FC Hapoel Tel Aviv 0 – FC Maccabi Tel Aviv 0

=======================================================
FC Maccabi Tel Aviv fullback OMER VERED, the former Israel U-21 international who spent all of last season out on loan to Ligat ha’Al club FC Hapoel Haifa, looks to settle the ball in front of the linesman and approaching FC Hapoel Tel Aviv midfielder ALROEY COHEN (11) during the Big Tel Aviv Derby match played behind closed doors at the virtually-empty Bloomfield Stadium.
=======================================================

In a intra-city clash which permitted no spectators as a result of the ruckus and tumult created in the previous meeting, a pair of in-form shot-stoppers put on a spectacular show to insure that no goals would be allowed, either, as traditional rivals FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV and FC MACCABI TEL AVIV battled to a 0-0 draw in the latest edition of the always-enthralling BIG TEL AVIV DERBY.

In a surprising move, FC Hapoel Tel Aviv trainer NITZAN SHIRAZI dropped first choice goalkeeper APOULA EDEL, the Cameroonian-born Armenia international of mysterious age. Edel, whom the Reds signed on a free transfer from French Ligue 1 side Paris St. Germain this summer to replace departed Nigeria World Cup goalkeeper VINCENT ENYEAMA, had started 29 of 30 matches for FC Hapoel Tel Aviv in Ligat ha’Al this term, including last weekend’s 2-2 draw with FC Maccabi Haifa. Instead, the inexperienced and youthful BORIS KLEIMAN was tapped by Shirazi to face the Yellows in the Big Tel Aviv Derby Played Behind Closed Doors.

In a major departure from the last meeting with the Yellows, the Reds trainer also changed his formation. Striker OMER DAMARI, the 23-year-old Israel international who paces the Reds with 15 goals in Ligat ha’Al this term, was deployed as a lone striker up front for FC Hapoel Tel Aviv. A five-man midfield for Shirazi’s squad already without suspended Israel internationals SALIM TOAMA, the former legionnaire with Belgian outfit Standard Liege, and AVIHAI YADIN, then.

=========================================

=========================================
Israel U-21 international goalkeeper BORIS KLEIMAN (22), the 20-year-old who spent all of last season out on loan to second division club FC Hapoel Kfar Saba, walks out just behind FC Hapoel Tel Aviv captain VALEED BADEER, the 38-year-old veteran defender who had a season for FC Wimbledon in England once upon a time and has earned 74 caps for the senior national team of Israel in his career, just prior to the start of the Big Tel Aviv Derby match opposite traditional, intra-city rival FC Maccabi Tel Aviv that was played behind closed doors at the Bloomfield Stadium.
=========================================

FC Maccabi Tel Aviv skipper BARAK YITZHAKI tested Kleiman twice early on with difficult, low drives that the young FC Hapoel Tel Aviv goalkeeper did well to keep out at full stretch. Perhaps the lack of crowd noise allowed for sharper concentration but, whatever the case, the youngster also pulled off a couple of sensational saves at the expense of the Yellows’ 19-year-old winger MOANES DABOUR. The second of these efforts, in the 43rd minute, would clearly have been deserving of a derby match-winner but Kleiman, indeed, had other ideas.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, Israel international GUY HAIMOV picked right up where he had left off in the last Big Tel Aviv Derby between the sticks for FC Maccabi Tel Aviv. Half an hour into the match, FC Hapoel Tel Aviv midfielder SHAY ABUTBUL curled a free kick around the wall only to have the flying Haimov, who ended the derby match with a fifth shutout in six Ligat ha’Al games since returning from a lengthy injury spell, just barely tip the ball to safety. The Reds’ right fullback I’YAD KHUTABA had a great chance from the resulting corner but blasted his shot well over the crossbar.

==================================

==================================
Israel international goalkeeper GUY HAIMOV (55) of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, easily the Man of the Match in the last, controversy-filled Big Tel Aviv Derby, secures the ball ahead of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Nigeria international midfielder NOSA IGIEBOR (40), a summer acquisition of the Reds from Norwegian side SK Lillestrom, during the Big Tel Aviv Derby Behind Closed Doors.
==================================

The pace of the match slowed considerably in the second half, as did the scoring chances, themselves. Nigeria international NOSA IGIEBOR, perhaps the Reds’ most menacing player operating in the central attacking midfield role, narrowly missed with a shot ten minutes after the break. Yellows striker ELIRAN ATAR, who dispatched the only goal of the previous Big Tel Aviv Derby from the penalty spot, broke in clear but shot high and wide from a sharp angle on the hour.

Midfielder GAL ALBERMAN, the Bundesliga veteran with 27 caps for Israel, had a standout match in the defensive midfield for the Yellows, it should be noted. FC Maccabi Tel Aviv interim trainer NIR LEVINE did send on veteran Israel international striker ROBERTO COLAUTTI, who scored six goals in 47 German top flight matches with Borussia Moenchengladbach before transferring to the Yellows in the summer of 2010, to see about a late winner but none was forthcomng. Abutbul had the last attempt for FC Hapoel Tel Aviv but slammed another free kick straight into the wall.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv striker TOTO TAMUZ, the Israel international who is second for the Reds with 13 goals in Ligat ha’Al this term, never made it off the bench and onto the pitch at the Bloomfield Stadium for the Big Tel Aviv Derby Behind Closed Doors.

