Haris Medunjanin scored his first goal since returning to the club. When was the last time he scored for the Yellow-and-Blue? It was August 29, 2011 against SC Ashdod. Medunjanin’s marker was the first of four goals that Maccabi put into the Ashdod goal.

8 years have gone by since Maccabi last scored at Levita Stadium. It was back in the 2007/08 season when the Yellow-and-Blue won 3:2 on goals by Alain Masudi, Yannick Kamanan and Lior Jan.

 The last time Maccabi played Kfar Saba in State Cup action was in 1990 and it was also over two matches. The first game ended in a goalless 0:0 draw while Kfar Saba won the second match 2:0 to eliminate the Yellow-and-Blue.

 

Last night’s game was the sixth time the two clubs have played each other in the State Cup with Maccabi winning four of those contests. The last time the teams played in the quarterfinal round was in 1977.

Ziv Adler was the referee last night and the last time he was in charge of a Maccabi State Cup match was last year’s final that saw Maccabi defeat Hapoel Beer Sheva 6:2.

 Eran Zahavi hasn’t scored in two straight matches and that hasn’t happened since September where he didn’t score in three straight league matches. The next game against Hapoel Akko, the Captain scored a brace.

Eden Ben Basat helped the Yellow-and-Blue to an important win at Levita Stadium against a game Hapoel Kfar Saba side during the first leg of the Israel State Cup quarterfinals. Number 9 spoke about the importance of scoring, playing after the Derby and of course the victory as Maccabi already has one foot into the semifinal round:

“I’m get happy as we took another important step to the next stage of the State Cup tournament. Of course we have another match, but I’m really happy that I was able to score.”

The first leg result:

“In the Cup there are always hard games and surprises. We didn’t want to add our name to that list. I believe we had a good result going forward.”

About the Derby:

“Every three days we have yet another match so we had to just put the Derby aside and concentrate on the task at hand. We actually played well in the Derby, but because we didn’t win, it didn’t mean anything. We were disappointed with the final result but we are looking ahead. We have a strong squad where everyone wants to play and that’s what is most important.”

Kfar Saba came to play:

“Every team has their own style of play and we have to make sure we prepare properly for that. We have to really look at ourselves and make sure that we are ready.”

On scoring:

“I’m working very hard and I’m thrilled that I scored. If it’s in practice, a game or even a training match it’s important for me to score for my own confidence. I hope they’ll be plenty more to come.”

Having the chance to play:

“There are a lot of quality offensive players on the team and it’s good that the coach has this headache to deal with.”

Haris Medunjanin, the Yellow-and-Blue’s new midfielder scored a goal and assisted on another in the first leg of the two-legged Israel State Cup quarterfinals matchup away against Hapoel Kfar Saba. The Bosnian spoke about his objectives going forward, battling for first place, returning to Maccabi and of course scoring:

“It takes time, I wasn’t happy with my game. I lost some easy balls and you have to remember that I didn’t play for a whole year so it takes time to get ready especially with the playoffs coming up. I’ll give my best and I hope I’ll win the title with Maccabi.”

Scoring his first goal since returning to Maccabi:

“It was a relief to get it. I always want to help the team as well with some good passing. When I get to about 16 meters out I want to shoot and today the ball went in. I had a lot of chances today but some weren’t dangerous. I have to improve on that.”

Helping with the goal scoring:

“I don’t know how many goals I’ll score, but I’ll try my best and hope that I can score more goals and help Maccabi.”

Battling for first place in league play:

“Beer Sheva is under pressure because they need to win every game. There are 14 games left and we will still play them a couple of times. The playoffs will be very difficult with good teams like Haifa and Beer Sheva, so we will see.”

Returning to Maccabi:

“I was in the situation where I hadn’t played a lot in Spain but you never know what happens and since the new coach (Peter Bosz) came in to Maccabi things changed and I hope that I can provide more good games. I needed to take some time to think if I would come back as it has been a very difficult situation. Things have changed for the good now.”

Changes in the league from then and now:

“There are a lot of good teams and a lot of good players here now. It used to be an easy game to play against Beer Sheva and now they are one of the leaders.”

