Yaron Oz, Maccabi Tel Aviv's energetic midfielder of the 1970's, had the reputation as the leader of central midfield who exerted his influence upon the ability of the team at both ends of the pitch. He made his maiden appearance for the senior squad aged 18 as a substitute in the 2-1 State Cup victory over Hapoel Lod in September 1970, and shared in Maccabi's triumph in the 1969/70 State Cup, whose final stages had been delayed till the beginning of the 1970/71 season. Later that season the young Oz was also part of the Maccabi squad that played in the Asian Club Championship Cup, and came on as a substitute in the match against the Indian side FC Punjab Police in the group stage of the competition that Maccabi Tel Aviv would ultimately go on to win for the first in their history.  

Oz played for ten seasons at Maccabi Tel Aviv and won during that time a total of six titles: Three league championships, two State Cups and one Asian Club Championship Cup. In addition to the abovementioned IFA and Asian Club Championship Cups of 1970 and 1971 respectively, Oz won another State Cup in 1976/77 and championship titles in the '71/'72, '76/'77 and '78/'79 seasons. Oz scored a goal in a 1-1 draw in a Tel Aviv Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv in October 1972, his first in a total of eleven that he would score for the club throughout his career.

Goal scoring may not have been Oz's trump card, but his exceptional ability to direct play from the centre of midfield did not escape the attention of the then head coach of the Israel national team, Edmond Schmilovich. He gave Oz a call-up in February 1973 for his maiden appearance in a 1-1 draw against Argentina. In all Yaron Oz made 26 appearances for the national side, scored two goals and qualified with them for the 1976 Olympic Games, where he scored one of those goals against Mexico. At the end of the 1978/79 season Oz moved on for a successful stint playing for Maccabi Jaffa.

 

pictures courtesy of the Israel Football Association archives