=======================================================

=======================================================
A sliding FC Hapoel Tel Aviv midfielder SHAY ABUTBUL cannot prevent FC Maccabi Tel Aviv winger MOANES DABOUR, the emerging 19-year-old Israel youth international who has scored four goals in Ligat ha’Al this season, from having what will prove to be the best chance of the Big Tel Aviv Derby match played behind closed doors at the Bloomfield Stadium.
=======================================================

FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV : Kleiman – Khutaba, Badeer, Suler, Antebi – Abutbul, Giordana – Oremus, Igiebor, Cohen (Abbas 71′) – Damari

FC MACCABI TEL AVIV : Haimov – Vered, Puncec, Nivaldo, Ziv – Dabour (Israelevich 79′), Alberman, Yeini, Micha (Colautti 81st) – Yitzhaki, Atar

=======================================================

=======================================================
FC Maccabi Tel Aviv defensive midfielder GAL ALBERMAN, the 28-year-old Israel international who signed for the Yellows in the summer of 2010 after two seasons in Germany with Borussia Moenchengladbach, looks to gum up the works for the FC Hapoel Tel Aviv midfield pair of Nigeria international NOSA IGIEBOR (40) and former Israel U-21 international SHAY ABUTBUL (18) during the latest installment of the Big Tel Aviv Derby.

Big Tel Aviv Derby Behind Closed Doors

========================================================
BLOOMFIELD STADIUM, TEL AVIV
========================================================

There is, perhaps, no better way to begin the so-called Championship Round of this 2011-12 Ligat ha’Al season than with another action-packed BIG TEL AVIV DERBY featuring traditional intra-city rivals FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV and FC MACCABI TEL AVIV.

However, unfortunately for local football fans, the latest installment of the Red and Yellows this Saturday will be played behind closed doors as a result of the tumultuous events that transpired at the most recent Big Tel Aviv Derby only eighteen days ago on the 5th of March.

Both the Reds and Yellows share the BLOOMFIELD STADIUM in Tel Aviv, which has an official capacity for 14,700 spectators. But it was FC Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters, 24 of whom were arrested afterwards, who clearly caused a tremendous amount of trouble in the last meeting with FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, which was a home match for the Reds. The ISRAEL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has clamped down hard on FC Hapoel Tel Aviv — three points deducted in the standings, three home matches to be played behind closed doors immediately in addition to a financial penalty of 40,000 Israeli New Shekels.

Furthermore, the two FC Hapoel Tel Aviv players who were both expelled by match referee Menashe Mashiah during the long seven minutes of time added on, midfielders AVIHAI YUDIN and SALIM TOAMA, have also faced justice from the IFA, as well. Yudin has been suspended for an unprecedented 12 games while Toama received a considerable six-match ban for disorderly conduct and other related charges. The Reds did issue an official statement stating the club intend to appeal the “harsh” decision.

========================================================

========================================================

FC Ironi Kiryat Shmona are all but certain to clinch the 2012 Ligat ha’Al title shortly (perhaps even this weekened), there is all to play for in the Championship Round for both the Reds and Yellows. Although FC Hapoel Tel Aviv are second in the standings on 49 points despite their penalty, there are three clubs only two points adrift and still another three teams, including FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, all within at least six points of the Reds, too. In short, the three Israeli places for the income-generating UEFA Europa League competition next season are anything but decided.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv have done well for themselves as of late despite the losses. Trainer NITZAN SHIRAZI’s squad defeated last season’s champions, FC Maccabi Haifa, decisively on the road 4-1 and tied this term’s runaway leaders FC Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-2 in Ligat ha’Al in the wake of the last Big Tel Aviv Derby. Just this past Wednesday, the resilient Reds needed extra time but were also able to oust FC Hapoel Bnei Lod 3-1 in the Israeli State Cup.

FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, had climbed to as high as fifth in the standings a couple of weeks ago but fell 0-3 on their travels at currently-fifth place FC Maccabi Netanya last Saturday. It should be noted that trainer NIR LEVINE’s side were without three regulars including striker BARAK ITZHAKI, second for the Yellows this term with eight goals in Ligat ha’Al, who were all suspended (too many yellow cards) for that match in Netanya. Israel international goalkeeper GUY HAIMOV had been on a roll for the Yellows before the loss, as well, posting four consecutive clean sheets after returning from an injury which had put the 24-year-old netminder out of action 17 games in Ligat ha’Al earlier.

The Yellows, of course, just recently put an end to nearly four long years of frustration and finally defeated the Reds in the last Big Tel Aviv Derby to stop a ten-match winless streak against their great intra-city arch-rival.

========================================================

========================================================
Israel international striker and FC Maccabi Tel Aviv club captain BARAK YITZHAKI, who netted three goals in 15 matches for Belgian side Racing Genk to close out the 2007-08 campaign before a move that summer to FC Beitar Jerusalem, looks to elude the sliding challenge of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv defender AVIHAI YADIN, who has since been issued a long suspension by the Israel Football Association, during the last Big Tel Aviv Derby match at the Bloomfield Stadium at the beginning of March.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv 0 – FC Maccabi Tel Aviv 1

========================================================
Israel international defender YOAV ZIV (14) of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, whose run into the box would tip the scales of the Big Tel Aviv Derby for the Yellows, weighs his options as FC Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Israel international midfielder ALROEY COHEN (11) moves in to challenge during the intense, backyard tussle featuring two sides who both call the Bloomfield Stadium home.
========================================================

It all happened in this most interesting intra-city clash of fierce arch-rivals, then, as the English would certainly be inclined to say.

