Road to the Cup- Itzhaki sends Maccabi to the quarterfinals

The defending State Cup champions will face Hapoel Rishon Le'Zion this evening at 21:00 for a ticket to the quarterfinals. Let's look back at how the Yellow-and-Blue advanced last year

Road to the Cup- Itzhaki sends Maccabi to the quarterfinals

The defending State Cup champions will face Hapoel Rishon Le'Zion this evening at 21:00 for a ticket to the quarterfinals. Let's look back at how the Yellow-and-Blue advanced last year

Holocaust Survivor Zvi Mel speaks to Youth Department

As part of the Youth Department's educational programs, a Holocaust survivor spoke to the players about the horrors of the past, his personal victory and his connection with Maccabi

Today, Wednesday, marks the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, when the world looks back at the terrible tragedy that befell all of mankind and especially the Jewish People. The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department took the opportunity to educate the players about the horrors that occurred during this very dark time in history. The Under-15 side of Ran Elias were honored to hear from Zvi Mel, a Holocaust survivor and longtime Maccabi Tel Aviv fan talk about his own experiences.

Mel discussed his difficult upbringing as a child when his German friends became his enemies, his family’s travels, losing many friends and acquaintances along the way and the incredible survival of a little boy who lost his whole world.

The young players were fascinated by his personal journey and at the end of the presentation asked what helped him survive the Holocaust and how he felt making it through the inferno to begin a family in Israel. Following the program, the players presented Mel a gift who emotionally thanked the children. Zvi Mel’s life story can be found in his autobiography.

Today, Wednesday, marks the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, when ...

“It’s a privilege to contribute to the community”

The Youth Department and “Educating for Excellence continue to participate in joint programming and this week coaches Kfir Elfonte and Eliran Mizrachi spoke about their experiences with the organization

As part of the ongoing activities of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department, the players from various age groups participate in bi-weekly events with the “Educating for Excellence” organization.

The non-profit organization helps reduce the social gaps and creates equal opportunities for children with potential for excellence who reside within Israel’s social and geographic periphery. Together with the Maccabi Youth Department, children from all age groups participate in joint programming led by coaches from the various teams.

Kfir Alfonte and Eliran Mizrachi who coach the Under-12 and Under-11 clubs spoke about the activities that they do with the organization’s children and what the Maccabi youth gain from the experience: “It’s a program where 10 children of different ages come to the Youth Department, “ Elfonte explained. “We bring our Under-12 and Under-11 sides and we have a tournament that features both the organization’s children and those from our youth department. We all enjoy it very much, and our kids also understand the importance of these programs.”

The coach also discussed what the “Educating for Excellence” children gain from the activities: “I believe that the children from ‘Educating for Excellence’ feel that they are doing something that at first they believed they couldn’t do and it gets them closer to their dreams. These children are very special and there are even two kids that perhaps could join Maccabi in the future.”

Eliran Mizrachi who also leads the joint programs, commented about the activities from his point of view: “We began these activities 2-3 years ago with the youngest age groups in the department. This year we’ve done a number of groups with them and it’s been a lot of fun. We are teaching them what Maccabi Tel Aviv is and we are giving them the opportunity to play with children who are terrific players at their same age.”

Mizrachi continued talking about what the Maccabi children gain from the experience as well: “This imbues patience in their understanding of other children, the fact that there are others who aren’t as fortunate as them and don’t have the opportunities to obtain the tools succeed. Working together with them on the pitch, with players of different levels gives them the chance to enjoy the programming and this is the message that we also want to send to their schools. We want them to understand that they are role models even at this young age and to grasp what it means to be a player with Maccabi Tel Aviv and not take that fact for granted.”

In terms of the importance of these activities for the coaches, Mizrachi said: “We as coaches know and understand that it’s not just about being a professional on the pitch but off of it as well. Respect and good values come before everything else. It’s a privilege to contribute to the community and we do so with pride and joy.”

As part of the ongoing activities of the Maccabi Tel ...

