In a match that featured a debut goal by Orlando Sa, another bicycle kick strike by Zahavi, a red card to Ben Harush and extra time, Maccabi was able to find a way past Leumit outfit Rishon Le’Zion at Haberfeld Stadium. The 2:1 victory sends the Yellow-and-Blue to the quarterfinals against Hapoel Kfar Saba in a two legged tie in the months of February and March.

Head Coach Peter Bosz made a number of changes from the starting lineup that defeated Maccabi Petach Tikva this past Saturday night as the Dutchman handed keeper Daniel Lifshitz his second start in the competition. In front of the Swedish born shot stopper was a defense consisting of Eli Dasa, Omri Ben Harush, Tal Ben Haim and Eitan Tibi. Gal Alberman, Shlomi Azulay and Avi Rikan were the midfielders with Eden Ben Basat, Dor Micha and Captain Eran Zahavi playing up front.

The Yellow-and-Blue came out roaring and took the game to hosts during the first quarter hour of the match. Ben Basat had the club’s opening opportunity as his header went over the bar in the 9th minute. That was followed by a Shlomi Azulay effort that went wide right two minutes later and a pair of long efforts by Ben Harush and Dasa that couldn’t find the back of the goal.

However, Rishon did just that at the opposite end of the pitch. After a hard foul by Ben Haim just outside of the box, Muhamad Abu El Iga gave his side a 1:0 lead in the 21st minute on a perfect free kick. The Rishon Le’Zion defender cleanly beat Lifshitz, pounding the ball into the top left hand side of the goal.

Maccabi looked for an equalizer as Ben Harush’s long range scorcher went over the goal while two Zahavi free kicks from just outside of the box couldn’t beat Rishon keeper Matan Ambar. Yuval Shpungin was introduced in the 33rd minute coming on for an injured Ben Haim as the Yellow-and-Blue went into the lockerroom down by a goal at the break.

Maccabi coach Peter Bosz made his second substitution of the match bringing on new acquisition Orlando Sa for Azulay to begin the half as he looked to jump start his club’s offense. Zahavi had an opportunity from short range but the Rishon keeper was in the right place to pick up the ball in the 58th minute. Minutes later Sa and Zahavi each had a chance to tie up the game but the former fanned on the ball and the latter hit the bar. Then Alberman drilled a 70th minute effort off of the bar as Maccabi came closer and closer to the Rishon goal.

With less than twenty minutes left in the match, Bosz made his final substitution bringing on striker Barak Itzhaki for Rikan as number 10 joined the attacking fray. And what would you know, Maccabi would score the equalizer just seconds later. Eli Dasa swung the ball into the box from the right side and Sa headed the ball past Ambar as the striker paid dividends in his first appearance with his new club drawing Maccabi even in the 74th minute.

Zahavi had an incredible chance to give his side the lead but his 77th minute was pawed away by Ambar and Ben Basat’s header chance in the 85th minute went over the bar as the match headed into extra time tied at 1:1.

As the match headed into extra time Maccabi looked for a hero. And who else could it be but none other than Eran Zahavi. In the 101st minute the captain took a Micha pass and went airborne to bicycle kick the ball into the goal to give the Yellow-and-Blue a 2:1 lead. But just before the first extra time half ended Ben Harush was shown red for pulling down the last Rishon attacker before the Maccabi goal giving the hosts an extra man for the balance of the 120 minute period.

Rishon looked to find the tying goal but 10-man Maccabi was able to hold on and advance to the quieter finals of the State Cup against Hapoel Kfar Saba.

Before Maccabi takes on Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion tonight at Haberfeld Stadium, 21:00 the Israel Football Association conducted the quarterfinal draw this afternoon. If the Yellow-and-Blue can defeat the Oranges they will meet Hapoel Kfar Saba in the next round.

The draw which took place at the Israel National Team training camp in Shefayim saw the Sharon side selected to play the two legged tie against this evening’s winner between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion in the quarterfinal round. The first leg will take place on either February 9/10 with the second leg being played on either March 1/2. The club has played Kfar Saba once this year with the match ending in a goalless draw.

Interestingly enough the second leg would be played before their second round league match which is the last game before the playoff round.

The Yellow-and-Blue continue on the “Road to the Cup” when they play at Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion from the Leumit league. Two weeks ago, Maccabi advanced to the Round of 16 when they defeated  Ramat HaSharon 3:1. Peter Bosz will attempt to maintain his perfect record when his team visits Haberfeld Stadium in Rishon Le’Zion, looking to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.

The two sides last played during the 2011/12 season before the wine city’s team was relegated at the end of the campaign. Maccabi won both of their encounters that year winning at Bloomfield by the score of 3:1 and 2:0 at Haberfeld.

