From Gorica to Split: Maccabi’s path to the Europa League Group Stages

8 matches, 6 wins, penalties and plenty of goals. Watch the hilights from the first round all the way to the playoffs of the Europa League qualifying tournament

Maccabi “Shachar” fall 1:0 to Tubruk

Maccabi's Under-19 team opened up their season on the wrong foot falling to Tubruk on a goal by Gal Hassan. The second half saw the Yellow & Blue's opponent play with 10-men. Van Leeuwen: "The team performance was good. There's a lot to improve." Watch

Pre-match:

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv opened up the 2016/17 Toto Youth League campaign at home against Beitar Tubruk. The Starting XI included: Omer Kats, Amit Rozenboim, Noam Cohen, Fadi Najar, Ron Gabay, Shay Golan, Tomer Altman (C) Netanel Peretz, Or Dasa, Almog Eylon, Mahmud Awisat.

First Half:

Five minutes into the contest, Almog Eylon hit Tubruk’s left post from 16 meters out after receiving the ball from Or Dasa and Altman also tried his luck from 20-meters as his effort hit the woodwork. However, it was Tubruk who scored first taking a 1:0 lead as Gal Hassan found the back of the goal from 6-meters taking a deep pass and converting it for the early advantage. Noam Cohen then broke up a Tubruk counter but he picked up the first yellow card of the season.

Maccabi “Shachar” continued to press and in the 21st minute Netanel Peretz missed a wonderful opportunity following a terrific team effort by the young Yellow & Blue as his 10-meter chance just went over the bar. Altman again took the opportunity from long range but his shot flew over the goal. Dasa hit the post five minutes before the half as the sides went into the break with Maccabi down by a goal.

Second Half:

The second half began with no substitutions and the Yellow & Blue continued to put pressure on Tubruk for an equalizer. In the 58th minute Guy Shetach was introduced for Dasa and almost scored after being on the pitch for just two minutes as his free kick was parried away by the Tubruk keeper.

In the 62nd minute Amit Shapira came in for Netanel Peretz and just three minutes later Tubruk was down to 10-men as Eyal Melul was sent off for a hard foul on Amit Rosenboim.

Shetach had an 81st minute opportunity from 15-meters but the Tubruk keeper again made the save while in the 87th minute Awisat came off in favor of Tomas Prince whose 16-meter scorcher just sailed by the post as Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fell 1:0 on Matchday One of the Toto Youth League.

Pre-match:

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv opened up the 2016/17 Toto Youth League campaign ...

Golazo for Medunjanin, Eliel Peretz scores for Israel U21

The Israel Under-21 National Team defeated Liechtenstein 4:0 and solidified their second place group position for the Euro 2017 qualifying tournament. The Bosnian scored the 3rd goal in a 5:0 win over Estonia. Check it out

The last National Team games for this round of matches came to an end this evening for both the senior sides and Under-21 teams. Following Israel’s 1:3 loss to Italy on Monday night, the Under-21 team also closed out their round of matches as well with a 4:0 victory over Liechtenstein and now have a firm grip on second place in their group.

Maccabi was represented by Dor Peretz and Eliel Peretz as the latter scored a 37th minute goal from a shot just outside of the box as the ball caromed off one of the Liechtenstein defenders and made its way behind the keeper.

Dor Peretz said following the match: “It’s a great feeling to solidly be in second place. I’m really happy for Eliel because he scored. He’s been working very hard, deserved it and I hope he can continue. We have to give it our all in the last couple of matches in order to punch our ticket to the next round.”

Another Maccabi representative, Haris Medunjanin who’s plying his trade for the Bosnian National Team blasted home a right footed volley to help his team win 5:0 over Estonia. Medunajnin scored the match’s 3rd goal in the 71st minute for one of the nicest strikes of the evening.

Another Yellow & Blue National Team representative, Serbian Predrag Rajikovic helped his shoe earn a point in a 2:2 draw with Ireland.

The last National Team games for this round of matches came to ...

Raz Itzhak signs Four Year Deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv

The young striker will return to wear the Yellow & Blue after a year at Hapoel Tel Aviv and will be loaned out to Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle

The young striker, Raz Itzhak signed a four year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Itzhak will return to the Yellow & Blue after having played one season with Hapoel Tel Aviv. The 18-year old, who scored 9 goals in the Youth League last year and who played with Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv two campaigns ago winning the league title will be loaned immediately to Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle.

The young striker, Raz Itzhak signed a four year contract with Maccabi ...

