Category: News

Ben Haim: “We played an excellent match”

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Tal Ben Haim helped the Yellow-and-Blue to a 2:1 win against Maccabi Haifa on Matchday 18 of the WINNER League. The defender discussed the game along with revealing some of the differences in style new Head Coach Peter Bosz brings to Israel:332A1673

“I think we played an excellent match and if we would’ve scored a third goal the final result would have been bigger than it was. You have to give credit to Maccabi Haifa as they came back into the match on Yossi Benayoun’s nice goal. When the score was 2:1, the game could’ve gone either way, but we played well and really controlled the tempo of the match with a number of chances. Bottom line is that we took the 3-points and we will forge on.”

About  the training sessions with new coach Peter Bosz:

“Every coach has his own path and way. Over the last few days he gave us some pointers on how to improve our game and I’m sure as the upcoming week goes by we will be able to manage the match even better and control the ball even more.”332A1693

Some of the changes in play:

“One of the things that coach wants us to do is go after the ball as soon as we give it up. He wants to have the ball on our feet and we had some good plays where we used our defense to help give us on offensive opportunity.”

On being in 2nd place:

“We’ve played a lot of matches this year and we have been behind in the table and still won the championship. We are not looking that far down the road right now and we are taking it game by game. We are now turning our sights on Thursday’s State Cup match against Ramat HaSharon.”

Mitrovic: “The fans will always be in my heart”

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Maccabi Tel Aviv said goodbye to Nikola Mitrovic, one of the key parts of their success over the last 2.5 years helping the club win league titles, the Treble and advancing to the Champions League. His assist to captain Eran Zahavi in the second leg of the Champions League Playoffs at Bloomfield Stadium helped propel the Yellow-and-Blue to the exclusive tournament. The Serbian talked about his time with the team, the fans and how emotional a moment it is for him as he departs the club:

ניקולה מיטרוביץ’ נפרד ממכבי ת”א

“It’s true that it’s a very emotional moment. But I must continue. Life goes on.”

On his time with Maccabi:

“I enjoyed every moment that I was here and the fans deserve my thanks. I’m sorry and I am sad that I have to leave. I enjoyed my time, winning championships, last year the Treble and this year the Champions League. On one hand I’m sad but on the other I’m happy.”

Letting his teammates know that he would be leaving:

“I became strong over the time I was here. I will always follow Maccabi and the players are in my heart, the fans and the whole club. I really enjoyed being here. I told the players that I’m leaving tomorrow and they deserved to know that I was leaving, it wouldn’t have been nice otherwise. They were sad and didn’t want me to leave but this is my decision and I can’t change it.”

Being part of a historical club:

“This club will always be my club. We are a winner team and they will always be fighting for championships and go to play in Europe. The players and the people around the club are like a family. I’m really sad to leave but on the other hand I have the chance of a lifetime right now.”

Mitro’s final message to the fans:

“The fans will always be in my heart and I really love them like they love me.”

Bosz: “We played with passion”

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The Yellow-and-Blue’s brand new head coach Peter Bosz saw his side defeat Maccabi Haifa 2:1 and was very content with the effort of his club following the victory. He spoke about the way the match played out, his first impressions of the Israeli league and the terrific atmosphere at Bloomfield Stadium in his debut:

“The atmosphere was fantastic and the fans were amazing, we started pretty well and we played high tempo football. When we lost the ball we immediately pressured Haifa to regain possession. I’m really happy that we won tonight.”

On how his players performed:

“I’m pleased with the players and they worked very hard right from the beginning. I asked them to play with passion and they did. We could have killed the game off 332A1604especially when we had the penalty but missed. After Haifa scored we had to make sure we held on for the win and we did just that.”

What he expects going forward:

“I want to see 90 minutes of the way we played, especially in the first half. There are small details to look at and work on. Their coach changed his offense in the second half and we had to adjust accordingly. I have to continue to learn our players.”

First thoughts on the Israeli league:

“Yesterday was my first impression when I went to the Hapoel Tel Aviv and Bnei Yehuda game. Today’s match was played at a faster pace and there was a lot of quality playing very high tempo in front of a very good crowd.

About playing Mitrovic in his last game:

“I announced my team yesterday and I didn’t know he was leaving until right before today’s match.”

