Maccabi-Hakoah shine in Easts major semi-final

Maccabi Hakoah FC’s men’s division 2 side have booked their place in the Eastern Suburbs Football Association 2026 grand finals by winning a major semi final 2-1 last Saturday at Coral Sea Park against Maroubra United.

As Maroubra had pipped them for the minor premiership on net goal difference – after Maccabi were upset by a lowly ranked team in the last regular season game – the men in sky blue had a point to prove against them.

But the semi-final did not start well for Maccabi, as a defensive error resulted in a simple goal by Maroubra in the first 10 minutes.

To their credit, the Maccabi lads were determined to fight back against a physical and well-trained opponent.

After applying some sustained pressure in attacking raids approaching half-time, Maccabi scored an equaliser through a whole team effort, which started from a kick by keeper Adin Ephraim, continued with passes and fast running down the left flank, and finished when Joel Epshteyn slammed the ball into the back of the net.