Preview:

Maccabi arrived at the Sheriff Main Arena in Tiraspol ahead of the first leg of the Europa League 2nd qualifying round tie which kick starts their 2026/27 European campaign.

Maccabi’s Head Coach Kenny Miller stuck with the same starting line-up that recorded a convincing 3-1 victory away to Hapoel Be’ersheva in the Super Cup. Ofek Melika started in goal with Itai Ben Hamo, Ali Camara and Raz Shlomo lining up as three central defenders on front of the keeper. Sagiv Jehezkel who provided all three assists against Be’rsheva and Roy Revivo started at right and left wing-backs respectively. Issouf Sissokho and Itamar Noy were named by Kenny Miller in Maccabi’s engine room. Dor Peretz who led the team out with the captain’s armband and Ido Shahar were both named by Miller in a slightly more attacking role. While Saied Abu Farchi spearheaded Maccabi’s attack.

On the bench Miller welcomed back from suspension Tyrese Asante, Kristijan Belic and Elad Madmon with Helio Varela

who returned from World Cup action was also named amongst the substitutes. Goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Dan Glazer, Noam Ben Harosh, Shahar Rosen, Osher Davida, Ori Azo, Noam Schwartz and Ilay Ben Simon were also named on the bench waiting for their chance.

First half

Maccabi began the match on the front foot looking dangerous down the left as Roy Revivo caused the Sheriff defense trouble down the left. Maccabi continued to expose the Moldovan’s defense down that side and were rewarded for their efforts early on. With less than five minutes on the clock Maccabi had the ball in then back of the net as Ido Shahar curled a cross from the left befire Saied Abu Farchi rose high and sent his header past goalkeeper Emil Timbur. Two minutes later Maccabi came close to double their lead but Sagiv Jehezkel fired his shot over. The hosts were almost back on level terms in the ninth minute as Dhoraso Klas floated a cross over Maccabi’s defense. Jayder Asprilla sent a dangerous header which was making its’ way in but Ofek Melika stretched himself and turned the ball over the crossbar. The action packed start to the match continued in the 10th minute as Itamar Noy had two more chances to increase Maccabi’s lead in the space of 30 seconds. Noy’s initial close range effort was blocked by Sheriff’s keeper before his second effort was cleared by a defender. In the 25th minute while Revivo was receiving treatment on the byline, Sheriff managed to find a breakthrough but a dangerous cross was palmed away by the alert Melika.

Three minutes later at the opposite end Maccabi came close as Itai Ben Hamo carved the Sheriff’s defense open with a perfect through ball to Jehezkel who dragged his shot just wide of the far post. This must have been a sign of what was there to come as a minute later in what was a regular routine last season as Revivo added another assist to his name to set up Dor Peretz. The talented 23-year-old left back sent a trademark pinpoint cross from the left allowing Peretz to finish with a clinical half volley that rolled into the bottom corner.

Second half:

Kenny Miller didn’t make any changes after the interval but Maccabi began the second period exactly how they did in the first half. Seven minutes after the restart Maccabi increased their lead even further as Revivo added another assist to his name this time releasing Jehezkel who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Three minutes after the hour mark Miller made a triple substitution as Noy, Jehezkel and Shahar all bowed out and were replaced by Kristijan Belic, Osher Davida and Helio Varela.

In the 69th minute however Konan Loukou found himself unmarked inside Maccabi’s box but forced a fingertip save from Melika. Belic limped off on 72 and was replaced by Dan Glazer while a minute later Abu Farchi released Peretz into the box before the captain was hacked down. Cypriot referee Kyriakos Athanasiou awarded a penalty before Abu Farchi stepped up and successfully blasted the spot kick into the top corner to make it four. Maccabi were awarded a free kick after Revivo was fouled just outside the area in the 77th minute. Revivo’s attemot of a cross was cleared but reached Issouf Sissokho who blasted in his debut goal and Maccabi’s fifth.

Melika kept his goal locked in the 87th minute as the 21-year-old keeper saved with his feet from Asprilla who was clear through before palming away Danila Forov’s powerful rebound.

