The Yellow-and-Blue drew 1:1 against Hapoel Raanana away at the Netanya Stadium while Beer Sheva defeated Beitar Jerusalem as the desert Red’s opened up a five point lead atop the table. The Head Coach, Peter Bosz was disappointed with the result in,ought of the many chances his side created:

“A five point lead is a very large lead at this point in the season. It will be very hard to close the gap. I think we needed to score another goal. If you look at all of the opportunities we had, one goal is just not enough. The fact that we also gave up a goal on a free kick also shouldn’t have happened.”

The last month:

“I agree that our results over the last month doesn’t reflect a team that wanted to win the title. We can only blame ourselves. We played well during the games just like we did against Bnei Sakhnin and today, but we had to score more.”

The disappointment that the championship is slipping away:

“I’m disappointed because I am a winner and I want to win every match. Especially a game like today where we had to win. Today’s outcome and the loss of points have no impact on my future.”

Nosa Igiebor came back after being out injured for over two months to score the opening goal of the match but Barack Badash drew his side even a few minutes later as the match ended in a 1:1 draw.

Head Coach Peter Bosz didn’t have a number of his regular players available due to yellow card accumulation and injuries including Carlos Garcia, Barak Itzhaki and Orlando Sa as Dor Peretz, Avi Rikan and Shlomi Azulay were all handed a place in the Starting XI. Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic started in goal with Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Peretz and Rikan in front of him. Gal Alberman, Haris Medunjanin and Azulay featured in the midfield while Dor Micha, Tal Ben Chaim and the Captain Eran Zahavi provided the attack.

After three straight goalless league matches, Maccabi looked to strike early and often as Ben Chaim and Micha combined for a beauty of chance in the 2nd minute but the latter’s header went out. Ten minutes later Azulay tried his hand with a long effort from 20 meters out but his opportunity went over the bar.

As the match hit the quarter hour, Zahavi took a Micha cross and headed it towards the Raanana goal but keeper Arik Yanko grabbed the ball while the Captain’s effort three minutes later from a Medunjanin cross also met Yanko as the match remained 0:0. The Yellow-and-Blue had back to back chances in the 37th and 38th minutes but Yanko was again up to the task pushing away Azulay’s effort from close in and Zahavi’s terrific low shot went just wide of the right post as the half ended 0:0.

As the over 4,000 traveling away fans continued to urge Maccabi on Ben Chaim opened the second half by unleashing a vicious strike to the left of the goal but his effort went over the bar. Medunjanin tried his luck in the 52nd minute but his floater was easily caught by Yanko.

Mamadou Chiam gave Raanana their first real chance of the match but Rajikovic was up to the task blocking his quality shot in the box for a corner in the 54th minute. Medujanin took a great ball on the attacking area turned and shot by Yanko was there one again to deny the Yellow-and-Blue.

Nosa Igiebor was introduced for Azulay in the 58th minute as the Nigerian midfielder was asked to make a difference in his first League appearance since February 27th against Bnei Yehuda. And what a difference he would make as he headed the ball into the Raanana goal for a 1:0 lead in the 60th minute off of a Micha cross.

However, the lead wouldn’t last for long when ex-Maccabi striker Barak Badash slammed the ball home past Rajikovic to draw Raanana even at 1:1 in the 64th minute. Ten minutes later Medunjanin hit the right post off of a fantastic Zahavi corner as Maccabi continued to search for a goal to take the lead.

Head Coach Peter Bosz made his second substitute of the match in the 77th minute as Eden Ben Basat replaced Dor Peretz leaving Maccabi with three defenders in the back. Zahavi’s 16 meter chance in the 80th minute couldn’t beat Yanko as the match ended in a 1:1 draw leaving the Yellow-and-Blue 5 points out of first place with two matches remaining in the season.

A busy week is ahead for Maccabi Tel Aviv as they will visit the capital city and Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium on Matchday 35 of the WINNER League. Tickets are now on sale for the match that will take place on Saturday May 14th at 19:00 and you’re all invited to come and cheer on the Yellow-and-Blue!

