Barak Itzhaki opened Maccabi Tel Aviv’s State Cup title defense with a penalty goal early on in the first half against Ramat HaSharon at Grundman Stadium. The win punches the club’s ticket to the Round of 16 where they will visit Rishon Le’Zion on either January 26th or 27th. Number 10 spoke about potential changes in the squad, fighting for the league championship against Beer Sheva, Eran Zahavi and of course advancing to the next round of the tournament:

“Yes, we had some good minutes and some that were not as good in the game but we advanced to the next round. Teams from the second division play hard and Ramat HaSharon is a good club and they made our life a bit miserable. But at the end of the day we won and moved on.”

On the State Cup title defense:

“This was just the start of the journey and I hope it will have the same ending as last year.”

About  bringing in reinforcements:

“Every player that is here is great. I don’t decide who joins the club or not. We have players that can stand toe to toe with any new player that comes and anyone that does join the team can help out.”

 Not playing game in and game out:

 “It doesn’t bother me. This has been the way all of the coaches over the last few years have operated. We have a number of good players at each position and it gives everyone a chance to play. It’s a healthy situation. Whoever is in form during a certain period of time will get the call.”

 Differing coaching styles:

 “I work hard at practice and now we have a new coach who has different ideas and a different style which is much more offensive. I’m getting used to the new coach and I hope I play more.”

 Taking a fourth championship is a row:

 “The battle with Beer Sheva will be tough and it’s very close. But they are up against the three time defending Israel league champions and it will go down to the wire.”

 The importance of Eran Zahavi:

 “There’s no question that Eran is an important part of the club if not the most important. There are players that can help him out but he’s the star of the team and there are even bigger clubs that have the same situation like Real Madrid and Barcelona. We try to help him as much as we can and I hope that it will continue that way.”

Daniel Lifshitz picked up his second win since joining Maccabi: “I’m happy that my won-lost record is still 100% and I hope that I’ll keep that streak going the next time I’m in goal.” The second choice keeper commented following the match against the tough Leumit League outfit.

“Ramat HaSharon is a good side with some veteran players along with some young and talented ones. Their keeper is the Olympic team’s shot stopper. It’s always difficult against them.”

Advancing to the Round of 16 and a date with Rishon Le’Zion:

“I really hope that just like last year we can continue the defense on the right foot. We are Maccabi Tel Aviv and just like every season we will continue to battle in all of the competitions.”

On having a different starting XI than the last match:

“These are players who have been together for many years. Maccabi’s way is not to make drastic changes in the squad and that way the players pretty much all know each other. Any player that plays in any match can be in the stating XI. Some guys that played in this match had opened up in the prior weeks so there won’t be much that any player needs to adapt to. We are all learning the new coach’s style.”

The penalty called against Maccabi that could have led to extra time:

“I wasn’t afraid that we would head to extra time. I knew we would score again. It would have been difficult for them to score and we were in good shape. I really wasn’t thinking that we’d have to go to the extra period because of the penalty. I knew we would score another goal, but they also had some good opportunities and anything can happen in the State Cup tournament.”

About Eran Zahavi’s introduction and Eden Ben Basat’s match:

“Of course Eran Zahavi always gives the team a little extra in any match he plays. But I think Eden Ben Basat was the catalyst in last night’s match. He played a terrific game and helped us advance to the next round.”

On Peter Bosz’s decision to see different players in the two matches he’s coached so far:

“He definitely knew what had gone on with the club since the beginning of the year and beforehand. He didn’t look at the State Cup as a match to give players rest. He wanted to have a chance to see all of the players he has at his disposal. And this match will give him some food for thought for the next game and for games later on in the season.”

Looking ahead to Monday’s league match in Acre:

“The conditions in Acre are never terrific. They are a team that likes to run and press one on one and it won’t be easy. They are not coming into the match in good form and that will not make it any easier for us.”

The journey to defend the State Cup started off on the right foot as Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Ramat HaSharon at Grundman Stadium. With the victory, the Yellow-and-Blue advances to the Round of 16 and will play at Rishon Le’Zion in two weeks time.