Maccabi Triumph in Bosz’s Debut 2:1

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The Yellow-and-Blue sent the fans into delirium as their side went on an impressive offensive assault throughout the 90 minutes against Roni Levy’s overmatched Maccabi Haifa side winning 2:1. Tal Ben Chaim shredded the Greens defense time after time as Dor Micha seemed to be able to pass the ball at will to his teammates. But of course it would be the captain Eran Zahavi who would play hero scoring the club’s first goal while Ben Chaim collected the second. Yossi Benayoun gave Haifa hope with his 70th minute strike but Maccabi held on for the final minutes of heart palpitating football to take the 3-points and stay within one of Hapoel Beer Sheva at the top of the table.332A1518

New Head Coach Peter Bosz featured a lineup of Captain Eran Zahavi up front wth Tal Ben Chaim and Dor Micha by his sides. Nikola Mitrovic, Nosa Igiebor and Gal Alberman patrolled the midfield while Eitan Tibi, Omri Ben Harush and veteran defender Tal Ben Haim played in front of Serbian keeper Predrag Raijkovic.

The first half began at a frantic pace as Maccabi Tel Aviv went on the attack early and often playing a 4-3-3 formation. The Yellow-and-Blue’s first chance came in the 6th minute when Mitrovic sent Zahavi a terrific ball, but the Greens keeper Vladimir Stoykovich was in the right place to make the save. Six minutes later, Ben Chaim also had a nice chance but the Haifa shot stopper made the save yet again. Tibi, playing left back provided Igiebor with a fantastic opportunity but his effort went high over the bar to keep the match goalless.332A1583

The home side continued to race around the pitch and their determination paid off. In the 32nd minute Zahavi would cash in off a gorgeous pass by Micha, as the captain would score his 20th goal of the season. Just four minutes later Zahavi played kingmaker giving Ben Chaim a fabulous pass as the winger turned Aied Hashbi inside out to score on a curling shot into the right hand corner of the Haifa goal. The Yellow-and-Blue continued to press for the balance of the half as Maccabi took a 2:0 lead into the break.

The second half began like a mirror of the first as the Yellow-and-Blue continued their offensive control of the match. In the 50th minute Zahavi had a chance to collect his second goal of the evening but he failed to convert on his spot kick from 11 meters as Stoykovich dove to his left to paw the ball to safety. Mitrovic, Igiebor and Ben Chaim all had chances soon thereafter but their efforts missed the target to keep the score as is.332A1672

However, all was not lost for the Greens as their captain Yossi Benayoun would smash home a rebound in the 70th minute to cut the Maccabi lead to 2:1 just after midfielder Mitrovic was substituted off to a standing ovation in favor of Shlomi Azulay. Dor Micha would also leave to a round of applause in the 85th minute as Gili Vermouth came onto the pitch in his place.

Over the final few minutes of the match, Haifa unleashed wave after wave of attack but their efforts came up empty as Maccabi held on for the 2:1 win.

Nikola MITROVIC LEAVING

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Maccabi Tel Aviv FC agreed to Nikola Mitrovic’s request from a month ago to leave the club as the 29-year-old Serbian midfielder ‎made his final appearance for the club against Maccabi Haifa at Bloomfield.332A1722-2

Sports Director Jordi Cruyff told the clubs’ official website: “We would like to thank Nikola who has been a very important player in the past 2.5 years. Mitro was a professional until his last day with us, playing and training with lots of passion‏. We wish him all the best for the future”.

Rikan: “We’re starting all over again”

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 Avi Rikan, the Yellow-and-Blue’s midfielder is getting for the Israeli Classico match on Sunday January 10th, 20:55 at Bloomfield Stadium against Maccabi Haifa. Number 22 joined Maccabi this past summer from Zurich and reflected on the last match against the Greens, looked ahead to this game at home and of course welcomed the new coach to the club:

אבי ריקן לקראת המשחק נגד מכבי חיפה

“We still have a few days until the match and we will continue to get to know each other, learn what the new coach expects from us and do it as quickly as possible prior to the match on Sunday.”

How does it feel to have a new coach at this point of the season?

“We put our feelings to the side as we are professionals. What interests us is getting into the swing of things and working hard, that’s what we care about most right now. We’ll get ready for the upcoming match and find out exactly what the coach’s expectations are for us.”

What effect has this had on the players?

“Of course everyone wants to prove that they can play and the coach has very little time to get to know us over the next few days prior to the game. We will all go over what we need to and get ready the best that we can. There’s a real will to want to have our training sessions at the highest possible level and we’re working very hard. We’re starting all over again.”

Looking ahead to the Maccabi Haifa Israeli Classico match on Sunday:

“Maccabi Haifa is a big team and always a difficult opponent. Every time Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa play there are a lot of expectations. The expectations are high for the quality of the match and of course to win the game. We will do all that is necessary to make sure we win.”

Playing at Bloomfield:

“I’m sure Bloomfield will be totally packed with Yellow-and-Blue supporters on Sunday and that the fans will be behind us. We will do everything in our power to win the match, make sure that everyone leaves happy and that we take the points. That’s what is most important.”