“It’s very exciting, and we’re really looking forward to it,” Revivo said ahead of the match. “It’s always special to play in a European competition, especially with Maccabi. It’s a completely different experience the tempo is different, everything is much faster and more intense.”

On Sheriff Tiraspol and the team’s preparations, the defender said: “We know Sheriff are a strong and aggressive team. The coaching staff have prepared us in the best possible way for this match.”

Revivo also addressed the fact that Maccabi is once again forced to play its home European matches outside Israel and without the backing of its fans in the stands: “We really miss our supporters. Of course it would have made a huge difference if they were with us in the stadium, pushing us on, but that’s the current situation and there’s nothing we can do about it. We can’t wait to see them again, we miss them very much, and we want to make them happy with a victory.”

Maccabi kick off its 27th European campaign on Thursday (20:00) more than any other Israeli club. This marks the club’s 14th consecutive season in European competitions, the longest streak in Israeli football history.

Ahead of Thursday’s curtain raiser against Sheriff Tiraspol, here are the key numbers behind Maccabi’s European journey:

27 European campaigns, an Israeli record.

14 Consecutive seasons in European competition, the longest streak by any Israeli club.

209 Matches played in UEFA competitions, more than any other Israeli club. Maccabi Haifa is next with 162 matches, followed by Hapoel Tel Aviv with 106.

Maccabi’s overall European record currently stands on 88 victories, 43 draws and 78 defeats.

Maccabi’s overall Goal difference currently stands on 267 goals scored and 286 conceded.

11 Appearances in the group stage of UEFA competitions, more than any other Israeli club:

• 2 Champions League
• 7 Europa League
• 2 Conference League

4 Occasions on which Maccabi progressed beyond the group stage:

• 2013/14 – vs Basel
• 2020/21 – vs Shakhtar Donetsk
• 2021/22 – vs PSV Eindhoven
• 2023/24 – Direct qualification to the Conference League Round of 16, the best European achievement in the club’s history.

244 Players have represented Maccabi in the various European competitions.

Dor Peretz is Maccabi’s all-time European appearance leader with 87 matches. Peretz is followed by Sheran Yeini (84) and Eitan Tibi (73).

In the all-time rankings among Israeli players, Eitan Tibi leads with 94 European appearances, meaning Dor is just seven matches away from the top spot.

91 Different players scored for Maccabi in European competition.

Eran Zahavi scored 30 European goals for Maccabi – a club record.

Overall, Zahavi has 35 goals in UEFA competitions, including five for Hapoel Tel Aviv, making him the all-time leading scorer among Israeli clubs in European competition.

Maccabi has successfully progressed beyond its opening European qualifying round on 19 occasions. Only seven times has the club been eliminated at the first hurdle.

Maccabi’s record in opening matches of European campaigns: 14 victories, 6 draws, 6 defeats.

31 Different players scored in Maccabi’s opening European fixtures.

Baruch Dego and Nosa Igiebor top the list with three goals each. Dego also remains the only Maccabi player to score a hat-trick in the opening match of a European season.

The earliest goal Maccabi has ever scored in a European season opener came in the 3rd minute, when Andrejs Prohorenkovs scored in a 2-0 victory over Levadia Tallinn in the 2002/03 campaign.

Sheriff Tiraspol will become the 99th different opponent Maccabi has faced in European competition.

To date, the club has played against 98 different opponents from 40 countries.

Maccabi previously faced a Moldovan club only once before – against Petrocub in the 2023/24 Conference League qualifiers.

Maccabi won 3-0 at Bloomfield Stadium and 2-0 in Chișinău.

Sheriff Tiraspol has faced Israeli clubs only twice before:

• Hapoel Be’ersheva in 2016/17
• Maccabi Haifa in 2023/24

On both occasions, Sheriff were eliminated from the competition.

Amit Karadi joins Bnei Sakhnin after an agreement was reached between the two clubs for a season-long loan deal of the 20-year-old left back.

Karadi made 35 appearances in all competitions during a loan spell with second-division side Hapoel Kfar Shalem last season.

He represented the Israel young national teams and U17 and U16 levels and has a total of 13 international appearances.