Head Coach: Ofir Haim

The former player began his professional career in Maccabi Tel Avi’s youth department. After playing just one match he transferred to Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion’s First Team. Haim then moved around to various clubs including Turkish outfit Istanbulspor as well as returning to Maccabi on a couple of occasions. He played for over five years with the Yellow-and-Blue that included 124 appearances while scoring 23 goals. The striker retired in 2012 and became the coach of Marmorek.

Haim’s coaching career is just beginning but he’s already made a good impression at Marmorek, Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa as well as the Hapoel Tel Aviv youth side leading them to a State Cup title. Haim was named the head coach of Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion this season.

Recent form: D-W-D-L-L

Looking at the club’s results this season will show that they haven’t been able to win more than two matches in a row and are currently experiencing a dip in form as they haven’t found a victory over the past three Matchdays.

Rishon Le’Zion now find themselves in the Round of 16 after defeating two sides from Israel’s capital. In the Round of 64 the wine city’s club recorded a win over Hapoel Jerusalem 3:1 on goals by Eden Shrem, Shlomi Avisidris and Matan Lazmi. Two weeks ago they eliminated Hapoel Katamon winning 2:0 with goals by Shrem and Sean Malca. The team’s top goal scorer is Yakov Briun with nine goals this season.

Former Maccabi players:

Most of the Rishon players come from the Red side of Tel Aviv, however there are some players with a Yellow-and-Blue background as well. The club’s captain Avi Strul is one of the most well know players that graced Bloomfield Stadium. Strul grew up in the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth department and played for the First Team on two occasions, winning two league championships and three State Cups. In addition, Rahamim Checkul was with Maccabi during the 2011/12 season.

Did you know?

Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion never won a league championship or a State Cup. They reached the State Cup final on two occasions losing to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Shlomi Azulay, the Yellow-and-Blue midfielder is looking forward to his club’s upcoming Israel State Cup Round of 16 matchup against one of his former side’s Rishon Le’Zion. Number 16 spoke about how crucial every training session is with the club, acclimating to a new environment and what it means to play against Rishon:

“As you know, I played with Rishon and I had an incredibly good time when I was there. It will be very emotional but we need to win this important Cup game coming up.”

What Maccabi can expect :

“I was a part of Rishon when I was playing in the Leumit league and anytime we has a chance to play a first division club there was a real will and effort to want to win against the big team. So we have to come very prepared for every single match and we will be for tomorrow’s encounter. It’s a small pitch but we have some very good players here and they can do the job.”

About Gili Vermouth:

“It’s not always easy to acclimate and it took me time as well. Gili’s a good player and I hope he stays. He definitely has plenty of motivation. But these questions should be directed to Jordi and not to me.”

Importance of the training sessions:

“At Maccabi, every train session is important. You have to prove yourself each and every day and put in very hard work. No one is coming here for a free ride and we all work very hard for a chance to play.”

On playing against another former club on Monday at Beitar Jerusalem:

It’s my week I guess. But I’m not even thinking about Teddy just yet. We have an important match tomorrow.”

Head Coach Peter Bosz spoke to the media prior to the Yellow-and-Blue’s Israel State Cup match at Rishon Le’Zion in the Round of 16 tomorrow night. Bosz discussed the strategy he has been using in the matches he has coached so far, the new striker Orlando Sa and the importance of the upcoming game:

“We want to win the Cup and to do so you must win every game you play in the tournament. Last State Cup match wasn’t easy and we don’t expect tomorrow’s game to be any easier. For Rishon Le’Zion it will be a big game, to play against us and they will be very aggressive. We must be 100% focused on the task at hand.”

The status of the new Portuguese striker Orlando Sa:

“Orlando Sa won’t start tomorrow and I’m still not sure if he will play or even be in the squad. We will have to see after today’s training session as yesterday he trained but it was alone and not with the rest of the team.”

Thoughts on Sa’s acquisition:

“I’m happy that he is here and we need all of the good players that we can get. He is a goal scorer and a real #9 and I hope he will do well with us.”

Playing certain players together at the same time and what effect it will have on Eran Zahavi’s position:

“There are a lot of options and we have to see what is best for Maccabi. We will train together and see. What I do know is that good players can always play together.”

On the potential starting lineup for the Rishon Le’Zion match:

“Usually, I don’t make very many changes, but every situation is different and we have to see how fit the players are and who will be the correct personnel. We also looked at our opponent and we have to see what tactics we will use and make the decision as to who will play from there. The upcoming match against Beitar may also be a factor as how we plan ahead.”

Style of play:

“If the strikers don’t press well then the midfielders will have problems. If the midfielders don’t do it well then the defenders will have problems. We want to have a high pressing system. I showed some clips to the players where the midfielders came late to the ball and gave up some good chances on our defense.”

About Eli Dasa playing as a midfielder:

“We have a certain way of playing in Maccabi and I look for a specific type of player who can do certain roles. He is aggressive, very good and fast and those are qualities that you need in the midfield and for him it was new. In the future, playing him at this position may be a possibility.”