Crunching tackles and cards (no fewer than thirteen yellow and two red) flowing freely from the match referee’s pocket. Dramatic scoring opportunities denied by in-form goalkeepers employing highlight-reel heroics. Even the atmosphere inside the ground played its requisite part with an energized and raucous audience always on the verge of completely crossing that invisible line and becoming totally out of control.

It was, in short, pretty much everything a classic derby match is supposed to be. The sort of stuff that really makes it hard for a blogger to even know where to begin, actually. Heart-felt condolences and sympathy are officially extended to all the unfortunates around the world who missed this latest installment of the BIG TEL AVIV DERBY!

========================================================

========================================================
FC Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder GAL ALBERMAN (6), the 28-year-old veteran with 27 caps for Israel who spent two seasons with German club Borussia Moenchengladbach before signing with the Yellows in the summer of 2010, prepares to pass the ball ahead of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv’s trailing Israel international striker TOTO TAMUZ (99), who has netted 34 goals in Ligat ha’Al for the Reds since being acquired from FC Beitar Jerusalem at the beginning of last season, during the Big Tel Aviv Derby match at the Bloomfield Stadium.
========================================================

FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV looked to have secured a lightning start to the contest with ultimate adversary FC MACCABI TEL AVIV after Nigeria international midfielder NOSA IGIEBOR netted a ball for the Reds in the opening minute of the match but the goal was correctly disallowed as the summer signing from Norwegian club SK Lillestrom, who always looked the most lively and menacing on this evening for FC Hapoel Tel Aviv, had taken his feed from a player who had originally received his pass while in the offsides position.

Things evened out shortly thereafter when the counterattacking Yellows worked a ball into the back of the net only to have the strike waved off with another correct offsides decision in the 16th minute.

For the most part, the first half unfolded as expected with FC Hapoel Tel Aviv, standing second in Ligat ha’Al, better able to dominate the possession and create the chances. But FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, entering the match occuping eighth place in the Israeli top flight standings, remained disciplined and organized on defense as well as very determined with the tackle. And the Yellows, seeking to put an end to nearly four years of futility against the domineering Reds, would, in fact, be rewarded for their patient and pragmatic game plan with the halftime whistle approaching.

========================================================

========================================================
TURNING POINT OF THE DERBY MATCH — Israel international defender YOAV ZIV (14) of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv is taken down by FC Hapoel Tel Aviv defender I’YAD KHUTABA, who made his international debut for Israel in the pivotal UEFA European Championships, Group F qualifer against Croatia in Zagreb this past September, inside the penalty area in the 41st minute of the Big Tel Aviv Derby at the Bloomfield Stadium.
=============================================

=============================================
FC Hapoel Tel Aviv goalkeeper APOULA EDEL, the Cameroon native who has made six appearances for the national team of Armenia and was involved in an age / identity controversy while playing with French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint Germain last season, guessed correctly but was beaten by the sheer power of the low, well-taken penalty by FC Maccabi Tel Aviv striker ELIRAN ATAR.
========================================================

========================================================
Slovenia World Cup defender MARKO SULER (5) of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv, recently arrived on loan from Belgian side KAA Gent, can only despair as FC Maccabi Tel Aviv striker ELIRAN ATAR (16) celebrates his pivotal 42nd minute strike from the penalty spot as Yellows club captain and Israel international striker BARAK YITZHAKI (9) offers his congratulations during the absolutely riveting Big Tel Aviv Derby at the Bloomfield Stadium.
========================================================

A team-leading ninth goal of the Ligat ha’Al season from FC Maccabi Tel Aviv striker ELIRAN ATAR provided the Yellows with both a burst of momentum as well as a boost of confidence for the underdogs as the two sides departed for their respective changing rooms at the break.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv stepped up the pressure considerably after the restart but Israel international striker OMER DAMARI, who leads the Reds with 14 goals in Ligat ha’Al this term, wasted a good chance by firing wide in the 49th minute. Igiebor soon followed with a dangerous, deflected effort that FC Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Israel international goalkeeper GUY HAIMOV did exceptionally well to get a hand to and just barely steer around the post. And then Slovenia World Cup defender MARKO SULER, a recent acquisition of the Reds on loan from Belgian side KAA Gent, forced the besieged Haimov, making only his third start since returning from a long injury layoff, into another stunning save with a fierce header from a corner kick.

Even Israel international striker TOTO TAMUZ, who is second on FC Hapoel Tel Aviv having scored a baker’s dozen goals in the domestic top flight this season, got in on the act but directed his header from a corner straight at the Yellows shot-stopper on the hour.