Tickets are available at the Leaan Ticket Office, via the Internet and telephone. Maccabi Tel Aviv fans may purchase tickets for Sections 1-2-3.

Ticket prices:

Leaan Ticket Office
Adult – 99 ₪
Youth/Soldier/Woman – 49.50 ₪

Telephone/Website
Adult – 104 ₪
Youth/Soldier/Woman – 54.50 ₪

At the Stadium on Matchday (Should tickets remain)
Adult – 90 ₪
Youth/Soldier/Woman – 45 ₪

Leaan Ticket office hours 101 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv, Sunday-Thursday 09:00-19:00, Friday 09:00-13:00

Please note that on Wednesday, Yom Haatzmaut Eve the ticket office will be open until 14:00 and closed on Thursday.

The Israeli Classico is on tap for the State Cup Final as the Cup holders will face Maccabi Haifa in the final on Tuesday May 24th, 20:50 at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. Priority for Season Ticket holders will be until 13:00 on Friday May 13th. Each Season Ticket holder may purchase one ticket. For your convenience a map of the Maccabi fans’ sections can be found below.

We ask for your patience and understanding during the ticket sale process.

Important:

– In order to pick up your ticket a valid 2015/16 season ticket must be presented.
– Fans purchasing discounted tickets must present applicable documents at the stadium prior to entrance.
– Internet sales will take place via the Leaan Website and you will need to enter your personal account information including your season ticket number and password. If you encounter a problem purchasing tickets via the Website please send an email to support@leaan.co.il.
– It is recommended that you pick up your tickets in advance or choose the print at home option.
– If you purchase a reserved seat you must sit in the seat indicated on your ticket.

Ticket Prices:

Silver Section – Entrance 6 (reserved) (reserved for Gold and VIP season ticket holders)
Telephone/Website – 170 ₪
Official Team Stores or the Leaan Ticket Office – 165 ₪

Section 5,6 (Category 1) Reserved
Telephone/Website –
Adult – 115 ₪
Youth/Woman/Soldier/Student – 60 ₪

Official Team Stores or the Leaan Ticket Office –
Adult – 110 ₪
Youth/Woman/Soldier/Student – 55 ₪

Section 1-4, 22-23 (Category 2) Unreserved
Telephone/Website –
Adult – 93 ₪
Youth/Woman/Soldier/Student – 49 ₪

Official Team Stores or the Leaan Ticket Office –
Adult – 88 ₪
Youth/Woman/Soldier/Student – 44 ₪

Official Team Store hours of operation:

Official Team Store, 147 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv, Tuesday 10:00-17:00, Wednesday 10:00-14:00 Friday 10:00-14:00

Official Team Store, Cinema City, Rishon Le’Zion, Tuesday 10:00-17:00, Wednesday 10:00-14:00 Friday 10:00-14:00

Official Team Store, Kiryat Shalom Training Facility, Tuesday 10:00-17:00, Wednesday 10:00-14:00 Friday 10:00-14:00

Leaan Ticket Office 101 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv: Sunday-Thursday 09:00-19:00, Friday 09:30-13:30

Ticket Collection from the Leaan Ticket Windows:

Tickets may be collected at the Leaan Ticket Office 101 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv Tuesday 10:00-18:00, Wednesday 09:00-14:00, Friday 09:00-13:30. After Yom Haatzmaut hours will return to normal from Sunday-Thursday 09:00-19:00, Friday 09:00-13:30.

Maccabi Tel Aviv takes on Hapoel Raanana this evening on Matchday 34 of the WINNER League at the Netanya Stadium, 20:55. The Yellow-and-Blue come into the game after a goalless draw with Hapoel Beer Sheva and behind the first place side by 3-points.

Dor Peretz spoke to Lior Timor on the Maccabi-Cast about how the players are feeling and looked ahead to the last few matches of the campaign:

“It’s clear that we believe we have a chance to win the title until the final whistle of the final match is sounded. We will play right until the end.”

The last match against Hapoel Beer Sheva:

“We were definitely disappointed because we gave everything we had especially in the second half we should have won and could have scored a goal or two. But that’s in the past and we have to look forward to give it all. As footballers we know that anything and everything can happen and we will believe right until the end and give everything we have.”