Maccabi wins 2-1 away at Ashdod

Maccabi Tel Aviv kicked off against SC Ashdod at the Yud Alef Stadium on Matchday Two of the Ligat Ha'Al after coming back to Israel on Friday from Split

The Yellow & Blue earned three points on Matchday Two on two first half goals by Oscar Scarione and winger Tal Ben Chaim via penalty as Gadi Kinda was only able to cut the lead in the 40th minute. The players will now be on the international break as Matchday Three will take place in two weeks when Maccabi hosts Beitar Jerusalem at the Netanya Stadium.

Head Coach Shota Arveladze had Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic in goal with Avi Rikan, Eitan Tibi, Egor Filipenka and Eli Dasa in front of him. Captain Gal Alberman was back in the Starting XI while Haris Medunjanin and Oscar Scarione played beside number 6. Providing the attack was a trio of Dor Micha, Tal Ben Chaim and Barak Itzhaki.

On the bench was Haviv Ohayon, Eyal Golasa, Tal Ben Haim, Nosa Igiebor, Dor Peretz, Eliel Peretz and Yossi Benayoun.

First Half

Even before everyone settled into their seats at the Yud Alef Stadium, Maccabi sporting their new blue away kit was on the board. Scarione took a tremendous long pass from Itzhaki to come in from the left side and slot the ball behind the Ashdod keeper for the 1:0 lead in the first minute.

In the 7th minute Itzhaki himself had a terrific chance but skied his ball over the bar while a minute later Scarione almost picked up a brace but keeper Yoav Gerafi was in the right place to make the stop. As the match hit the 19th minute Ben Chaim swung a cross in from the left side to the middle of the box where Itzhaki’s header went wide right of the goal as Maccabi continued to look for their second goal on the evening.

However, it wouldn’t take them too much longer to find it as Ben Chaim was tripped up in the box after receiving a terrific pass by Scarione God for a penalty that number 11 easily slotted home to the bottom left of Gerafi’s goal for a 2:0 Yellow & Blue advantage. Alberman’s long range scorcher was collected by Gerafi in the 34th minute but out of nowheres Gadi Kinda capitalized on a Maccabi defensive error and out the ball behind Rajikovic to cut the lead to 2:1 in the 40th minute.

Ben Chaim almost put home his second of the match but his sharp angled shot went off the post and out as the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the first half.

Second Half

With Ashdod looking for an equalizer they began attacking Maccabi and almost converted a pair of early second half chances but Rajikovic made sure to keep the score as is with two nice saves. Head Coach Arveladze made his first substitution of the evening introducing Tal Ben Haim in favor of Barak Itzhaki and moved to three central defenders in the back.

With the new formation in place winger Ben Chaim had a marvelous chance to increase the lead in the 56th minute but his effort went off of an Ashdod defender and out for a corner. In the 60th minute Nivaldo headed a ball back to the keeper that almost went into the goal, however Gerafi made it back in time to make the stop on the line.

Drazen Bagaric had two chances to draw Ashdod even in the 63rd and 65th minutes but Rajikovic made the save on the former while the latter was just wide right of the goal. Following a yellow card issued to Alberman, Arveladze made his second substitute of the match bringing in Nosa Igiebor for Dor Micha while Eyal Golasa was introduced for Haris Medunjanin in the 71st minute.

Bagaric again had an opportunity to tie up the match but his shot from the top of the box went over the bar and out in the 78th minute and Dasa was issued a yellow card in the 86th minute as play went back an forth with each side looking for a goal late in the match. However, neither club would find one as the Yellow & Blue remain perfect early on in the season winning 2:1.

Maccabi’s next match will be in two weeks due to the international break when they face Beitar Jerusalem at home.

The Yellow & Blue earned three points on Matchday Two on two ...

Maccabi wins 3:1 to open the season

Maccabi Tel Aviv opened their Ligat Ha’Al campaign against Hapoel Kfar Saba on Matchday One at Teddy Stadium due to a radius penalty and received a brace by acting Captain Ben Chaim

The Yellow & Blue have now won their sixth consecutive season opener defeating Hapoel Kfar Saba 3:1 at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem on a header goal by Eden Ben Basat and a pair of goals by winger Tal Ben Chaim while Mavis Tchibota answered for the visitors.

Head Coach Shota Arveladze’s first ever Ligat Ha’Al Starting XI consisted of Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic in goal with a defensive quartet of Eli Dasa, Tal Ben Haim, Eitan Tibi and Omri Ben Harush in front of him. Haris Medunjanin, Nosa Igiebor and Oscar Scarione featured in the middle while Yossi Benayoun, Eden Ben Basat and acting Captain Tal Ben Chaim provided the attack.

First Half:

The Yellow & Blue went on the offense right from the opening whistle but Mendunjanin’s 4th minute long range shot was collected by the Kfar Saba keeper Ran Kadosh and Ben Basat’s bicycle kick four minutes later from 11 meters out went over the goal by inches as the scored remained 0:0 early on.

