Maccabi Tel Aviv will head to Teddi Stadium in Jerusalem on Wednesday (20:00) to play in the semi final of the State Cup. The team that would face Maccabi in Jerusalem would be Maccabi Akhi Nazareth.
On the route to the semi final Maccabi faced Hapoel Ashkelon from Liga Alef, Beitar Tel Aviv-Ramla from the National League and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona from the Premier League. On Wednesday, Maccabi will meet again an opponent from the National League in an encounter that would send the winner to the cup final in Teddi Stadium against either Hapoel Be’er Sheva, or Hapoel Afula.
Then who is Akhi Nazareth.
The club was founded in 1973 and currently plays its football in Ilut, in northern Israel. Maccabi Akhi Nazareth played only two seasons in the top division. In 2003/04 the club qualified to the first division for the first time in its history. Being led by coach Azmi Nassar. Akhi Nazareth met Maccabi three times, with Maccabi winning in two occasions and another meeting ended in a draw.
In 2009/10 Akhi Nazareth qualified to the premier league for the second time in its history. The club, managed by John Gregory faced Maccabi twice that season- the first round encounter ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw, while a single goal by Yaniv Luzon gave Akhi Nazareth its first victory over Maccabi in the second round.
Today, Maccabi Akhi Nazareth is based at the 7th place in the National League. The team led by coach Nissan Yehezkel, scored 46 goals in 33 games, the 5th best scoring record in the National League. On the defensive side things are a little more shaky for Yehezekl’s side, as they have conceded 54 goals, the second worse record in the league.
Akhi Nazareth’s squad contains a few notable players, with two former Maccabi players Gal Nir and Alan Masudi playing an important role in the team. The team also has several former Premier League players, such as Ali Khatib, Shai Maimon, Na’al Khotaba, David Gomes and Ido Exbard. Exbard is undoubtedly the one to watch in Nazareth. The forward from Be’er Sheva scored 18 league goals this season, while adding five more in the cup. Akhi Nazareth has another Maccabi connection, with forward Anas Dabbur, Munas’s brother who left for Swiss Grasshoppers last season.
Akhi Nazareh’s road to the semi final was long and included several difficult hurdles. The team started the campaign in December, having beat Hapoel Jerusalem 2-0 with Ido Exbard scoring a brace. Next team to be knocked out by Akhi Nazareth was Maccabi Netanya. The game was held in Ilut and the locals managed to pull a 3-1 victory, after trailing from a goal by Iyad Abud Abaid. Goals from Exbard, Masudi and Ali Khatib sent the Cinderella to the next round. Ahki’s next victim in Ilut was M.S. Ashdod. Goals by Exbard and Gomes gave the hosts a comfortable lead that was not disrupted from a late goal by Solari. A 2-1 win over Ashdod was enough to send the Akhi Nazareth to the quarter-final.
Up next was National League rivals Hapoel Kfar Saba. After beating two Premier League teams, Akhi Nazareth had to work harder in this double header. The first away leg ended in a draw and a single goal by Ido Exbard in Ilut was enough to make sure that Akhi Nazareth will travel to the capital for the semi-final.
Now, having won all its home games, Akhi Nazareth will face Maccabi Tel Aviv in neutral Teddi stadium, for the first time this season for both clubs.