Champions League football:

“Of course it’s everyone’s dream to play in the Champions League and I hope I can be there with Maccabi and that we can qualify, but firstly we have to win a lot of games.”

Head Coach Peter Bosz was extremely pleased with his side’s 3:0 away victory in the first leg of the two legged State Cup quarterfinals tie against Hapoel Kfar Saba:

“It wasn’t easy to play in this pitch because the ball jumped around a bit. We had a number of fantastic opportunities in the first half and I’m really pleased we scored a second goal at the start of the second half. The third goal near the end of the game was very important.”

On playing the counter attack:

“Kfar Saba played the counter attack very well in the first half and when you turnover the ball you open the door to the counter attack.”

Does Maccabi have a foot into the semi finals?

“I’ve been in football for a very long time to know that we haven’t made it into the semifinals just yet, but we came away with a fantastic result in this match.”

About central defender Tal Ben Haim’s injury:

“He’s still hurt. Yesterday he already told me that he felt somethings wrong and today he was ruled out because of the injury.”

New recruit Haris Medunjanin showed his quality in a 3:0 away victory in the State Cup quarterfinals first leg at Levita Stadium in Kfar Saba. The Bosnian scored the match’s first goal and picked up an assist on Dor Micha’s marker while Eden Ben Basat also found the back of the home team’s goal.

Head Coach Peter Bosz began the match with a similar Starting XI to the one which opened the Derby earlier in the week, however there were a few of wrinkles thrown in for good measure. Nosa Igiebor started in the midfield after being suspended last match, Avi Rikan went to left back and Eden Ben Basat featured as a striker up front. Predrag Rajkovic put on the goalkeeper’s gloves for the first time in State Cup play while a defensive quartet of Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Omri Ben Harush and Rikan played in front of the Serbian shot stopper. Gal Alberman was in his customary defensive midfield position with Haris Medunjanin and Igiebor by his side as winger Tal Ben Chaim along with Ben Basat and captain Eran Zahavi provided the attack.

Haris Medunjanin came into the match looking to make a mark since returning to the club after a number of seasons in Europe. In the 5th minute his corner kick almost directly beat the Green’s keeper Ben Rahav as it hit the bar and just two minutes later his 22 meter effort went straight into the hands of the awaiting Rahav. It was then Tibi’s turn, taking a Ben Chaim pass and missing from close range with a backheel attempt.

Kfar Saba then had a couple of opportunities as Omer Padida’s effort was grabbed by Rajikovic and Mavis Tchibota’s free kick play to Hugo Lopez was finger tipped to safety by the Serbian keeper. With Maccabi looking to strike first, Zahavi’s 21st minute chance from 25 meters was saved by Rahav and his opportunity three minutes later was kicked out for a corner by the home team’s keeper. However, the match wouldn’t remain goalless for much longer.

As the clock struck minute 33, Maccabi raced downfield on a magnificent counterattack led by Rikan. Number 22 handed the ball off to Zahavi who sent Medunjanin a perfect pass as the Bosnian unleashed a scintillating shot to beat Rahav from 18 meters out for a 1:0 lead. The two sides traded chances for the balance of the half as they went into the break with the Yellow-and-Blue holding the one goal advantage.

Kfar Saba looked to even up the match at the start of half number two, but Tchibota’s chance was saved by Rajkovic in the 46th minute. On the other side of the pitch, visiting Maccabi wanted to find a second away goal in the first leg of the two-legged tie and find it they would.

In the 54th minute Dasa streaked down the right side and placed a perfect pass into the box right to feet of Ben Basat who easily scored from close range to give the Yellow-and-Blue a 2:0 advantage. Kfar Saba searched to cut the lead but Tchibota’s three opportunities over a 12 minute span couldn’t find the back of the Maccabi goal.

In the 78th minute, Igiebor missed a brilliant chance after Medunjanin’s corner kick was brought down by Ben Basat’s head, but the Nigerian’s effort went right over the goal. Coach Bosz made wholesale substitutions late in the game introducing Yoav Ziv, Dor Peretz and Dor Micha who also added his name to the scoresheet late in the match.

