The run-in to Maccabi's 2014/15 Israeli Premier League season got off to a sizzling start, and by the looks of it the temperature is only set to rise. Here's what's in store
Maccabi Tel Aviv's play-off campaign got off to a good start with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Maccabi Haifa, but in April the team will be playing four more highly contested play-off matches, not to speak of a State Cup semi -final.
Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Beer Sheva
Monday April 6th at 8.55pm. Live broadcast on Israeli channel 11
What could be a more fitting opening to a fateful month than this crucial encounter? Top of table versus number two, the game everyone loves to call "the match of the season". With just five points separating the two teams, the stakes for the title race couldn't be higher and the excitement is already in the air.
Ironi Kiryat Shmona – Maccabi Tel Aviv
Monday April 13th at 8.55pm. Live broadcast on Israeli channel 11
Once Maccabi's closest rival at the top of the table, Kiryat Shmona are experiencing their roughest patch since the start of the season. They haven't won in their last six outings and now head coach Barak Bachar's team have dropped from second to third, a full ten points behind Maccabi. That being said, they've also been one of Maccabi's toughest opponents this year, one Maccabi have failed to beat in either of their two league encounters so far. But Maccabi's recent 3-0 triumph in the return leg of the State Cup quarter final is reason for optimism that a repeat of that kind of performance will bring the team ever closer to the promised land.
Maccabi Tel Aviv – Beitar Jerusalem
Monday April 20th at 8.55pm. Live broadcast on Israeli channel 11
This is also a match Maccabi would dearly like to win, after having failed to beat Beitar in two earlier league encounters. The mission will be made even harder in light of the run of improving form Beitar have brought to the play-off campaign, having won their last four outings in the run-up to April. Looks hopeless? Far from it. This is Maccabi we're talking about, and Bloomfield Stadium to boot, and a home side that has performed so well in the crunch the last two seasons. So smile and be happy!
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Maccabi Petach Tikva – Maccabi Tel Aviv
Weekend of April 25th – exact day and time t.b.a.
This will be the first time Maccabi Tel Aviv, or for that matter any Israeli Premier League side, will be facing Maccabi Petach Tikva in the top-six playoffs. The last time Maccabi Tel Aviv lost to their namesakes from one of modern Israel's oldest cities, it was none other than current Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Tal Ben Chaim who did the damage, scoring the winner in his team's 2-1 victory in February 2012. This season Ben Chaim returned the favour in spades, netting a brace in Maccabi Tel Aviv's 3-0 triumph at the municipal stadium in Netanya.
Maccabi Tel Aviv – Maccabi Ahi Nazareth
Wednesday April 29th at 8.30pm. Live broadcast on Israeli sports channel 55
How long has it been? Ten years have passed since Maccabi Tel Aviv have reached the semi-finals of the coveted State Cup competition. And now, one night, one stadium, two matches, four teams, all vying for a place in the finals and a chance to receive the Cup from the nation's president. Facing Maccabi Tel Aviv will be Maccabi Ahi Nazareth, one of two minnows from the second division who have defied the odds to reach this stage of the competition. So nothing will be taken for granted, but the right result will take Maccabi Tel Aviv to the finals for the first time in a decade.
Some more April occasions:
April 3rd – birthdays for defender Yuval Shpungin and striker Gael Margulies
April 17th – a birthday for midfielder Gal Alberman