========================================================

========================================================
Derby Day Man of the Moment ELIRAN ATAR (16), who scored FC Maccabi Tel Aviv’s only goal in the 3-1 loss to FC Hapoel Tel Aviv in Ligat ha’Al earlier this fall, is mobbed by supporters of the Yellows at the Bloomfield Stadium just after dispatching a 42nd minute penalty kick against the Reds during the dramatic Big Tel Aviv Derby.
========================================================

FC Maccabi Tel Aviv interim trainer NIR LEVINE wisely wisely withdrew a striker in favor of an extra midfielder with twenty-five mintues remaining. This helped to stem the flow of the Reds’ attack somewhat although Tamuz did bring about yet another quality save from Haimov with a drive from the top of the box with about a dozen minutes left in regulation. Igiebor would have the last chance for FC Hapoel Tel Aviv but sent his long range effort straight at the Man of the Match for FC Maccabi Tel Aviv two minutes into stoppage time.

Seven additional minutes, in fact, were added on by match referee MENASHE MASHIAH, who had his hands full throughout the contest, and distasteful scenes would ensue. As television replays clearly showed, the match-winner Atar was clunked on the head at the corner flag by an object thrown from the stands occupied by FC Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters. Earlier on in the Big Tel Aviv Derby, a fan of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv had been badly injured after a flare was thrown by someone in the Reds section, as well, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz later reported.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv completely lost its composure and had two players sent off in the fourth minute of time added on. This, of course, accomplished little aside from effectively de-railing any prospect of an equalizer. For when the final whistle brought the explosive Big Tel Aviv Derby to its conclusion, FC Maccabi Tel Aviv celebrated all the same.

The ten-match winless streak opposite the dreaded arch-rival was over!

========================================================

========================================================
Brazilian import defender NIVALDO BATISTA SANTANA, the 31-year-old, well-traveled veteran who joined with FC Maccabi Tel Aviv via a free transfer from Spanish side Real Valladolid in the summer of 2010 and has become a respected elder statesman at the Ligat ha’Al club since, salutes the supporters after the Yellows put an end to the 10-match winless streak against the despised Reds in the always-exciting Big Tel Aviv Derby from Israel.
========================================================

FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV : Edel – Khutaba (Abbas 80′), Shushan, Suler, Antebi – Oremus (Cohen 54′), Yadin, Abutbul (Toama 46′), Igiebor – Tamuz, Damari

FC MACCABI TEL AVIV : Haimov – Saban, Puncec, Nivaldo, Ziv – Dabour, Alberman, Micha (Yeini 83′), Dahan (Konate 83′) – Atar, Yitzhaki (Kehat 65′)

goal — Atar 42′

yellow cards — Atar 14′, Khutaba 14′, Yadin 22′, Yitzhaki 23′, Oremus 38′, Shushan 51′, Igiebor 52′, Toama 54′, Haimov 74′, Yeini 83′, Dabour 85′, Abbas 90+6′, Damari 90+7′

red cards — Yadin 90+4′, Toama 90+4′

========================================================

Big Tel Aviv Derby Today!

========================================================
The respective first teams for red-shirted FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV and all-yellow clad, intra-city rival FC MACCABI TEL AVIV line-up at the Bloomfield Stadium just prior to the start of the BIG TEL AVIV DERBY match this past November.
========================================================

With FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV stuck in second place a massive fourteen points behind the Ligat ha’Al leaders and arch-adversary FC MACCABI TEL AVIV far adrift occupying eighth position in the domestic top flight standings, the proverbial old adage, “throw out the records”, will apply more than ever when traditional foes, the Reds and the Yellows, collide in the first installment of the always-intense Big Tel Aviv Derby for this calendar year of 2012.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv, the two-time defending Israeli State Cup holders who won the Ligat ha’Al title in 2010 and finished second last season, have had their way with their great intra-city rival in recent times and remain unbeaten in their last ten top flight matches (with six wins) against FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, who are Israel’s most successful club historically but whose last honors came with the State Cup title won back in 2005.

But the Yellows, under the direction of interim trainer NIR LEVINE after the sacking of MOTTI IVANIR in early December, do have the requisite amount of pride and tradition and will be looking to knock off the despised Reds in Ligat ha’Al for the first time in nearly four long years — since FC Maccabi Tel Aviv edged FC Hapoel Tel Aviv 2-1 on March 9, 2008, to be exact.

========================================================

========================================================
Israel U-21 international midfielder DOR MICHA (15) of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, who leads the Yellows with 25 appearances in Ligat ha’Al this season, duels for possession of the ball with FC Hapoel Tel Aviv’s youthful midfielder ROEI GORDANA (21) during the Big Tel Aviv Derby match at the Bloomfield Stadium this past November.
========================================================

In the last Big Tel Aiv Derby a little more than three months ago, the Reds downed the Yellows 3-1 on the strength of goals from Slovakia international defender MARIO PECALKA, Israel international midfielder ALROEY COHEN and veteran midfielder SHAY ABUTBUL.

Israel international striker BARAK YITZHAKI, the 27-year-old attacker who had half a season for Racing Genk in Belgium before returning to FC Beitar Jerusalem in the summer of 2008, accounted for the lone goal of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Pecalka, a 31-year-old who had only arrived at FC Hapoel Tel Aviv in the summer from Slovak outfit MSK Zilina, has since gone out on loan to SK Slovan Bratislava back in his homeland; the replacement is Slovenia World Cup defender MARKO SULER, the 28-year-old with 30 caps who is arriving in Tel Aviv on loan from Belgian side KAA Gent.