In the 88th minute, Zahavi laid off a perfect pass to Medunjanin who one-touched the ball to Micha as number 15 launched a rocket behind a diving Rahav to put the final stamp on a 3:0 away victory. The second leg of the two-legend quarterfinal tie will be played in three weeks at Bloomfield Stadium.

May 4, 1977. Maccabi Tel Aviv played away at Kfar Saba in the State Cup semifinals. Yaacov Grondman’s Yellow-and-Blue came into the match after falling at Beitar Tel Aviv 1:0 in league play. On the other side of the pitch, Kfar Saba had just won their league match by the score of 7:1 and entered the contest brimming with confidence.

Grondman opened the match with a very strong starting XI that included Avi Cohen Z”L, Avi Cohen the Jerusalemite, Miko Belo, Vicki Peretz and Benny Tabak. 2500 fans filled the stadium waiting to see what Dror Kashtan had planned against their Yellow-and-Blue.

“Grondman’s team opened the match with terrific momentum,” one of the journalists noted the morning after as he described the pressure Vicki Peretz, Benny Tabak and Moshe Mizrachi put on the Kfar Saba keeper Schwartz. The pressure paid off in the 9th minute when Peretz broke free in the center of the pitch, as Mizrachi played give and go with him going forward. Tabak trailed right behind and Peretz sent the F-15 a beauty of a ball in the center of the box for him to easily score his first of the match.

Just minutes later, Tabak attempted to return the favor to Peretz as he slotted the ball just wide by the far post as Maccabi took a 1:0 lead into the break. As soon as the second half started the Yellow-and-Blue doubled their score as Peretz took a scintillating shot at the goal. Kfar Saba defender Hillel blocked the ball, but it went right to Tabak’s feet as he had no problem putting home his second goal of the match.

At the end of 90 minutes, Grondman’s side punched their ticket to the semifinals of the State Cup where they defeated Maccabi Netanya 6:1 and went on to beat Beitar Tel Aviv 1:0 as they returned the Cup to their trophy case.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s boss, Dutchman Peter Bosz spoke to the assembled media prior to the club’s Israel State Cup quarterfinal match away against Hapoel Kfar Saba. The quarterfinals are set up as a two-legged tie with the first leg being played at Levita Stadium and the return leg at Bloomfield. Bosz discussed defender Tal Ben Haim’s status, the gap between Maccabi and Beer Sheva and also looked back at the Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv:

“Tomorrow is a very big Cup game, especially coming after the match against Hapoel. It was mentally tough as we just played a Derby and we have to be ready to play. It won’t be easy.”

More on the Derby:

“I believe that Hapoel did a fantastic job and I watched the game again on TV and on my computer. We have to find a way to win these types of games and we have to create more chances. Hapoel had only one shot on goal and it was a goal. They had a counterattack in the second half that ended with a poor pass. We controlled the ball for 73% of the time and we did a great job in that part but we didn’t cross well and we couldn’t create chances, Eran Zahavi and Haris Medunjanin had chances and we had to do more with them.”

Opponent’s style of play against Maccabi:

“More teams will play like Hapoel did against us. If we defend like we did against Hapoel other than the first two minutes we will do well, but we have to work on the offensive part of our game.”

There has been less pressing over the past few games:

“Every game is different. I agree we played well against Maccabi Haifa as we scored two goals and the game was wide open as Haifa was attacking as well. In the Derby match we gave up a goal right away in the first few minutes and we had to come from behind. We had a problem since Hapoel played so tightly together and looked to counterattack.”

Concern about the 5 point gap between Maccabi and Beer Sheva:

“Worrying doesn’t help me, but I’m worried about the gap of 5 points. There are 14 games left with 42 points to get and 42 points to lose. The championship is not over.”

Looking forward to Kfar Saba:

“We must play better than we did in the last two cup games and I know that we can do better than what we’ve done recently.”

Status of striker Orlando Sa:

“I don’t think he will play tomorrow.”

Defender Tal Ben Haim hasn’t played recently:

“He will have a lot of minutes as he’s a fantastic defender. We have three good center backs. I asked Tal to sit on the bench with us for the Beitar match and he was in a lot of pain. He had been injured in the Rishon Cup match. For the Derby I believed that Tibi is faster than than Tal and that is why he played, it was more of a tactical move.”