Not being able to score goals over the last three matches:

“I don’t think that pressure or luck plays a factor here. We had terrific chances that just didn’t go in. Our players know how to score but it just didn’t happen.”

On the battle for first place:

“There’s no question that Beer Sheva deserves a ton of credit for the year they are having but we are only concerned about ourselves and we are giving it our all and we hope that we will finish in first place.”

His year on a personal level:

“This year still hasn’t finished for both the club and myself. But I’ve gained a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge. I started at the beginning of the year and then came off the bench and now again I am starting. I am growing and it’s also not a simple procedure.”

On playing many positions:

“I’ve played almost everyone of them and it’s part of my education this season. It’s giving me the ability to play so many different positions and it only enhances what I can do.”

Learning from Gal Alberman:

“Certainly I’ve learned a lot from being with Gal Alberman. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to play with him and see what he does on and off of the pitch.”

Where he can improve:

“I’m working on scoring and I’m happy that I had a bunch of chances to score. I never had this amount of opportunities at any level of play. So perhaps this is where I have to improve my game.”

About his brother Reef:

“We are very similar and also very different at the same time. He plays for Hapoel Ramat Gan now and I have plenty to learn from him and from his experiences.”

The State Cup Final:

“There’s no question that we want to go into the State Cup final against Maccabi Haifa on a good roll and every win is good for us now to make sure we enter that match in tip top shape.”

The dream of playing for the Yellow-and-Blue:

“For sure this was a dream to be here and play for Maccabi. Going through the youth levels and now being on the senior team. It’s something that I don’t take for granted.”

The Yellow-and-Blue number 22 is ready for Monday night’s game against Hapoel Raanana on Matchday 34 of the WINNER League to be played at the Netanya Stadium at 20:55. Avi Rikan spoke about the disappointment drawing against Hapoel Beer Sheva, the battle for first place and the yellow card situation from last night’s Maccabi Haifa match:

“I didn’t watch the match and the whole deal of them picking up yellow cards is their issue and not ours. If you look back at the last few months you can pick up yellows and you never really know when and how you picked them up, but we have to look at that aspect also.”

The balance of the season:

“The players know that we have some important games coming up and we have to focus on that. We all know what we have to do and what the expectations are. We have 90 important minutes against Raanana and then we can look ahead to the Beitar Jerusalem match.”

Chances of winning the title:

“Things can always happen and we have to hope that as long as we do what we need to that we will be ok. We have three hard matches coming up and I hope we will be in the race right until the end.”

Disappointment over the Beer Sheva draw:

“Sure we were disappointed after the match but we were there for each other and we lifted our heads but we are already beyond that. We have a match tomorrow.”

His future:

“It’s flattering that other clubs want me but may want me but I have a few years left on my contract and it would have to be something really bombastic for it to happen.”

Peter Bosz, the Yellow-and-Blue boss discussed the upcoming Matchday 34 clash against Hapoel Raanana Monday evening at the Netanya Stadium, 20:55. With just three matches remaining and behind first place Hapoel Beer Sheva by 3-points, Maccabi will be looking to pick up the victory after three straight 0:0 draws:

“We will have 11 players, and we do have some injuries. Orlando won’t be available for tomorrow’s game and we also have 2 suspended players. I asked all of my players to focus only on football for the next 16 days. We have to win 3 games and we also have to see what Beer Sheva is doing as we don’t hold our own destiny in our hands.”

Disappointment after the Beer Sheva match:

“Before the match I said that only a win will help us. We were all disappointed with the draw, partly with the result and partly with the chances we couldn’t finish. You can imagine how disappointed they were after not winning and I showed them some clips of where they can do better.”

The match against Raanana:

“I don’t only think we can win it but we’ve proved that we can win. All we can do is win our games and then look at what Beer Sheva does.”

Switching focus:

“As a player I know what it’s like to be disappointed after a game. We had to make sure we switch our focus quickly. There may be other things on their mind as well but we have 16 days and we have to focus.”

His future:

“If I ask my players to focus on the games at hand, then I must set the right example. This is the only thing on my mind and nothing else.”