Tonight at 20:30 in Teddy Stadium Maccabi will return to the semi-final of the State Cup to play against second division Maccabi Akhi Nazareth.

Today Maccabi defender Yoav Ziv could not conceal his excitement towards the match: “We really want to win the semi-final. We don’t want to look too far ahead or at the next opponent, because we will be punished if we will be complacent. The desire to succeed is great.  The cup is something sweet that you win and lift at the same moment. It’s not like a league championship that comes at the end of a whole season”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyyxH6uhpPo

Regarding the fact that ten years have passed since the last semi-final appearance said Ziv: “Our team doesn’t need tips from me because our team is experienced in these stages, as well as others competitions. We need to come focused and forget about complacency. People love "Cinderellas" in the cup and we do not want any Cinderella celebrating on our expense”.

“Akhi is team that we don’t know as well but we do not belittle them”, added Ziv. “We will be suitably prepared-we watched their videos, we know their players and we are ready for the game”.

 

 

 

Ever dreamt of coming out on the pitch at Bloomfield Stadium in team kit to display your own special football moves to the cheers of thousands of adoring Maccabi fans? Here's your chance to make it happen!

Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club and NIVEA MEN, the world's leading cosmetics brand for men, are proud to invite two of the club's loyal season ticket holders to join them for a challenge – the NIVEA MEN CHALLENGE. Started last month at the home tie against Maccabi Haifa, the NIVEA MEN CHALLENGE will be repeated at half time of the team's next home game against Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield Stadium on April 20^th. The two lucky participants will first be given a full Maccabi kit to wear, with their names and chosen numbers printed on the back. Then they'll receive a short training before taking their place on the pitch to face their challenge, with the entire Maccabi home crowd looking on in envy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgDyzSRImcc

What will be the challenge this time? Wait and see. One thing is for certain: The winner will receive a handsome reward – a season's worth of NIVEA MEN products in a special gift package. And both contestants will be invited to have their photographs taken to save the moment for posterity.

So if you're a season ticket holder over the age of 18, and have at least some basic footballing skills, just fill in this online form and submit it by Thursday, April 30^th at 5pm.

Are you ready for the challenge?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvdiIuinOUU

State Cup's Semi-Final will take place on Wednesday 20:30 in Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem. Nikola Mitrovic that will experience his first appearance at the semi-final spoke of the upcoming game: "This is our chance to make History. Ahi Nazareth is a good team, but we need to make our step towards a historical record. We have a chance to win a Treble, and we need to make it happen. Last year we had the European Campaign and it added more games to the schedule, not like this season. We need to concentrate on our gameplay and not on the opponent's strategy".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvdiIuinOUU

Regarding his future in Maccabi said the midfielder: "My job is to prove myself at the pitch. The rest is up to Maccabi. I would like to stay here because I really love it here".

 

 

Important Notice for Maccabi Tel Aviv Fans!

Israel Railways have notified that all trains to Jerusalem tomorrow, Wednesday 28th April 2015, have been cancelled due to maintenance work on the line.

Fans who have purchased tickets in advance will be given the alternative of using the tickets travel by bus from Tel Aviv Savidor Station to the Malha Station in Jerusalem and back.

Members of FanZone have risen to the challenge, and, in cooperation with Maccabi Tel Aviv, will offer fans cheap transportation from Tel Aviv Savidor Station to Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, departing at 17:30 and returning immediately after the game.

 

Registration is open to all

Maccabi Tel Aviv will head to Teddi Stadium in Jerusalem on Wednesday (20:00) to play in the semi final of the State Cup. The team that would face Maccabi in Jerusalem would be Maccabi Akhi Nazareth.

On the route to the semi final Maccabi faced Hapoel Ashkelon from Liga Alef, Beitar Tel Aviv-Ramla from the National League and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona from the Premier League. On Wednesday, Maccabi will meet again an opponent from the National League in an encounter that would send the winner to the cup final in Teddi Stadium against either Hapoel Be’er Sheva, or Hapoel Afula.

Then who is Akhi Nazareth.

The club was founded in 1973 and currently plays its football in Ilut, in northern Israel. Maccabi Akhi Nazareth played only two seasons in the top division. In 2003/04 the club qualified to the first division for the first time in its history. Being led by coach Azmi Nassar. Akhi Nazareth met Maccabi three times, with Maccabi winning in two occasions and another meeting ended in a draw.

In 2009/10 Akhi Nazareth qualified to the premier league for the second time in its history. The club, managed by John Gregory faced Maccabi twice that season- the first round encounter ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw, while a single goal by Yaniv Luzon gave Akhi Nazareth its first victory over Maccabi in the second round.

Today, Maccabi Akhi Nazareth is based at the 7th place in the National League. The team led by coach Nissan Yehezkel, scored 46 goals in 33 games, the 5th best scoring record in the National League. On the defensive side things are a little more shaky for Yehezekl’s side, as they have conceded 54 goals, the second worse record in the league.

Akhi Nazareth’s squad contains a few notable players, with two former Maccabi players Gal Nir and Alan Masudi playing an important role in the team. The team also has several former Premier League players, such as Ali Khatib, Shai Maimon, Na’al Khotaba, David Gomes and Ido Exbard. Exbard is undoubtedly the one to watch in Nazareth. The forward from Be’er Sheva scored 18 league goals this season, while adding five more in the cup. Akhi Nazareth has another Maccabi connection, with forward Anas Dabbur, Munas’s brother who left for Swiss Grasshoppers last season.

Akhi Nazareh’s road to the semi final was long and included several difficult hurdles. The team started the campaign in December, having beat Hapoel Jerusalem 2-0 with Ido Exbard scoring a brace. Next team to be knocked out by Akhi Nazareth was Maccabi Netanya. The game was held in Ilut and the locals managed to pull a 3-1 victory, after trailing from a goal by Iyad Abud Abaid. Goals from Exbard, Masudi and Ali Khatib sent the Cinderella to the next round. Ahki’s next victim in Ilut was M.S. Ashdod. Goals by Exbard and Gomes gave the hosts a comfortable lead that was not disrupted from a late goal by Solari. A 2-1 win over Ashdod was enough to send the Akhi Nazareth to the quarter-final.

Up next was National League rivals Hapoel Kfar Saba. After beating two Premier League teams, Akhi Nazareth had to work harder in this double header. The first away leg ended in a draw and a single goal by Ido Exbard in Ilut was enough to make sure that Akhi Nazareth will travel to the capital for the semi-final.

Now, having won all its home games, Akhi Nazareth will face Maccabi Tel Aviv in neutral Teddi stadium, for the first time this season for both clubs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biwP8tHpkKg