Category: News

Zahavi- “The Goal is getting a point”

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 After the 4:0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Matchday One of the Champions League Group Stages, the Maccabi captain, Eran Zahavi hopes that he along with his teammates can improve when they face Dynamo Kyiv tomorrow night. The goal will be for the Yellow-and-Blue to score their first points of their European campaign.

 “I believe that the transition from the Champions League to the Israeli League also has a mental affect on the club,” explained Zahavi at the press conference prior to the match at Sammy Ofer Stadium. “The loss to Raanana can only happen once in many matches. I think that we’re on the right path and we are preparing for a very difficult game against a team that we know plays at a higher level than us, Dynamo Kyiv and I’m hoping that we can get a good result.”

On not scoring in a few matches:

 “Even though I haven’t scored in a few matches, that doesn’t mean that something has changed and that doesn’t make me a different player. I also believe I’m doing other work including opening up other areas of the pitch and like I said before I believe we are on the right path.”

The match against Kyiv is one that Maccabi should score some points:

“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves and we respect our opponent. We want to come and take some points just like we also wanted to do when we played Chelsea. The goal is to come into every game looking to take points in the competition. We want to show that we can play attractive football at home. Of course we have a better chance in Israel than away but we are facing an excellent club and we will have to work very hard to take some points even here.”

How does this compare to your last Champions League campaign:

“I’m not going to discuss other teams that played other times in the Champions League. We’re coming into the match to play the best that we can and we are also playing totally different teams. The goal is to play quality football and make sure that the supporters can enjoy the match and for us to take at least a point.”

On playing a more physical opponent:

“I think we have plenty to give on the physical level as well. We can do some things better than them and some things not a well and we have to take advantage of our strengths. We want to give the best that we can. What’s most important is the end result and I hope we can achieve it.”

Who’s the most dangerous player on Dynamo Kyiv:

“I’m not familiar with all of their players but I do know they have some very good ones. Andriy Yarmolenko is a very dangerous player, but like I said before there are many players on their team that are dangerous and we’re prepared for them.”

Know your opponent- Dynamo Kyiv

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Maccabi Tel Aviv host Dynamo Kyiv on Matchday Two of the UEFA Champions League Group Stages at Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa. Over 30,000 rabid fans will be in attendance and will welcome the Yellow-and-Blue back to Europe’s grand stage on Israeli soil.

How much do you know about the Ukrainian club that will be visiting the Holy Land? Can you name the club’s top players, coach and what their expectations are this season? The Sports Rabbi Josh Halickman speaks to a couple journalists who intimately cover Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukraine Football League to give us the lowdown on what Maccabi fans can expect.

אנדרי ירמלנקו

After a two year hiatus, Dynamo Kyiv returns to the Champions League Group Stages. However, this won’t be the first time that Maccabi will be taking on Kyiv in European play as the sides battled in the Europa League back in 2011 when the teams drew both matches 3:3 and 1:1.

A very young player by the name of Andriy Yarmolenko was just 20 years old then, but now he is unquestionably the club’s star, notes Chris Dewar of the Ukraine Premyer Liha Twitter account @Premyer_Liha: “Yarmolenko is the main danger man and he had a terrific Europa League campaign last season. He also was vastly important in winning the league and cup double last year on the domestic front. He missed the game against Porto due to falling ill just before the match and never featured. Another player to look out for is Vitaliy Buyalskiy. The youngster has made a great impression since breaking onto the scene last season and headed Dynamo’s equalizer against Porto on Matchday One.”

Manuel Veth, editor-in-chief of futbolgrad.com who recently finished his PhD on the economics and politics of football in the Soviet and post-Soviet space, chimed in saying that other players who could cause Maccabi trouble are: “Derlis Gonzalez, Evgen Khacheridi, and Aleksandar Dragović.”

2014 saw Kyiv undergo some major changes with the club hiring former star striker סרגיי רברובSerhiy Rebrov to be their manager. Rebrov was a prolific scorer in his day as he scored over 150 goals in all competitions with 113 of them coming for Dynamo Kyiv. Thankfully for the club and its supporters he has been able to bring back some of the team’s former glory explains Dewar: “Rebrov has installed a fresh approach to what Oleh Blokhin had. Blokhin was an old school coach stuck in the Lobanovskiy era and Shakhtar were leaving Kyiv way behind. Rebrov has moved up a good few academy players and definitely sees this approach as the way to go, with keeping the balance of solid foreign players he has at the moment.”

