Gabi Kanichowsy captained the side as Maccabi recorded a 2-0 victory away to Ashdod. “It is always fun to win, especially at a tough match against such a good side” Kanichowsky said after the match. “We played well after two matches of not showing the best of form as we played like we want to”.

It was a special occasion for Kanichowsky who captained the side, as he said: “I was surprised when handed the captain’s armband, but either way I have a lot of responsibility at Maccabi and I am delighted to be a key figure. My duty is to repay this club and the coach on the pitch. Regardless of the armband, I am not someone to force myself, but I try to help as much as I can. I just hope that I succeed in what I am doing, and that people accept my advice, yet it still surprises me everytime.”

On the push Maccabi received from the 3700 travelling fans at Ashdod, the midfielder added: “At the start of the season when you play in Europe and fans are not there to support us – it is tough. One gets excited every time there are fans that push you. It is very important for us and I am delighted we completed the job today.”

Ahead of Thursday’s EUROPA League match away to Sporting Braga, Kanichowsky said: “It is exciting. I think we have plenty to give and prove. We are not arriving there just to supply a backdrop and be part of the scenery. We will not just come there to be run over and say: ‘wow we qualified to Europe’. When we talk amongst ourselves, we are under the impression that we received draws at our levels. But once again, I have yet to compete in the Europa League and looking forward to an amazing experience”

      

Dor Turgeman who scored his second league goal this season sent a get well soon wish to fellow teammate Ido Shahar who suffered a knee injury: “First I would like to wish Ido Shahar a full and speedy recovery” before turning to sum up the match, “I am delighted I manage to help the team win at a tough fixture.”

The 20-year-old who scored his fifth goal in all competitions, spoke about his relationship with coach Zarko Lazetic as he added: “I have a good connection with the coach who trusts me and I just repay him on the pitch. We were well prepared as we spoke ahead of the game that it will be a tough match against a side that is known for playing hard. We took the three points today and kept a record of 4 wins from 4 matches which is very important”.

On the prospect of starting the EUROPA League phase against Sporting Braga on Thursday, Turgeman concluded: “Obviously every player dreams of playing at these levels. We are excited but on the pitch we will do our job, look everyone in the eye and try to do our best”.

Preview:

Maccabi arrived at the Yud Alef stadium for the MD4 WINNER League match against local side Ashdod SC aiming to maintain their 100% record. Maccabi’s Head Coach, Zarko Lazetic, made four changes from the side that beat Hapoel Jerusalem 2-1 at Bloomfield on Wednesday.

Nemanja Stojic made his first Maccabi start replacing Raz Shlomo at the heart of defense alongside Tyrese Asante. Roy Revivo who scored and added an assist against Jerusalem was named at left back with Idan Nachmias completing Maccabi’s defensive line in front of Roi Mishpati.

Issouf Sisskho in the anchorman role, sat behind Gabi Kanichwsky who led the team out with the captain’s armband and Ido Shahar who completed the midfield trio.

Osher Davida who scored the winner on Wednesday and Hisham Layous supplied the width on both wings to Maccabi’s formation with Dor Turgeman spearheading the attack.

On the bench Lazetic named goalkeeper Ofek Melika alongside Eran Zahavi, Joris van Overeem, Yoas Malede, Wesley Patati, Elad Madmon, Ofir Davidzada, Dor Peretz and Nor Bitton.

First Half

Maccabi were welcomed by a large number of travelling fans that dominated the stands producing an atmosphere that resembled a home match. It took Maccabi seven minutes to create the first chance on goal as Dor Turgeman flicked an Osher Davida free kick into the path of Nemanja Stojic’s whose close range header sailed over. Three minutes later Maccabi’s defense was almost caught by an Ashdod counter attack which resulted with Mohammed Kna’an drilling a shot wide. Gradually Maccabi began dominating as Turgeman was sent into the box but was blocked by a defender before he could pull the trigger. In the 23rd minute Roi Mishpati spread himself to block Roy Levy’s volley after the Ashdod winger managed to ghost into Maccabi’s area.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 27th minute as Maccabi’s pinged Ashdod inside their own area before Turgeman pounced on the loose ball before burying it in the bottom far corner. Three minutes later Ido Shahar came close to double the lead as he was sent clear through before Ariel Harush charged off his goalline to block. Shahar landed awkwardly on his knee in the process, limped off and was replaced by Dor Peretz. In the 36th minute Maccabi got their well deserved goal as Stojic met Davida’s cross to double the lead with a close range header.

Peretz could have made it three in the 40th minute as he was sent into the area but from a tight angle slid the ball to the wrong side of the post.

Second Half

Ashdod’s coach Eli Levy made a double substitution after the break as Shahar Hasson replaced Harush in goal while Ebenezer Mamatah came on for Stav Nachmani upfront. Four minutes after the restart a pyrotechnics from the visiting section caused a delay of a few minute until the smoke cleared the pitch and visibility restored.

In the 70th minute, Lazetic reacted with a double substitution of his own as Joris van Overeem and Wesley Patati replaced Gabi Kanichoesky and Davida. Five minutes later Turgemam slipped the ball to Hisham Layous who found himself with only Hason to beat but Ashdod’s keeper managed to block and deny Maccabi from scoring a third.

Lazetic made another double change as Elad Madmon and Eran Zahavi replaced Layous and Turgeman in the 80th minute adding two fresh forwards for the closing stages. Peretz snapped a shot which flashed across the face of goal after Patati managed to find an opening in Ashdod’s defence on 83.

In the 90th minute Patati tried catching Hason off guard with a free kick from a tight angle, but Ashdod’s keeper managed to punch the ball out. In the 90th minute Patati tried catching Hason off guard with a free kick from a tight angle, but Ashdod’s keeper managed to punch the ball out.

The full time whistle confirmed Maccabi’s 100% record remains in tact with attention now turned for the Europa League as the team will travel to Portugal ahead of Thursday’s match against Sporting Braga.

Roy Revivo celebrated his return to Maccabi’s starting line-up with a goal and an assist which earned him the BOSS man of the match award. Shortly after, The 21-year-old full-back spoke to the media at the end of the match and said: “I am young, hungry, working hard and will always aim to reach the highest levels. I missed scoring goals a lot as it hadn’t happened in a while now”.

Revivo, who made his first league appearance this season and completed the 90 minutes, spoke about the competition for places in the squad: “There are plenty of good players in the team and a lot of rotation as we have loads of matches this season. But I am working hard and we will see.”

On the prospect of featuring in the right back position as well, Revivo said: “I can at right back but at the end of the day these are decisions of the coach. I personally think that Idan Nachmias has been doing an exceptional job at right-back. I don’t mind playing left or right and I said it in the past – I like the challenge and like to be challenged”.

On the match which saw Hapoel Jerusalem manage to equalize despite their numerical disadvantage, Revivo said: “Because they were down to 10 men, and dropped back, we wanted to score. But on the other hand the tempo of the game also dropped and dragged us down as well. We enjoyed most of the possession during the game so I tried to do my work both in defense and attack.”

On Maccabi’s squad this season, Revivo summed up: “We have an excellent squad of players and there will be rotations as we are set to play so many matches and prepared for that. Facing teams like Ajax is extremely challenging and we thrive on that. We would like to win as many matches in Europe but at the same time domestically – win the league and as many titles as possible”