working with. We had a conversation a number of weeks ago and work has already begun looking for his replacement. It is important to continue the hard work as there are many things we need to do both on and off the pitch to ensure that the Club continues to make the necessary progress. On behalf of everyone connected to Maccabi I would like to thank Martin and wish him best of luck in his new role.

The Yellow & Blue made sure to leave Bloomfield Stadium with a bang before their 3-year move to Netanya by overpowering Maccabi Haifa 6:0 led by an Eran Zahavi hattrick, along with goals by Tal Ben Chaim, Carlos Garcia and Haris Medunjanin. The big victory wasn’t enough to capture their fourth league title in a row as Hapoel Beer Sheva defeated Bnei Sakhnin 3:1 to win the Championship by two points over the Yellow & Blue. Maccabi will now get ready for the State Cup Final at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening.

Head Coach Peter Bosz started off Matchday 36 with Predrag Rajikovic in goal with Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Carlos Garcia and Avi Rikan in front of him. Midfielders Gal Alberman, Nosa Igiebor and Eliel Peretz played in front of the defense while Dor Micha, Tal Ben Chaim and Captain Eran Zahavi provided the attack.

Igiebor featured for Maccabi in the first five minutes of the match as the Nigerian midfielder had a few chances but couldn’t find the back of Ohad Levita’s goal. In the 10th minute, Rikan sent Dasa a tremendous pass on the right side but the defender’s opportunity just went out over the corner of the goal.

After 15 minutes of quiet, Bloomfield burst into excitement in the 25th minute as Zahavi scored a brilliant goal, chipping Alberman’s tremendous pass over Levita and into the Haifa goal for the 1:0 lead. Zahavi had a chance to double the Yellow & Blue lead in the 32nd minute with a free kick from the top of the box but Levita made the save on number 7’s effort.

In the 40th minute Meshumar lost the ball right to Zahavi but his sharp angle attempt was blocked by Levita as the sides headed into the break with Maccabi ahead 1:0.

To open the second half Bosz inserted Haris Medunjanin in favor of Igiebor to change it up a bit on the pitch and the move paid off just two minutes later as Haifa defender Dekel Keinan pulled Zahavi down in the box after taking a Ben Chaim pass. Referee Orel Greenfeld issued Keinan a yellow card for his foul and Zahavi stepped up to slam home the spot kick from 11 meters to give the Yellow & Blue a 2:0 lead.

Maccabi youngster Eliel Peretz who had been active all match long had a wonderful opportunity in the 50th minute but Levita made the save while Ben Chaim’s scorcher from the left side went off of the post. However, Ben Chaim’s identical chance to his first in the 57th minute found its way past Levita for the 3:0 lead.

Not to be outdone, Zahavi followed up with his third of the night, tapping in a Ben Chaim pass in the 61st minute while Garcia scored a goal of his own from a Medunjanin assist in the box just two minutes later to give the Yellow & Blue a 5:0 lead. With Maccabi looking for more, Zahavi played king maker by assisting on a Medunjanin goal giving the hosts a 6:0 lead in the 66th minute.

As the match hit the 73rd minute, Coach Bosz made his second substitution of the match introducing Barak Itzhaki for the Captain, Eran Zahavi who was serenaded with a standing ovation for his historic record breaking season. Eden Ben Basat came on five minutes later for Ben Chaim as Maccabi looked ahead to their State Cup Final clash against the same Maccabi Haifa on Tuesday at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem as the match ended in a huge 6:0 victory to close out a 16 year run at Bloomfield Stadium prior to its upcoming renovation.

Tuesday May 24th will be a big day for every Maccabi Tel Aviv fan as the club will look to win back-to-back Israel State Cups. Peter Bosz’s Yellow & Blue crew will look to defend the title they won last season against Maccabi Haifa. In order for you to arrive in good spirits and root the team on with all your might we’ve made sure to give you a variety of options to make your trip as pleasant as possible.

FANZONE

Just like in the Champions League, FANZONE and Maccabi Tel Aviv have joined forces to help you with shuttles and carpools to get to Teddy Stadium safe and sound. There will be shuttle service from various points around the country at affordable prices. The special shuttles will take you right to the Stadium’s front door and will bypass the police roadblocks in the vicinity of the facility. Below is the round trip price list from various areas in the country. For the exact pickup locations please visit the FANZONE website.

Tel Aviv, Rishon Le’Zion, Nes Ziona, Rechovot, Glilot – 53 NIS
Raanana, Herzliya, Ramat HaSharon, Ramat Gan, Modiin, Petach Tikva – 55 NIS
Kfar Saba, Hod HaSharon – 58 NIS
Beer Sheva – 63 NIS
Haifa – 68 NIS

Israel Railways

Israel Railways will also provide the fans with an easy and comfortable way to make it to the match by providing two trains that will leave Tel Aviv Savidor to Malha, Jerusalem at 17:41 and 18:41. Following the match the train will return to Tel Aviv and will also stop at the Hagana Train Station.

Ticket sales are based on availability and is limited to 1,000 passengers.

Fans that are interested in a round trip train ticket are asked to purchase them at the train ticket windows at the Savidor Station only. There will be a 20% discount on the round trip tickets to the match.