Veth also commended the coach, as well as commented on his style of play: “Rebrov did a fabulous job last season guiding Dynamo to their first title since 2009. The club plays a typical 4-2-3-1 formation with Younes Belhanda as the play-maker and Artem Kravets on top. Yarmolenko roams the right wing, but can be found switching sides to increase scoring chances.”

Expectations are high for the renewed and reinvigorated Ukrainian club as Veth continues to explain: “Domestically Kyiv are once again on top of the table, and the expectation is for the club to defend the Ukrainian championship, although it will be a close race with Shakhtar Donetsk. But this is Serhiy Rebrov’s first-ever campaign in the Champions League, and Dynamo’s performances in the league thus far haven’t been all that impressive. A third place finish and a trip to the Europa League wouldn’t be a אלכסנדר שובקובסקיdisaster.”

Dewar echoes the almost identical thoughts: “The precedent has been set from last season – not winning the league this year would be a huge disappointment. As far as the Champions League is concerned, it’s a tough group but Dynamo need to be looking for points against Maccabi and a draw in Porto to have a chance of moving on in my opinion. Anything from Chelsea would be a bonus.”

There is a deep connection between Dynamo Kyiv and its supporters to Israel as there are many former Ukrainians living currently in Israel proper tells Veth: “There are strong ties between the Ukrainian and Israeli community, and in the past plenty of Dynamo fans travelled to the training camps and mini-tournaments that took place in the country and I therefore expect a decent turn out of Kyiv fans for the match in Haifa.”

Dewar went one step further as to what the Yellow-and-Blue faithful will be seeing from the Kyiv supporters: “Dynamo regularly visits Israel for winter training camps so there should be some familiarity. But you can no doubt expect at least 200 hardcore fans that will go anywhere in Europe and will be in Haifa cheering Kyiv on.”

Here I am: Meet Avi Rikan

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Avi Rikan joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in time to play in the pair of games against Viktoria Plzen during Champions League qualifying. Little did he know that just a bit over a month later he would be playing in the group stages of the illustrious competition and taking to the pitch in England against the Premier League Champs, Chelsea. It’s been a whirlwind for one of Maccabi’s news stars as Rikan talks about coming back to play in Israel, the Champions league and more:

הנה אני בא: ת.ז עם אבי ריקן

Q: Why did you decide to come back and play in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv?

“I had to make a decision as to where I would play and where I could also continue to advance and improve. I received offers both in Switzerland and other places in Europe. You know a player has to weigh his options and also look at what type of place can help him as well. I made my choice and I don’t regret it.”

Q: How did you feel when you went onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea?

AQ7A0180“Against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge I entered some sort of bubble. I tried to disconnect from all of the excitement and the experience in order to perform the best that I could on the pitch, but it’s hard to disconnect from such an amazing atmosphere, the Champions League anthem and the crowd. If Mourinho came over and asked us if this game was in Tel Aviv because of the terrific supporters this explains exactly what kind of feeling it was to be on the grandest stage. When I got home and I looked back at the whole experience, I realized how powerful it was.”

Q: You were able to quickly become part of the team?

I’ve been hearing that from the first day I arrived here. That’s just my character. When I got to Zurich I was given the captain’s armband after only two months with the club. Not the first but the second captain, they gave me the responsibility very quickly and I enjoy it, it’s fun for me. I think that it’s also fun for the guys.”

Short questions & answers:

Q: Tell us something that we don’t know about you?

“There’s not a lot. Unlike many players I don’t have any superstitions.”

Q: Jerusalem or Tel Aviv?

“As someone from Jerusalem, when you say Tel Aviv it’s pretty serious, but I’ve softened אבי ריקןup a bit since I’ve gotten here. Now I live in Rishon Le’Zion so it’s somewhere in the middle.”

Q: The white, blue or yellow Maccabi Jersey?

“I think the yellow. Maccabi’s yellow, isn’t it? There all nice and I have all three at home. But I think for Maccabi, it’s got to be the yellow.”

Q: Defensive back or midfielder?

“Midfielder. I like to play as a midfielder. I like playing offense as I’m better on the attack than defensively. But if I’m needed to play as a defensive back, I’m there.”

Q: Which three friends would you invite to your Sukkah?