========================================================

========================================================
FC Maccabi Tel Aviv defender YOAV ZIV (14), the 30-year veteran with 28 caps for Israel who signed for the Yellows in the summer of 2010 from Belgian side KSC Lokeren, clears the ball under pressure from FC Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Israel international striker TOTO TAMUZ (99), the 23-year-old who led the entire Ligat ha’Al with 21 goals last term, during the Big Tel Aviv Derby at the Bloomfield Stadium this past November.
========================================================

BIG TEL AVIV DERBY – Bloomfield Stadium
Match Highlights — November 27, 2011

http://www.footytube.com/video/maccabi-tel-aviv-hapoel-tel-aviv-nov-27-97276

========================================================

========================================================
FC Maccabi Tel Aviv goalkeeper BARAK LEVY (1), the 19-year-old who took over as first choice between the sticks after the injury to Israel international GUY HAIMOV, gathers a high ball in front of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Nigeria international midfielder NOSA IGIEBOR (40) during the Big Tel Aviv Derby at the Bloomfield Stadium this past November.
========================================================

2011/12 season
FC Hapoel Tel Aviv

Ligat ha’Al goal-scoring — Damari 14, Tamuz 13, Cohen 4, Badeer 3, Abutbul 2, Toama 2, Yadin 2, Fransman 1, Gordana 1, Igiebor 1, Lala 1, Oremus 1, Pecalka 1

========================================================

========================================================
Israel international striker OMER DAMARI of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv (left)
========================================================

2011/12 season
FC Maccabi Tel Aviv

Ligat ha’Al goals — Atar 8, Yitzhaki 8, Colautti 7, Dabour 4, Konate 4, Kehat 3, Mendunjanin 1, Micha 1, Nivaldo 1, Yeini 1

========================================================

========================================================
Senegal international striker MOUSSA KONATE of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv (left)
========================================================

Legia Warsaw Lecture Canceled

=======================================================
The incredibly hostile and, without question, provocative “JIHAD LEGIA” banner in Arabic script displayed by supporters of Polish club LEGIA WARSAW for the UEFA Europa League match with visiting Israeli club FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV at the POLISH ARMY STADIUM (known as the Pepsi Arena for sponsorship purposes) in late September earlier this 2011/12 season.
=======================================================

Fact of the matter is, this blog has been trying to determine the most appropriate way in which to respond to this unique display by the supporters of the Polish club, Legia Warsaw, for quite some time now.

In mid-Novmeber, the European Union of Football Associations formally rule on this case and officially levied a fine of 10,000 Euros (that would be the equivalent of roughly $ 13,500 here in the United States) against the Legia Warsaw club.

This financial penalty actually amounting to something even microscopically less than a slap on the wrist. And anybody who understands the first thing of what about what the average transfer fee of the average player in Europe routinely costs has no choice but to concur. Indeed, the blog actually seriously considered paying the fine incurred the by actions of the incredibly “misguided” Legia Warsaw supporters just to prove a point.

But, on the other hand, the blog has been making a serious attempt to confront reality as well as search the soul since this scandal first broke, too. There can be no question that Jew-bashing in Europe is becoming increasing more popular with each passing day. The inevitable failure that is the European Union and its unsustainable entitlements have to be a contributing factor as, anyone who has gone anywhere near a history book, ever, knows that blaming Jews for the ills of society has been going on pretty much since the beginning of time.

And there just ain’t nothin’ this blog’s never gonna to be able to do to stop that kinda nonsense, either — this is just a stone cold fact of life.

Truth is, as has been previously disclosed here, this blog is run by a pair of German brothers who were sent to Presbyterian church growing up because it was the closest one down the street … so, in other words, if Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really makes good of his oft-repeated threats to “wipe Israel off the map” with nuclear weapons — why should we actually give a genuine damn, anyway? The fallout would never make its way all the way over here across the Atlantic Ocean to America, where we live, so, hey, exactly why do we really care?

In the end, the blog is well aware the only thing achieved by taking time to address such issues and actually take a principled stand is to incur the wrath of the loyal readership, who always prefer the predictable and standard diet of basic entertainment and sports. We know nobody wants a history lecture, which is probably for the best because we have been chomping at the bit to bring up what the Soviet NKVD did to the Polish Officer Corps in the Katyn Forest. But we definitely also know no one wants to be challenged to actually have to think about hypocrisy or anything of the intellecutal sort because, hey, the blog is suppose to stick with the popular, dumbed-down sports program that acutally might draw more than five people per day, right?

Right. And so, the lucky Legia Warsaw supporters get the proverbial pass today. Congratulations on a job well done, people.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv Have Huge Victory

=================================
Israel international BEN SAHAR of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv, the one-time FC Chelsea striker out on loan for the season from Spanish La Liga side RCD Espanyol Barcelona, competes for the ball with FC Maccabi Haifa defender EYAL MESHUMAR (27) during the critical Ligat ha’Al match at the Bloomfield Stadium. (Sharon Bukov/haaretz)
=================================

Three unanswered goals after the concession of an equalizer early into the second half allowed defending champions FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV to inflict a massive 4-1 defeat on visiting FC MACCABI HAIFA in a major top-of-the-table clash in the Israeli top flight.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv had taken the lead in the very first minute with lightning strike by Israel international BEN SAHAR; the 21-year-old, on-loan striker headed in the cross of Israel international midfielder GIL VERMOUTH to register his 12th goal in Ligat ha’Al this term.