Zahavi brace leads Macacbi to 3-1 win

The Yellow-and-Blue kicked off against Maccabi Petach Tikva at Bloomfield Stadium on Matchday 20 of the WINNER League

Captain Eran Zahavi found his way back on the scoresheet after not finding the goal last match against Acre as the Maccabi superstar picked up a brace in the 3:1 win. Nosa Igiebor scored his second goal in as many games as the midfielders continued to play an important role in the club’s recent success.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach Peter Bosz looked to keep his perfect record alive as the Dutch boss started Serbian keeper Predrag Rajikovic right behind a defensive quartet of Eitan Tibi, Tal Ben Haim, Carlos Garcia and Omri Ben Harush. Wily veteran Gal Alberman was in his usual holding midfielder position along with Shlomi Azulay and Nigerian Nosa Igiebor by his side. Up front featured an attacking trio of Dor Micha, Tal Ben Chaim and Captain Eran Zahavi.

With former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Ran Ben Shimon manning the sidelines for Maccabi Petach Tikva the visitors took the game right to the Yellow-and-Blue from the outset battling for every ball possession tooth and nail. Gidi Kanuk had two brilliant chances but Rajikovic was there to make the stops and keep the match goalless until the 17th minute when the captain broke the deadlock.

Zahavi received a fabulous pass by Micha as number 7 went airborne to drill the ball behind Itamar Nitzan with a half scissors kick to give the hosts a 1:0 advantage. Just five minutes later, the Yellow-and-Blue doubled their lead as Nosa Igiebor scored a terrific curling Golazo from 17 meters out that sent the fans into pandemonium.

However, Petach Tikva may have been down but not out as they were rewarded for their efforts right before the half. In the 44th minute Dor Hugi jumped on a loose ball in the box, beating Rajkovic to cut the lead in half as the whistle sounded sending the clubs into the break.

No substitutions were made by either team as the half opened with both sides trading chances throughout the first 20 minutes. Igiebor found Micha as his 16 meter bullet was blocked by Nitzan for a corner in the 60th minute and Kanuk’s chance the other way was pawed to safety by Rajkovic to keep the lead intact.

With Petach Tikva testing Rajikovic looking for the equalizer, Ben Chaim led Zahavi with an unbelievable pass and the captain went in all alone slotting the ball through Nitzan’s legs for the 3:1 lead in the 66th minute.

Barak Itzhaki was introduced in the 75th minute for Dor Micha joining Eli Dasa who came on earlier in the half for Shlomi Azulay. Petach Tikva still looked to stay in the game as Muhamed Calibat led a couple of breaks for the visitors. But the first attempt was knocked away at the last second by central defender Ben Haim and the second was deflected by Rajikovic over the bar to maintain the advantage

Maccabi continued to look for a way to pad their lead with Dasa feeding Zahavi a wonderful pass but his effort went over the bar as the Yellow-and-Blue collected the victory and 3-points moving into first place. Next week, Maccabi will visit Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium on Monday February 1st on Matchday 21.

Captain Eran Zahavi found his way back on the ...

Youth Department Action, Saturday January 23, 2016

The Under-19 club begins its State Cup journey, the Under-17's are still on international break while the Under 16's & 15's continue league play

SC Julis – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 13:00, Julis (State Cup)

The  youth club’s State Cup participation begins this Saturday when they visit Julis for their first match in the Youth State Cup named after Avi Ran Z”l.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – International break

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Moshe Dayan” Petach Tikva, 09:00, Kiryat Shalom

This match will be the pregame game show for the club’s First Teams later in the day when the Under-16 Maccabi side hosts their counterparts from Petach Tikva. The team will look to continue its good form as the visitors find themselves in third place 10 points behind the young Yellow-and-Blue who sit atop the table.

SC Ashdod – Maccabi  “Eldad” Tel Aviv, 09:00, Ashdod College

Erez Belfer’s seemingly invincible side will kick off Matchday 12 by visiting Ashdod as they look to win and remain in first place

Bnei Sakhnin – Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv, 11:00, Sakhnin

Ran Elias’s charges will visit Sakhnin and face their counterparts on Matchday 12 of the Under-15 Sharon League.

SC Julis – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 13:00, Julis ...

Yellow-and-Blue Saturday – Match Results

The Under-19 side picked up a draw and all of the other scores from this past weekend's Youth Department are inside

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 0:0 Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion

 The Under-19 team have now gone two straight matches without a victory after drawing against their counterparts from Rishon Le’Zion. You can read the match summary by CLICKING HERE.

 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Off

Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 2:4 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv

Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gady Brumer’s team won yet another match this time coming back twice from a deficit to win at Superland. Saar Sa’adon scored a brace while Yam Ben Yehuda and Dani Amar also provided goals for the league leading side.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 5:2 Maccabi “Gould-Shenfeld” Haifa

Erez Belfer’s club won big in Under-15 action. The young Yellow-and-Blue hosted the northern city’s side and received scoring from Ido Shachar, Gil Ben Shalosh, Osher Davida (x2) and Omri Ram.

