There is always a great buzz around any football changing room at the start of the season.
Maccabi football is no different, be it at junior, men’s or even Masters level. That feeling of putting on pristine new kits, hoping all your hard work during pre-season has paid dividends and everything fits perfectly.
There are always one or two who get swamped by the jerseys, while at the other end of the spectrum, those who perhaps overdid it at the buffet table on holiday and find the shorts a little too snug.
Week one of the season is a time that players, managers and officials start with a clean slate. New law changes are in place at in will be interesting to see how all three handle the new DOGSO law (that’s denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to you and me.
You always get one or two clever-dicks who think they know the rules better than the officials – did you know a player can now be offside inside his own half? It’s definitely worth checking up on all the changes before having a go at the referee. Better still, accept the decision and keep shtum.
MGBSFL Referee’s Secretary Andy Myerson told me he “expects there to be some teething problems” and has advised all clubs to purchase a copy of the new laws. It’s also refreshing to hear that Myerson is keen to “protect the banter that players and referees have and enable them to speak to each other where necessary”. From my experience, this is something quite unique to the Maccabi Leagues and can help with the man-management of matches.
• One can only be impressed by the work of The David Squad following the performance of two leading Israeli tennis starlets at the US Open. Yshai Oliel stunned second seed and Wimbledon runner-up Alex De Minaur in the second round of the Boy’s Singles, while Shelly Krolitsky’s face was a picture after her first-round victory in the Girl’s Singles. Kol hakavod!
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