Maccabi Tel Aviv drew 1:1 with Slovakian side AS Terecin in their first preseason friendly match with many players including some from the Under-19 team as well as players who returned from being on loan.

The Head Coach Jordi Cruyff commented on his debut match of the 2017/18 campaign:

“The most important thing was to test the players who have come back from loan. There was also a lot of young players and to see how they develop. In these kind of games we try split them up into two times 45 minutes and the most important thing is that the players show themselves and that they understand the basic concepts that we look for and to get 45 minutes on their legs. We only have trained for four or five days, so it’s very early to demand things. For me the most important thing is that they play free, not afraid and that they try to prove themselves.”

Shlomi Azulay who just returned from being on loan at Kiryat Shemona scored the lone Maccabi marker said:

“I feel really good after coming back from a season on loan. I’m happy to return to Maccabi and it was a decent match, but of course we need to improve. We’re looking ahead to next week’s game against Tirana.”

Working hard:

“I knew most of the squad from last season and they are a bunch of good guys. The most important thing for us to do is to work hard, improve and make sure we do well in next week’s match.”