In the 20th minute Medunjanin’s low effort just went wide right, while Kfar Saba’s Ran Itzhak had a chance in the 28th minute for the visitors. A burst of speed by Ben Chaim caught up to Ben Harush’s magnificent pass on the left side but Kadosh made a miraculous save to keep the match goalless in the 32nd minute.

Just before the stroke of halftime Maccabi got on the board through Ben Basat as number 9 headed home a Scarione rebound to give the Yellow & Blue a 1:0 lead as the teams went into the break.

Second Half:

Ben Basat led the charge to begin the final 45 minutes as his 15 meter scorcher was pushed over the bar at the last second by Kadosh as Maccabi searched for an insurance marker. However, they didn’t have to search to long and hard as Dasa was fouled in the box good for a penalty kick that Ben Chaim coolly slotted home for the 2:0 lead in the 58th minute.

Coach Arveladze made his first substitution of the evening when he introduced Eyal Golasa for Nosa Igiebor in the 65th minute and five minutes later his side added a third goal as Ben Chaim completed a brace. Oscar Scarione led the winger with a brilliant ball on the left side as number 11 placed a fantastic ball by Kadosh, off of the right post and into the goal for a 3:0 advantage.

Following a pair of Maccabi substitutions with Barak Itzhaki and Egor Filipenka replacing Scarione and Tibi, Kfar Saba’s Mavis Tchibota cut the Yellow & Blue lead to 3:1 on an easy shot from 5 meters out in the 78th minute. Ten minutes later Itzhaki attempted to get the goal back but he missed his tremendous opportunity while Benayoun’s screamer was stopped by Kadosh to keep the score as is to lead Maccabi to another season opening win.

The team will now prepare to fly to Croatia for the second leg of the Europa League Playoff Round against Hajduk Split as Maccabi hold a 2:1 advantage.

The Yellow & Blue have now won their sixth consecutive season opener ...

WATCH: Maccabi “Shachar” draws with Alkmaar 1-1

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Club played their Dutch counterparts in Holland to a 1:1 draw as Or Dasa scored for the Yellow & Blue

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv continued their preparations for the upcoming season which will open next month, as they are in the middle of their training camp in Holland.

Last evening, Wednesday, the young Yellow & Blue played against Alkmaar who finished last season in second place in their domestic league. Ori Uzan’s squad went down by a goal due to a defensive error but just prior to the final whistle Or Dasa’s terrific play led to a goal by the winger that drew Maccabi even as the match ended 1:1.

The Yellow & Blue will play their last preseason match at training camp against Utrecht and then will return back to Israel.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv continued their preparations for the upcoming season which ...

Maccabi’s path to the Europa League Playoff Round

Benayoun & Scarione's first goals, Shota Arveladze's debut on the sidelines, Gorica, Kairat Almaty and Pandurii. Here's how the Yellow & Blue got to this decisive stage

Maccabi wins the first Derby of 2016/17 2:0

Maccabi Tel Aviv visited the Moshava Stadium for the first derby of the 2016/17 season in the Toto Cup competition and came away with a 2:0 victory thanks to goals by Ben Basat and Benayoun

Two quick goals by Eden Ben Basat and Yossi Benayoun sealed the Derby early on as Maccabi defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 2:0 as they now turn their sights on the Europa League playoff round first leg on Thursday night against Hajduk Split.

Head Coach Shota Arveladze mixed up his Toto Cup Starting XI against the Reds as Rajikovic started in goal while Avi Rikan, Yuval Shpungin, Tal Ben Haim and Egor Filipenko played in front of the Serbian shot stopper. Eyal Golasa, Eliel Peretz and Yossi Benayoun were in the midfield with a strikeforce of acting captain Barak Itzhaki, Eden Ben Basat and Orlando Sa played up front.

First Half

The Yellow & Blue opened up the match strong as they scored two goals by the 11th minute. With nine minutes gone, Rikan sent Ben Basat a beauty of a free kick from the right side of the box that number 9 headed behind Harush while two minutes later Itzhaki passed Benayoun a perfect ball in the area that the veteran stopped with his chest and then pounded into the goal for a quick two goal advantage.

Maccabi tried to add another goal before the halftime whistle but the give and go between Itzhaki and Golasa resulted in the latter’s effort from 16 meters going over the goal as the sides headed for the break with the Yellow & Blue up 2:0.