But FC Maccabi Haifa began to find footing more and more as the match wore on and leveled matters soon after halftime. The Reds’ Nigeria World Cup goalkeeper VINCENT ENYEAMA could only parry the header of the Greens’ Colombian midfielder JOHN CULMA, the well-traveled veteran who has been on the books with CA Independiente of Argentina and the Mexico City-based CD Cruz Azul in his time. And, Israel U-21 international striker MOHAMMAD GHADIR was able to convert from close range.

Big-time players produce in big-game situations, however, and FC Hapoel Tel Aviv retook the lead for good when Israel international midfielder ERAN ZAHAVI curled a free kick from the edge of the area past FC Maccabi Haifa goalkeeper NIR DAVIDOVICH, the 34-year-old who has earned 51 caps for Israel in his career, to score his eighth goal of the season in the 64th minute.

Israel international striker TOTO TAMUZ added his 13th goal of the campaign after a square ball from midfielder SHAY ABUTBUL with a quarter of an hour to play and Israel international SALIM TOAMA, the 31-year-old winger who had come on as a second half substitute, tacked on a fourth goal for FC Hapoel Tel Aviv at the very end with his fourth goal in Ligat ha’Al this season.

With the spectacular result, manager ELI GUTMAN’s side have taken the lead in the Israeli top flight by one point with six rounds to play.

FC Maccabi Tel Aviv 1 – FC Hapoel Tel Aviv 1

========================================================
With the Reds’ Nigeria World Cup goalkeeper VINCENT ENYEAMA (right) well off his line, highly-experienced Israel international defender and FC Hapoel Tel Aviv club captain VALEED BADEER heads the ball away from FC Maccabi Tel Aviv striker ELIRAN ATAR, the leading goal-scorer for the Yellows in Ligat ha’Al this season, during the Big Tel Aviv Derby match at the Bloomfield Stadium. (maccabi-tlv.co.il)
========================================================

The first BIG TEL AVIV DERBY match of the still-relatively New Year of 2011 delivered plenty of intensity and entertainment as any intra-city rivalry is typically wont to do.

Defending champions FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV took a well-deserved first half advantage. But, FC MACCABI TEL AVIV, the most successful side in the history of Israeli football, fought back for an equalizer shortly after the halftime break. A tense finish found the two goalkeepers in fine form and, thus, each side took a point from the 1-1 draw.

Israel international ERAN ZAHAVI, who led FC Hapoel Tel Aviv with five goals during the UEFA Champions League campaign, could have given the Reds a fast start against their bitter rivals. The 22-year-old had scored a spectacular goal earlier this Holiday Season in France with an overhead bicycle kick against Olympique Lyon. The emerging midfielder, however, allowed FC Maccabi Tel Aviv to go unpunished with an off-target volley in the eighth minute.

Zahavi would redeem himself half an hour into the match, though, with an accurate left wing cross into the box for the waiting captain of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv.

========================================================

========================================================
Israel international defender YOAV ZIV (14) of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, back in Ligat ha’Al after a campaign in Belgium with KSC Lokeren, slides tackles the ball away from FC Hapoel Tel Aviv’s talented Israel international midfielder ERAN ZAHAVI during the intra-city derby at the Bloomfield Stadium. (maccabi-tlv.co.il)
========================================================

Aging 36-year-old VALEED BADEER is just outside the top ten all-time with 74 caps for Israel. The experienced center back, who spent two seasons in England with London club FC Wimbledon several years ago, has notched 12 goals — an impressive number by a defender — for his country, as well. The battle-hardened veteran did not let his team down in the Big Tel Aviv Derby and deposited a free header for a 1-0 FC Hapoel Tel Aviv lead.

The goal marked the captain Badeer’s first for the Reds in Ligat ha’Al this season.

The current title holders continued to press but were prevented from doing further damage by the captain of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv with eight caps for Israel over the course of his long career, 37-year-old goalkeeper LIAN STRAUBER.

========================================================

========================================================
(maccabi-tlv.co.il)
========================================================

The Yellows have not defeated the Reds in the Big Tel Aviv Derby since March of 2008, a fact which FC Maccabi Tel Aviv’s new manager MOTTI IVANIR reminded his team during the halftime talk.

Sufficiently inspired, the 18-time national champion of Israel struck just two minutes after the restart when a sharp pass from youthful Israel international midfielder MAOR BUZAGLO, who leads the Yellows wit seven assists in Ligat ha’Al this term, released Bulgaria international DIMITAR RANGELOV. The striker on loan from German Bundesliga leader Borussia Dortmund has struggled to score goals in the Israeli top flight this term but found a sense of occasion just in time for the great all-Tel Aviv tussle. Having done so, Rangelov dispatched his effort to record just his second goal this season and equalize for FC Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Appropriate enough for the night the late, great Israel international AVI COHEN’s # 5 shirt was forever put away, the game was back on.

========================================================

========================================================
Bulgaria international striker DIMITAR RANGELOV signals with delight his equalizing goal for FC Maccabi Tel Aviv while opposing FC Hapoel Tel Aviv striker BEN SAHAR (11) looks away with his hands on his hips shortly into the second half of the Big Tel Aviv Derby at the Bloomfield Stadium. (maccabi-tlv.co.il)
========================================================

In the 67th minute, FC Hapoel Tel Aviv’s in-form Israel international striker BEN SAHAR only just missed his chance to be a derby match-winner.

