The Yellow-and-Blue continue on the “Road to the Cup” when they play at Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion from the Leumit league. Two weeks ago, Maccabi advanced to the Round of 16 when they defeated Ramat HaSharon 3:1. Peter Bosz will attempt to maintain his perfect record when his team visits Haberfeld Stadium in Rishon Le’Zion, looking to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.
The two sides last played during the 2011/12 season before the wine city’s team was relegated at the end of the campaign. Maccabi won both of their encounters that year winning at Bloomfield by the score of 3:1 and 2:0 at Haberfeld.
Head Coach: Ofir Haim
The former player began his professional career in Maccabi Tel Avi’s youth department
. After playing just one match he transferred to Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion’s First Team. Haim then moved around to various clubs including Turkish outfit Istanbulspor as well as returning to Maccabi on a couple of occasions. He played for over five years with the Yellow-and-Blue that included 124 appearances while scoring 23 goals. The striker retired in 2012 and became the coach of Marmorek.
Haim’s coaching career is just beginning but he’s already made a good impression at Marmorek, Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa as well as the Hapoel Tel Aviv youth side leading them to a State Cup title. Haim was named the head coach of Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion this season.
Recent form: D-W-D-L-L
Looking at the club’s results this season will show that they haven’t been able to win more than two matches in a row and are currently experiencing a dip in form as they haven’t found a victory over the past three Matchdays.
Rishon Le’Zion now find themselves in the Round of 16 after defeating two sides from Israel’s capital. In the Round of 64 the wine city’s club recorded a win over Hapoel Jerusalem 3:1 on goals by Eden Shrem, Shlomi Avisidris and Matan Lazmi. Two weeks ago they eliminated Hapoel Katamon winning 2:0 with goals by Shrem and Sean Malca. The team’s top goal scorer is Yakov Briun with nine goals this season.
Former Maccabi players:
Most of the Rishon players come from the Red side of Tel Aviv, however there are some
players with a Yellow-and-Blue background as well. The club’s captain Avi Strul is one of the most well know players that graced Bloomfield Stadium. Strul grew up in the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth department and played for the First Team on two occasions, winning two league championships and three State Cups. In addition, Rahamim Checkul was with Maccabi during the 2011/12 season.
Did you know?
Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion never won a league championship or a State Cup. They reached the State Cup final on two occasions losing to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