Eden Ben Basat who has been in the headlines recently, scored a goal and drew a penalty in an excellent second half. At the end of the match, the striker spoke about his attitude towards the rumors that have been swirling around about his future: “I don’t really care what others are saying. I proved myself on the pitch, work hard at practice and hope to be rewarded. The goal really took some pressure off of me, as a striker needs to score in order to gain confidence. This is what has always motivated me throughout my life, in the National Team, outside of Israel and with Maccabi Tel Aviv.”

On wanting to stay with a the Yellow-and-Blue:

“I try to deal with just Maccabi Tel Aviv. It’s seems like I’ve joined every other team in the league, but I am very happy where I am and I’m content with Maccabi and I am always looking to advance.”

About Ramat HaSharon which was a rough team to play:

“It’s the State Cup and we’ve already seen some Cinderella teams and we didn’t want that to happen to us. I’m happy that we came back to win the game when we were tied at 1:1. At the end of the game the coach praised my work on the pitch and told me where he thought I needed to improve. I told him that I was a bit tired since I hadn’t played in a game in some time. Having a new coach is good for everyone and we all start at the same point. We got a great coach who wants to pressure and attack and I think that this will be good for everyone.”

His personal struggle during a less than stellar period of time:

“We had a first born girl. Even when I’m frustrated with things that are going football wise, I can always come back home. I can play with her, but at the end of the day my profession is to be a footballer and I want to succeed. I play for Maccabi and I have a contract. I just want to play.”

It wasn’t easy, but Maccabi Tel Aviv joined the other 15 clubs who already had booked their ticket to the Israel State Cup’s Round of 16. The Yellow-and-Blue visited Ramat HaSharon at Grundman Stadium and came away with a 3:1 victory. Peter Bosz won his second match and his first in State Cup action. The Dutch boss spoke to the assembled media after the game:

“In Cup play it’s all or nothing, it was important that we won the match and that we advanced. The best way to learn about the players is to see them in action, the players did a good job and it wasn’t easy to win here.”

About Maccabi’s play:

“We didn’t move the ball well in the first half. We did much better in the second half and it was much easier. They pressed us and made it difficult for us to play our game but in the end we succeeded and did what we had to do.”

On the penalties:

“When you get a penalty in the first half you’re always worried that the referees will call one against you. But in the end it didn’t really make a difference.”

It’s been almost two years since Maccabi Tel Aviv has faced Ramat Hasharon as the club dropped to the Leumit League and has played there the past couple of seasons. The side from the Sharon is searching for a way back to the top division and hope that this year they’ll accomplish just that.

What changes has Ramat HaSharon made over the past year-and-a-half and what team is Maccabi going to face in the State Cup Round of 32?

Coach: Lior Zada

After many years under coach Haim Shabo, Ramat HaSharon chose Lior Zada to lead the club. Zada spent many years in Israel’s capital coaching both Hapoel Katamon and Hapoel Jerusalem while the past two seasons he also guided Ironi Kiryat Gat and Maccabi Yafo Kabilyo.

Current Form: D-D-L-D-L

Ramat HaSharon has recently experienced a run of poor form and their last victory was back in November 2015. Even though they have been struggling of late, Zada’s side is still considered to be a legitimate contender for promotion as they have a match in hand and are only 6-points away from the top of the table.

Ex-Maccabi players:

Over the past few seasons Ramat HaSharon has been home to a number of former players who spent time at Kiryat Shalom. Today you can find the likes of Yossi Shivchon, Kobi Moosa and Ben Ben Yair who once wore the Yellow-and-Blue playing for the Sharon side.

Did you know?

Thursday will mark the first time that Maccabi Tel Aviv has faced Ramat “Nir” HaSharon in the Israel State Cup tournament.

Through the eyes of the scout:

Amir Turgemen has scouted Lior Zada’s side a number of times this season and has this to say about the rival from Grundman: “Ramat HaSharon is a team that combines both young players and veterans with many years of experience. The club is also comprised of players who grew up in other team’s youth departments but is a team that plays with a lot of heart and pride. They have talent that doesn’t always reach their potential. In terms of their style, they are a club that likes to control the ball, but it won’t be so easy for them to do that against a team like Maccabi. They have a very strong and tall striker by the name of Juvenal Nnaemeka who will certainly be the address for fast breaks.