Karadi will now continue his development with Bnei Sakhnin as he embarks on another season of senior football.

Good luck Amit.

Maccabi Tel Aviv begin their 2026/27 European campaign on Thursday as Kenny Miller’s side face Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova for the 1^st leg of the Europa League 2^nd qualifying round.

The return leg which Maccabi will host in Batumi Georgia the following Thursday (July 30^th), will determine whether they advance to the Europa League 3^rd qualifying round or continue in the Conference League.

The Europa League draw which took place at UEFA’s Headquarters in Nyon Switzerland, teamed the winner of Maccabi’s tie with Sheriff against the winner of FK Qarabağ of Azerbaijan or Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia.

The Conference league 3^rd qualifying draw which took place shortly after, teamed the loser of Maccabi’s tie with Sheriff against the loser between Swiss side St Gallen and Portuguese giants Benfica Lisbon.

The 3^rd qualifying round matches of both the Europa and Conference League will be played on August 6^th with the return leg the following week on August 13^th.

Kick-off times will be confirmed by UEFA by 24 July 2026.

 

State Cup holders Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at Turner stadium for the Super Cup match against reigning champions Hapoel Be’ersheva which will raise the curtain on the 2026/27 campaign. Eight weeks after beating Be’ersheva 2-1 in the State Cup Final at Teddy stadium, Maccabi return to the stadium they conceded the league title only a few days earlier after suffering a 4-2 defeat. The incidents at the end of the Cup Final led to the suspensions of several Be’ersheva players but more importantly Tyrese Asante, Elad Madmon, Kristijan Belic, Kervin Andrade and Team Manager Yoav Ziv.

Without those players, Maccabi Head Coach Kenny Miller, who was also missing Cape Verde international Helio Varela who was given extra time off due to his country’s World Cup campaign – had a depleted squad to pick from.

Ofek Melika started the season in goal with Itay Ben Hemo, Ali Camara and Raz Shlomo lining-up as the three central defenders in front of him. Sagiv Jehezkel and Roy Revivo were assigned to the right and left wing-back roles supplying the width on both sides. Issouf Sissokho, Itamar Noy, Ido Shahar and Dor Peretz were in Maccabi’s midfield engine room. While Saied Abu Farchi led the line aiming to solidify his position as Maccabi’s leading striker.

On the bench, Dan Glazer made his first appearance in the squad for an official match since returning to the club. Alongside Glazer, Miller named goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, Noam Ben Harush, Ori Azo, Noam Schwartz, Shahar Rosen, Lotem Asres, Ilay Ben Simon and Osher Davida.

First Half

Around 6000 travelling fans all draped in yellow and blue arrived at Turner and filled the north and west ends of the pitch. Eight minutes from the start Saied Abu Farchi almost exploited a mistake in Be’ersheva’s defense as he picked the ball deep inside the area but instead of turning and pulling the trigger he opted to tee up Dor Peretz before the danger was cleared. Two minutes later Maccabi took the lead as Itamar Noy slipped a clever pass to Sagiv Jehezkel before his square ball was swept home by Saied Abu Farchi. The referee assistant raised his flag for offside but VAR intervened reversed the decision and confirmed Maccabi’s lead. Be’ersheva were back on level terms within five minutes as an Eliel Peretz cross eluded Ofek Melika and struck the post before falling to Ofir Davidzada whose shot was flicked by Kings Kangwa into the net.

Maccabi continued to dominate and almost regained their lead two minutes later as Peretz set up Abu Farchi but the 20-year-old striker forced a spectacular save by Ofir Marciano. The resulting corner saw Maccabi find the back of the net with a well drilled set piece that was headed in by Peretz. But the celebrations were shortlived as VAR intervened once again and ruled the Maccabi captain’s goal offside. Abu Farchi had another glorious chance to score as he was at the end of a pinpoint Ido Shahar cross only to guide his header over the crossbar. Seven minutes after the half hour mark tempers flared as Peretz and Lucas Ventura collided leading to a tussle with Jehezkel who was booked together with the Be’ersheva midfielder. Amir Ganah managed to beat Melika with a long range curling shot from the edge of the area but the ball rattled the crossbar.