Mali international midfielder DJIBRIL SIDIBE, who has scored two goals in Ligat ha’Al for FC Maccabi Tel Aviv this season, had the most dangerous opportunity with a little over ten minutes remaining from time. The 28-year-old midfielder, acquired by the Yellows for a mere 150,000 Euros from French outfit CS Sedan this past summer, unleashed a thunderbolt from about 30 meters out. But Sidibe would not claim derby hero status, either.

Nigeria World Cup goalkeeper VINCENT ENYEAMA needed to employ all his considerable athleticism and skill to get his fingertips to the rocket of Sidibe and keep FC Hapoel Tel Aviv level.

========================================================

========================================================
(maccabi-tlv.co.il)
========================================================

With less than five minutes remaining in regulation time, the Reds created one final attempt at victory in the Big Tel Aviv Derby. Israel international midfielder GIL VERMOUTH launched a missle from the edge of the penalty area but Strauber proved equal to the task for FC Maccabi Tel Aviv. Thus, the score stood at 1-1 with the final whistle.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv fell out of first place behind FC Maccabi Haifa with the draw opposite their traditional intra-city, arch-rival. FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, were able to stretch their hold on third to six points. The resurgent Yellows also remained unbeaten under the stewardship of Ivanir.

————————————————————————————————————————–

FC MACCABI TEL AVIV : Strauber – Ziv, Strool, Pavicevic, Saban (Gafney 86′) – Israelevich (Alberman 67′), Sidibe, Medunjanin, Buzaglo – Atar (Colautti 60′), Rangelov

FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV : Enyeama – Bondarv, Fransman, Badeer, Ben Dayan – Vermouth, Zahavi, Abutbul (Toama 62′), Yadin – Tamuz (Maree 83′), Sahar

Tel Aviv’s Derby Day Architectural Tour

========================================================
It was said in the 1930s that the Middle Eastern city of TEL AVIV had the appearance as if a great fleet of white ocean liners had somehow managed to wash up on the beach. (photo courtesy Molovinsky Educational Institute for Advanced Cultural Studies)
========================================================

No matter where in the world one decides to take in a football match, it is, in fact, rather difficult to journey to any given athletic facility in any given location and not notice at least a little something in terms of the surrounding environment and landscape.

With that in mind, the blog is very pleased and honored to have been able to arrange a special Derby Day treat — a wonderful blog piece about some of the architecture that can be found in today’s featured city :

“TEL AVIV, THE BAUHAUS PERIOD”

http://molovinskyonallentown.blogspot.com

Please enjoy and, if one is not careful, something new in terms of knowledge just may be acquired from the local heavyweight champion of cultrure, history and tradition here in the United States.

=====================================================

=====================================================
In the early 1930s over a dozen young and talented architects fled the Nazis in Adolf Hitler’s Germany and came to Tel Aviv. There, they built thousands of buildings in the Modern / International style influenced by the Bauhaus Movement. (photo courtesy Molovinsky Educational Institute for Advanced Cultural Studies)
=====================================================

Big Tel Aviv Derby

========================================================
Israel international midfielder GAL ALBERMAN (center) of FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, who spent two seasons in the German Bundesliga with Borussia Moenchengladbach following his selection as the domestic Footballer of the Year by the Maariv newspaper for his work with FC Beitar Jerusalem over the 2007-08 season, moves into the penalty box for a corner kick opposite FC Hapoel Tel Aviv during the “Big Tel Aviv Derby” match this past mid-October at the Bloomfield Stadium. (maccabi-tlv.co.il)
========================================================

Because the modern metropolis has no fewer than three clubs in the domestic top flight, football matches between FC MACCABI TEL AVIV and FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV are known locally as the “BIG TEL AVIV DERBY”.

It is, indeed, a worthy description of this particular intra-city derby fixture as the competing clubs are easily the two most successful sides in the history of Israeli football. FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, who were originally founded as the first Jewish football club during the Ottoman Palestine era in 1906, have totaled 18 league championships and another 22 domestic Cup titles. And the requisite, traditional arch-rival whose roots stretch back to 1923, FC Hapoel Tel Aviv, have won league and Cup honors a matching 13 times apiece.

The very first Big Tel Aviv Derby took place more than three quarters of a century ago during the time period known as the British Mandate. In February of 1928, the elder FC Maccabi Tel Aviv shutout upstart FC Hapoel Tel Aviv 3-0 in the inaugural intra-city clash following the formation of the Palestine Football Association earlier that year.