Second Half

Coach Arveladze made one substitution to open the half as Eitan Tibi was introduced in favor of Filipenko. In the 50th minute Hapoel had the first chance of half number two as Demir Subsic came in off of the left wing passed the ball to Shmuel Shaiman who gave Omri Altman a magnificent pass in the box but Rajikovic was able to get a hand on the ball before it crossed the line.

Ten minutes later Rajikovic made a brilliant one-one-one save against Sagiv Yehezkel to keep his clean sheet intact. A minute later Maccabi made a pair of changes bringing in Dor Peretz who took the captain’s armband and Oscar Scarione for Itzhaki and Shpungin.

In the 68th minute Rikan swung a ball into the box from the left side but Sa’s wild header went over the goal while one minute later Tal Ben Chaim came into the contest in favor of Benayoun. Gal Alberman joined the fray in the 77th minute as the defensive midfielder replaced Ben Basat.

Dor Peretz attempted a long shot from the right side but the ball just went wide of the left post and out in the 84th minute as Maccabi took the first Derby of the 2016/17 season 2:0.

Two quick goals by Eden Ben Basat and Yossi Benayoun sealed the ...

Maccabi falls to Bnei Yehuda in Toto Cup Action

Maccabi Tel Aviv looked to follow up on their Matchday One Toto Cup victory over Maccabi Petach Tikva against Bnei Yehuda but their city rivals were able to pull out a 2:1 win at the Moshava Stadium

A late Orlando Sa goal wasn’t enough to salvage a point against Bnei Yehuda as the hosts defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv by a 2:1 scoreline on Matchday Three of the Toto Cup.

Head Coach Shota Arveladze made a number of changes to his regular Starting XI for Toto Cup play as Haviv Ohayon started in goal with a defense of Eli Dasa, Omri Ben Harush, Tal Ben Haim and Dor Peretz in front of him. Shlomi Azulay making his season debut was in the midfield while Eyal Golasa, Eliel Peretz and Oscar Scarione who was making his first start manned the center of the pitch. Eden Ben Basat and winger Tal Ben Chaim who was wearing the captain’s armband provided the attack.

First Half

After a tentative start by both teams, Bnei Yehuda made good on the real first chance of the evening as Antonio Mersic put the home side on the board in the 14th minute with a blistering shot from the left side cleanly beating Ohayon for a 1:0 lead. Mersic then tried to turn the same trick again two minutes later but his chance when over the bar and out.

In the 22nd minute, an Azulay corner kick found Ben Haim’s head in the box but his effort went over the goal as Maccabi looked for the equalizer. Following a 26th minute water break, Azulay attempted a low 18 meter shot that missed the target and Ben Harush rifled a ball right over the goal in the 34th minute.

Bnei Yehuda almost doubled their lead in the 37th minute as Daniel Avital beat his defender on the left side and went in on Ohayon but the young keeper made a kick save to keep the deficit as is. In the 41st minute Ben Basat picked up a yellow card with the intensity of the match picking up as the sides went into the break with a 1:0 Bnei Yehuda advantage.

Second Half

Coach Arveladze made a pair of substitutions to open the second half as Yuval Shpungin, making his season debut and Barak Itzahki who was now wearing the captain’s armband were introduced for Scarione and Dasa. In the 51st minute Ben Basat has a long range effort that just scooted by the left post and out while two minutes later Azulay, Ben Basat, Golasa and Ben Chaim combined on a pretty passing play that resulted in the latter’s shot being collected by Bnei Yehuda’s second half substitute keeper Nikita Haikin.

Itzahki tried his luck in the 55th minute as his chance also didn’t find the target as Maccabi continued to search for the tying goal. However, Bnei Yehuda doubled their output as Almog Bozaglo cleaned up a rebound in front of the Maccabi goal to take a 2:0 lead in the 62nd minute while Gal Alberman who took the captain’s armband from Itzhaki and Matan Hozez were inserted into the match for Azulay and Ben Chaim.

Looking for a bit more offense, coach Arveladze made his 5th and final substitute in the 66th minute as Orlando Sa came on for Eliel Peretz. And that’s exactly what the boss got. Sa put in Ben Basat’s rebound to draw the Yellow & Blue to within one goal in the 74th minute.

Shpungin took a screamer of a shot a minute later but his attempt went just wide left as Maccabi continued to threaten the Bnei Yehuda goal. Hozez lifted a gorgeous corner to Ben Basat who headed it nicely but Ben Tzeiri just cleared it off of the line in the 82nd minute.

As Maccabi continued to dig hard for an equalizer it wasn’t meant to be as the Yellow & Blue dropped their first match of the campaign. They’ll now get ready for Hapoel Raanana in Toto Cup play at home on Wednesday evening at the Netanya Stadium.

A late Orlando Sa goal wasn’t enough to salvage a point against ...