Beitar “Oren” Tubruk 0:1 Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv

Yet another win by Ran Elias over Tubruk helped his team to their third win in a row and maintained their place a top the league table with the help of a 70th minute goal by Amit Yakov.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 0:0 Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion

Maccabi wins in the wind

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Acre 3:0 in the northern coastal city on Matchday 19 of the WINNER League as Dutch coach Peter Bosz maintained his perfect record

The Yellow-and-Blue collected another three points to stay within one point of first place Hapoel Beer Sheva with the help of Tal Ben Chaim’s first half marker, Nosa Igiebor’s goal and Shlomi Azulay’s second of the season. Acre had a man sent off early on in the match as Hatem Obida was shown a red card in the 5th minute for kicking Eran Zahavi to the ground.

Head Coach Peter Bosz’s starting XI was similar to his first match with the club as the Dutchman started Predrag Rajikovic in goal with a back four of Eitan Tibi, Omri Ben Harush, Carlos Garcia and Tal Ben Haim. Gal Alberman took his usual position as the defensive midfielder along with Shlomi Azulay and Nosa Igiebor with a on attacking threesome of Tal Ben Chaim, Dor Micha and Captain Eran Zahavi.

It didn’t take long for the action to heat up while the wind and cold air swirled around the Acre Municipal Stadium. In the 5th minute, Acre’s Hatem Obida kicked Maccabi captain Zahavi who crumpled to the ground far away from the run of play. After consulting with the linesman, referee Sahar Arbeli handed the home side’s central defender a red card forcing Acre to play with only 10-men for the balance of the match.

Being a man to the good, the Yellow-and-Blue controlled the ball for large portions of the half. Zahavi would have a number of quality chances, first in the 11th minute as his free kick went wide of the goal. Number 7’s 23rd minute effort from a tough angle was picked off by Acre keeper Dani Amos and his 31st minute scissors kick opportunity was saved by the shot stopper as well.

In the 43rd minute, Maccabi finally broke through with the wind in their faces. Alberman cleanly stripped the ball from Adnan Zahirovic and smartly played it to Ben Chaim. The speedster raced into the box and launched a screamer past Amos to give his team a 1:0 lead as the match headed into the break.

To open the second half, Head Coach Peter Bosz made a tactical substitution taking off central defender Garcia for striker Barak Itzhaki to try and open up the Maccabi attack. However, aside from an Igiebor chance in the 60th minute few opportunities presented themselves to the Yellow-and-Blue. Bosz made an additional substitution in the 67th minute introducing striker Eden Ben Basat for Ben Chaim who had earlier picked up a yellow card.

Just two minutes later, Maccabi doubled their lead as Igiebor calmly slotted the ball by Amos to go up 2:0. Igiebor took an amazing pass in the box from Itzhaki and went in all alone on the Acre keeper to score his second league goal of the season. The visitors looked for another marker but Itzhaki’s scorcher clanged off of the bar,

Alberman’s long distance effort was collected by Amos and Ben Basat’s header went out. However, Azulay fixed the situation quickly thereafter with an intelligent low shot that beat Amos to give the Yellow-and-Blue a 3:0 lead in the 82nd minute and the valuable three points.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s next match will be on Saturday night, 20:00 at Bloomfield Stadium as they will welcome back their former striker Rada Prica and Maccabi Petach Tikva on Matchday 20 of the WINNER League.

The Yellow-and-Blue collected another three points to stay within ...

Kwem on trial with Maccabi Shachar

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv is giving the 18-year old Nigerian striker a trial over the next week and should he impress Kwem will sign a contract with the club

Looking to improve its attack, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv has brought Nigerian striker Augustine Chidi Kwem in on trial. The Nigerian youngster was born in 1997 and will look to impress the training staff under the direction of coach Ziv Arie with the goal to improve the team’s attack.

Every Under-19 club is permitted to have one foreign player on its squad and with Lazar Durovic recently leaving the club, the Yellow-and-Blue now have a place available on the team.

Looking to improve its attack, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv ...

TOP 5: MTA Vs. Hapoel Accre

Just prior to the match against Hapoel Akko (20:00), check out these five great goals from past encounters with the Northern club