===================================================

===================================================
Supporters of historical and traditional Israeli side FC Maccabi Tel Aviv have a visual presentation involving blue and yellow placards at the Bloomfield Stadium to celebrate the fact that their highly-successful football club has been in existance for more than a century.
========================================================

========================================================
FC Hapoel Tel Aviv is “the standard bearer of the Israeli left”. To make a long story short, the Hapoel Sports Association were always associated with the Histadrut trade union and FC Hapoel Tel Aviv were the last Israeli football club to formally cut ties with politics, i.e., the trade union movement and the Labour Party. Yes, that is a Marxist / Soviet style Hammer and Sickle which adorns the official club emblem.
========================================================

The first-ever Big Tel Aviv Derby confrontation in a Cup Final occurred in 1933 with FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, once again, the winners with a 1-0 result. A year later, the budding intra-city adversaries both advanced to the Cup Final again with FC Hapoel Tel Aviv able to extract revenge with a 3-2 triumph. In all, the two sides have met a total of seven times in the Final of the Israeli State Cup with FC Maccabi Tel Aviv holding a decisive 5-2 advantage in those high-profile, head-to-head meetings.

In the first Big Tel Aviv Derby of the Ligat ha’Al season this past October, a goal scored by Israel international midfielder ERAN ZAHAVI and a clean sheet turned in by Nigeria World Cup goalkeeper VINCENT ENYEAMA gave FC Hapoel Tel Aviv a 1-0 victory in the “home” leg of the tie for the defending Israeli league and Cup champions.

FC Hapoel Tel Aviv are, at present, topping the domestic table on the basis of goal-differential over FC Maccabi Haifa. After appointing former FC Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israel national team midfielder MOTTI IVANIR the new trainer not so long ago, the Yellows have won four Ligat ha’Al matches on the trot and lurk four points off pace in third position. A positive result in the Big Tel Aviv Derby on Sunday could change everything for the most successful club in the history of Israeli football.

========================================================

========================================================
FC Maccabi Tel Aviv leading scorer ELIRAN ATAR, the 23-year-old striker selected as Man of the Match following two goals for the Yellows in the 4-3 UEFA Europa League victory over French side Paris St. Germain earlier this past August, leaps over the sliding, studs-up challenge of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv club captain and 36-year-old veteran VALEED BADEER, the defender with 74 caps and 12 goals for the national team of Israel to his credit, during the Big Tel Aviv Toto Cup Derby match this past fall at the shared Bloomfield Stadium. (maccabi-tlv.co.il)

Bloomfield Stadium – Divided Domicile

========================================================

One of the most unique and interesting aspects of the BIG TEL AVIV DERBY is the fact that the two involved football clubs actually occupy the same athletic stadium.

Of course, ground sharing is not the way it usually works with the world’s great derby fixtures. As is the case in the always-exciting, intra-city football matches the blog likes to follow. Glasgow, Vienna, Liverpool, Hamburg or, perhaps, Madrid — normally, each team any given cross-town rivalry across the globe has a separate facility to call home. Not so, however, in the modern Israeli city of Tel Aviv.

In fact, the BLOOMFIELD STADIUM, site of the great Derby In The Sand featured at the blog here this weekend, is home ground for no less than three teams in the top flight of Israeli professional football.

========================================================

========================================================

Aside from FC HAPOEL TEL AVIV and FC MACCABI TEL AVIV, the Bloomfield Stadium also plays host to Ligat ha’Al club FC BNEI YEHUDA TEL AVIV, as well.

The moniker “Big Tel Aviv Derby” was derived to separate intra-city contests involving the two most successful clubs in the history of Israeli football from the all-Tel Aviv matches involving FC Bnei Yehuda, whose games involving the other two teams are known as the “Little Tel Aviv Derby.”

The Bloomfield Stadium was originally constructed and completed in 1962 to serve as the home of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv. Located in the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Jaffa, the Bloomfield facility was built on the same ground where the old BASA STADIUM once stood. In December of 1962, the stadium hosted its very first international match with the arrival of Dutch club FC Twente Enschede for a friendly with FC Hapoel Tel Aviv.

========================================================

========================================================

The official capacity for the Bloomfield Stadium, which is owned by the Tel Aviv Municipality, is listed as 15,700.

The park has played host to a number of Israeli professional football clubs throughout the years including both FC Beitar Tel Aviv and FC Shimshon Tel Aviv, who merged in 2000; now known as FC Beitar Shimshon Tel Aviv and competing in the Israeli second division, the club now contest their home matches at the smaller Hatikva Neighborhood Stadium (capacity 6,500) in the city.

FC Maccabi Jaffa also spent time as a tenant at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv before closing up shop in 2000.

========================================================

========================================================

Those who are more interested in the history of the construction and financing of the Bloomfield Stadium might try — “IN THE STANDS AT TEL AVIV’s BLOOMFIELD STADIUM” — which was published previously at the blog back in late November.

FC Maccabi Tel Aviv, the traditional arch-enemy of FC Hapoel Tel Aviv, first arrived to share ground at the Bloomfield Stadium after leaving the HaMaccabi Stadium in the late 1960s; following a fifteen year absence beginning in 1985, the Yellows returned after staging its home matches at the National Stadium in Ramat Gan, an eastern suburb of Tel Aviv.

FC Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, who have been around since 1936, had contested home games for most of their existance at the Hatikva Neighborhood Stadium but moved to the Bloomfield Stadium in 2004.

========================================================

========================================================
Outfitted in the traditional color of yellow, FC Maccabi Tel Aviv plays the ball into the penalty area during last April’s Ligat ha’Al match against visiting FC Beitar Jerusalem — the club who won their first-ever Israeli league championship following the 1986-87 season after being forced, because of crowd-related issues, to stage all of their home matches in Tel Aviv that year — at the multi-tenant Bloomfield Stadium.