“If I had the option I would take all of them and with God’s help build a big enough Sukkah for everyone. But if I had to choose, then I’d first invite Eden Ben Basat who always puts a smile on my face. Barak Itzhaki, because he’s someone I really like even from when we played together with Beitar Jerusalem. The third would have to be winger Tal Ben Chaim”.

Grechkin: “We need that extra push”

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Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will make history on Tuesday as they will host Dynamo Kyiv in their first home game of the UEFA Champions League Youth Tournament on Matchday Two. The match will take place at Grundman Stadium in Ramat HaSharon at 13:00 and admission is free.

Maxim Grechkin, Maccabi “Shachar”’s left back spoke to the official website about his teammate’s feelings prior to the important match against the Ukrainian side and how important a packed Grundman Stadium would be for the club:

“There’s a lot of excitement as this is the biggest European tournament for youth players and it’s a huge opportunity for us to be part of it. We have a couple of days to prepare for the match and we’re trying to put a great effort into the training sessions in order to do the best that we can. Our last opponent was the European Champions. We did some scouting and we have a file on the Kyiv youth side so we know what each player’s strengths and weaknesses are.”

On the importance of the supporters on Tuesday:

“The fans are 50% of the game. You can be a good team and you can play well but we also need the support to back us up. Just like at Sammy Ofer where there will be over 30,000 fans we would be happy to see 2,000 at our home match. We need that extra push and it’s always fun to have the crowd behind us. We will be 150% ready for this game even though we lost to Sakhnin which was a tough match. There’s a difference between the two competitions and we are going into the game to take three points.”

On his personal goals this season as an older player:

“For me this is a challenge as this is a new group of players. We had an extended training camp and I’m sure with the other two older players we can develop into a strong team that you’ll be able to see on the pitch.”

YELLOW-AND-BLUE SATURDAY – MATCH RESULTS

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The Under-19 side wasn’t able to break through the Sakhnin defense, the Under-17 team wasn’t in action due to the Eid Mubarak holiday, but it was Eliezer Ben Aharon’s Under-16 club that stole the show against Beitar Jerusalem at Kiryat Shalom.

Bnei Sakhnin 1:0 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv

Just prior to their Champions League Youth League match, Ziv Arie’s Under-19 club was unable to pick up an away win against the newly promoted Sakhnin side, losing on a 60th minute goal by Ameer Khalaila. Maccabi “Shachar” will face Dynamo Kyiv this Tuesday at Grundman Stadium in Ramat HaSharon at 13:00. Admission is free of charge, so come on and cheer them on while you’re on your way to Sammy Ofer!

Beitar Jerusalem 1:9 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv

One of the most sensational games of the weekend was no doubt that of the Under-16 side under the guidance of Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gadi Brumer. The young Yellow-and-Blues shocked the capital city’s club scoring nine goals between the 9th and 80th minutes. Goal scorers included Sa’adon Barami & Shachar Ayalon with braces, Younes Gabarin, Dani Amar, Idan Tzioni, Muflach Sha’ata and Tamir Glazer.

Do you want an official Dynamo Kyiv match scarf?

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Are you coming to the Dynamo Kyiv match on Tuesday? Then don’t forget to stop by one of the official Maccabi Tel Aviv merchandise stands that will be around the Haifa stadium where you can purchase all kinds of great club products.

From the official scarf to official Champions League match jerseys and much, much more!

Where can you find a stand and when will they open?

merchandise-stands1300X1300

Vermouth-“I’m ready to play”

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Gili Vermouth played a key role in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 2:0 win over Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa and spoke about getting back to his old self, the Maccabi supporters and his defensive play:

You are beginning to play like the old Gili Vermouth that we’re used to seeing:

 “I feel like I’m in good shape and have played over the past few matches as a sub in the games against Kiryat Shemona and Beer Sheva and played well. Last match against Raanana I started but we don’t want to remember the match because we lost. Today was really a good game as I was dangerous plus we won the match.”

 The crowd cheered you on after the match:

 “It’s always good when the fans cheer for you and I hope that it continues this way and that we as a team can keep it up. We played well, but I was concerned about the match because if Haifa beats us they would have been only two points away from us. I’m happy that it didn’t happen and that the other results today were in our favor so it was a good Saturday all around for us.

 How is it to get positive feedback:

 “It’s great to hear a good word or get a pat in the back but for me the most important thing is that I played a full 90 minutes for two matches in a row and that gives me a chance to show what I can really do and I can keep improving.”