About the previous match against Haifa:

“We won last match at Sammy Ofer but it wasn’t an easy game. This time at Blomfield I’m sure we will be more dominant and also control the flow of the match. If we get an early goal then everyone will be happy and if not, we will work hard to make sure that we score.”

Maccabi “Shachar” falls 1-0 in the Derby

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Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fell 1:0 to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Derby match at Wolfson in a game that wasn’t played at the highest of levels by both sides. The Reds were awarded a controversial 90th minute penalty as the foul in question looked to have occurred outside of the box. Nachmias scored for Hapoel to win the match.332A0889

Maccabi’s opening opportunity came early on in the 3rd minute when Gaby Kanichowsky brought down a beautiful ball with the help of his chest right to Maxim Grechkin, but his chance went over the bar. Hapoel also had a quality chance to take the lead, but Yellow-and-Blue keeper Haviv Ohayon was in the right place to make the save off of Roy Meilika’s shot. The half ended with few opportunities by either side as the clubs went into the break tied at 0:0.

Coach Ziv Arie made no changes to begin the second half and within the first five minutes both teams had a chance on goal. In the 65th minute, Maccabi made three substitutions and brought on Guy Aviv who just returned to the Under-19 team, Yarin Sharabi who was promoted from the Under-17 side and Bar Galili.
332A0853
As the match neared its end, Eylon Almog gave Maccabi their best chance to score but his effort just missed the goal. Then in the 90th minute Hapoel were awarded a penalty for a foul that looked to have happened outside of the box. Raz Nachmias stepped up to take the spot kick and scored from 11 meters giving the Reds the Derby victory and the 3-points.

Yellow vs Green Drama at the State Cup Semi-Final

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 There are some that say that this was the all-time greatest match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa and you can understand why. 45,000 fans packed into Ramat Gan Stadium and tens of thousands more who were watching on TV saw one of the greatest sporting events in Israel that ultimately ended with Maccabi heading to the State Cup Final.

It all began in the 2nd minute when Moshe Schweitzer scored sending the Yellow-and-Blue fans into pandemonium. David Amiga’s ball found a totally open Schweitzer that signaled the beginning of one of the most amazing games in State Cup history. Moti Ivanir added to the lead and gave Maccabi a 2:0 advantage at the half making everyone think that the club had already booked their ticket to the final.

But in the 50th minute, Haifa cut the lead after a costly error by Maccabi. Keeper Moshe Marcus mishandled a ball that Moshe Selecter easily slotted home from the left side of the goal cutting the lead to 2:1. Just minutes later Haifa evened the score when Yaron Persalani headed the ball past Marcus tying the match up at 2:2. At that point, Maccabi coach David Schweitzer decided to make a change between the pipes and brought in Boni Ginzburg for a stunned Marcus. It didn’t take long for Maccabi to take the lead again when Menashe Shimonov slammed home a perfect chance in front of the goal off of a corner. In the 72nd minute the Greens were awarded a penalty when Hillel Kaplan was pulled down in the box. Selecter stepped up and beat Ginzburg to make the score 3:3 as the result would stay that way for the balance of regulation time.

As the clock hit the 108th minute of extra time it looked like Haifa had sewed up the win. A long pass by Selecter landed right onto Ronny Rosenthal’s feet as the Israeli international beat an oncoming Ginzburg by lifting the ball over the keeper. However, Benny Tabak would have none of that as the Maccabi star received Amiga’s corner and put the ball into the goal for a 4:4 tie as the match headed into penalty kicks.

The Greens kicked first and Selecter scored his third of the match. Avraham Levi was up first for the Yellow-and-Blue and he also scored. Kaplan put his kick behind Ginzburg and when Yehuda Katsav missed his opportunity for Maccabi, all fingers pointed towards Haifa moving on. But Eli Cohen blew his chance coupled with Yakov Nomeder’s miss for the Yellow-and-Blue and then a goal by the Greens defender Yossi Kramer put Haifa in front 3:1.

Have we said that this was a crazy match? Moti Ivanir cut the penalty shootout to 3:2 and a save by Ginzburg on Reuven Haled’s kick opened the door for Yiftach Halevi to draw the sides even at 3:3. It was Ronny Rosenthal’s turn and he came up short, stonewalled by the young keeper making a great save on a tough kick. Maccabi then had a chance to end one of the most impossible games but David Amiga missed his opportunity allowing both of the team’s keepers to step-up to the spot with each scoring their efforts to make the score 4:4.

Gaby Amsalem aimed for the right corner just like Rosenthal had done but Ginzburg made the save once again. Benny Tabak then stepped up and cooly put his ball right into the left corner of the goal finally ending one of the most dramatic matches in all of Israeli football history.