On the stroke of halftime Kangwa almost scored an audacious goal from teh halfway line as he shrugged Issouf Sissokho off the ball before spotting Melika off his line. But Maccabi’s custodian tracked back and managed to save thus denying the Zambian midfielder his second on the night and avoiding the embarrassment of being caught out.

Second Half

 Maccabi began the second half just like they did the first with pressure on the hosts right from the off. A pefect Sissokho diagonal pass released Jehezkel down the right before his fierce drive was parried by Marciano for a corner. Peretz headed over the crossbar on 49 as Maccabi continued to look dangerous going forward. In the 57th minute nothing could deny Peretz his goal which came at the end of a spectacular team effort. Roy Revivo began the move inside Maccabi’s half with a pass to Shahar who jumped over the ball and allowed it run to Abu Farchi. With ine delicate touch the young striker released Jehezkel whose accurate square ball was drilled into the bottom corner by Peretz to make it 2-1.

Six minutes after the hour mark Maccabi were reduced to 10 men in controversial circumstances as the referee ignored an initial push in Revivo’s back before the left back was shown a second yellow card for a tackle on Amit Ohana. Miller introduced Shahar Rosen for Itamar Noy in the 70th minute as Maccabi were forced to battle on for the remaining 20 minutes. Two minutes later and despite the numerical disadvantage Maccabi increased their lead to 3-1 as Jehezkel drove a counter attack down the right and delivered his third assist of the game to Abu Farchi who buried his second and Maccabi’s third.

In the 83rd minute a bizarre incident occurred as Maccabi made a double substitution. Dan Glazer came on to make his renewed debut replacing Abu Farchi who limped off and while Jehezkel was also making his way out referee Aviv Klein showed him a second yellow card. VAR called Klein to screen and he changed the initial decision and allowed Noam Ben Harush to replace him. Inside injury time Rosen blasted in keft screamer which would have been his debut Maccabi goal but the referee assistant raised his flag for offside. Lotem Astes came on for Shahar for the final few minutes as the full time whistle confirmed Maccabi’s 3-1 victory, the first trophy of the season and a place in the Toto Cup final.

Two days before the 2026/27 campaign gets underway and the Super Cup becomes the first domestic trophy on offer, Maccabi’s captain Dor Peretz faced the media. The 31-year-old midfielder who signed a new contract and will lead his teammates against Hapoel Be’ersheva at Turner. Peretz, who still has a vivid memory from the last time both teams met in the State Cup final at Teddy seven weeks ago, spoke of the process which led to him signing the new contract, his connection with Head Coach Kenny Miller and his expectations ahead of the seasons.

On his decision to continue at Maccabi and reject offers from abroad, Peretz said: “The main point is that I am here, and I am very happy to be here.” Peretz admitted that he went through a certain decision-making process together with the club: “I am very happy that the club saw the right things in me. We weighed everything up and understood what Maccabi Tel Aviv means to us. For me, this place is the highest level.”

Peretz admitted that his decision was influenced by the appointment of Kenny Miller as Head Coach: “We have a very special relationship. He knows how to lead the team in the right direction and with strong values. Knowing that there is someone here to walk alongside this season definitely had an impact on me.”

With regards to Maccabi’s first return to Be’ersheva since the 4-2 defeat in May which crowned the hosts as Champions, Peretz and in view of a match which could win Maccabi a trophy but also secure a place in the Toto Cup semi final: “We treat it with respect and want to win every trophy we possibly can. I think we will be able to become more consistent, particularly in our collective defending. That will take us to a much higher level professionally.”

On the building of the squad which has so far seen Peretz reunited with Dan Glazer, he said: “We have a group of players here from last season who are at a very high level. Together, we managed to win the Cup and overcome challenges. We need reinforcements in order to push forward this season and move towards the targets we have set ourselves.”

Finally, when asked what he still hopes to achieve at Maccabi, the captain replied emphatically: “To win another league title, another Cup and more trophies. Seeing more players blossom and excel at this club would make me very happy.”