 You’ve been able to really turn it in the last few weeks:

“I don’t think that there’s a big switch. The first month I was still getting over the injury but now I’m feeling really good and can continue on to help the club dominate matches.”

 This should be the final mark for you to get the start against Dynamo Kyiv:

 “You never know, but I’m ready to play.”

 The defense you played today is not something that you had to do in the past:

 “I worked very hard today and didn’t have an ounce of energy left after the match. Some games you have to work harder than others. Today I had to do a lot of defensive work and I know how to work hard. If Avi Rikan plays the position that I did today he would have worked even harder than me as I’m a bit more of an attacking player.”

Mitrovic: “The win came at the right time”

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Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Haifa 2:0 away and as usual Nikola Mitrovic played a key role in the win as he discussed the match and the upcoming Champions League match:

This was an important win for the club:

“For sure it was an important win for us after not winning after a few matches. The win came at the right time, we played well and we deserved to win.”

מיטרוביץ’ מסכם את הניצחון על מכבי חיפה

 What was the difference between the game tonight and the one last week:

“It was a completely different game. Raanana came to defend and we gave up two goals on counter attacks. It’s true we didn’t have a good game but in the end we didn’t win. It may have been naive for us to concede the second goal and perhaps the first. But you know this is football. Tonight we showed that we are a strong team, we kept the ball, we had our chances and we defended well. Most importantly we didn’t give up a goal and these are all good things for us.”

Was this a test for the team after the loss to Raanana and prior to the Dynamo Kyiv game:

“Yes for sure. It’s true tonight was a difficult game for us at a tough time after not winning in a few weeks. This gave us confidence right before the home game in the Champions League.”

Was it important to play at Sammy Ofer just three days before the Champions League match:

 “Tonight was an away game and Tuesday will be a home game. I’m sure our supporters will play an important role and create a good atmosphere. I know this team and they are very good, but I’m sure we will fight to the end in order to get a good result.”

Bnei Sakhnin defeats Maccabi Shachar Tel Aviv 1:0

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Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv travelled up north to play Bnei Sakhnin on Matchday Two of the Ligat Ha’Al Youth League and came up short losing 1:0.

The opening of the match was fairly even as both sides had trouble mustering up many chances with the majority of the play taking place around midfield. Arie’s team tried to find a way through the stingy Sakhnin defense to no avail as the clubs headed into halftime tied 0:0.

The Yellow-and-Blue looked for a goal at the start of the second half but it was Ameer Khalaila who scored for Sakhnin capitalizing on a Maccabi mistake in the 60th minute. Tomer Altman and his teammates tried to find the equalizer but the Sakhnin ‘keeper Kamal Kanahna seemed to always be in the right place at the right time as the home side collected the three-points and the win.

Next week, Maccabi Netanya visits Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Ramle Stadium on Matchday Three of the Israel Youth League.

Peretz- “We deserved the win today”

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Dor Peretz has been been gaining the confidence of coach Slavisa Jokanovic and has been playing regularly in a number of positions for the Yellow-and-Blue. Peretz talks about the win, his goal and how the club felt after the match:

יוקאנוביץ’ ופרץ מסכמים את הניצחון

This was a very important win for Maccabi Tel Aviv after last week’s loss to Raanana:

“I don’t think that this was just an important win because we lost to Ranaana, but this was an important win in general. We showed what we can do and we worked very hard all match. We deserved the win today and we’re happy that it ended the way it did.”

Was this a big test for the club:

“It was a test for us to show how we can battle and how we can play together and we showed that we could.”

Was it important to win at Sammy Ofer Stadium before you play here against Dynamo Kyiv:

“It’s important to win every game and especially the one we just played as it wasn’t easy.

Maccabi Haifa has been struggling lately:

“I don’t think that’s what we thought, we just look at ourselves to make sure that we come and play well and win. We don’t concern ourselves with the other team be it Maccabi Haifa or anyone else.”

The coach keeps having more and more confidence in you in the league and in Europe:

“I know that I work hard and if the coach sees that in me then I’m happy that he believes in me.”

What were the feelings in the locker room before and after the game:

“Before the game we all knew that this was a very important match for us and it’s a great feeling to play in a stadium in front of over 30,000 fans. After the match I just felt great especially that I scored a goal and we all were pretty happy that we won here in late in the game and showed what we know how to do best, which is to win.”