01In brief
Matan Hozez is a footballer who has represented Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Haifa, and Hapoel Jerusalem in Israeli domestic competition. He scored a hat-trick in Hapoel Haifa's 4–0 win over Bnei Sakhnin, calling it "the best match of my senior career." He also scored a late winning goal for Hapoel Jerusalem in a 2–1 Capital City derby comeback against Beitar Jerusalem.
02Career
While on loan at Hapoel Haifa from Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hozez scored in a victory over Maccabi Haifa, giving his team what the report described as an insurmountable lead.[3] In another 2019 league match, he scored a hat-trick as Hapoel Haifa defeated Bnei Sakhnin 4–0. His first two goals came one minute apart, and he completed the hat-trick in the 76th minute. Afterward, he called it “the best match of my senior career” and contrasted it with an earlier hat-trick in the Leumit League.[1]
In March 2021, playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv against Kiryat Shmona, Hozez converted an 82nd-minute penalty after Dor Elo brought him down in the box. The goal completed a 2–0 win after Kiryat Shmona had been reduced to ten players.[4]
For the 2023/24 season, Hozez joined Hapoel Jerusalem from Maccabi Tel Aviv as the club strengthened its squad following a campaign that exceeded expectations.[5] In February 2024, he scored the winner in a 2–1 Capital City derby comeback against Beitar Jerusalem. Beitar led 1–0, Idan Dahan equalized in the 88th minute, and Hozez scored three minutes later.[2]
Hozez also contributed in cup and league play for Hapoel Jerusalem. In the Israel State Cup round of 32, Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv remained goalless through 90 minutes before Hozez and Ayano Preda scored in extra time to secure a 2–0 victory.[6] In league play, he converted a 79th-minute penalty to open the scoring in a 2–0 win over Maccabi Petah Tikva; Jelle Duin added the second goal less than ten minutes later.[7]
At the end of the 2024/25 season, Hozez converted another penalty to make the score 4–0 against Hapoel Hadera. Hadera later scored twice, but Hapoel Jerusalem completed a 4–2 victory.[8]
Sources
- 1The Jerusalem Post – Hozez hat-trick vs Bnei Sakhnin (accessed September 17, 2026)
- 2The Jerusalem Post – Capital City derby (accessed September 17, 2026)
- 3The Jerusalem Post – Hapoel Haifa vs Maccabi Haifa (accessed September 17, 2026)
- 4The Jerusalem Post – Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Kiryat Shmona (accessed September 17, 2026)
- 5The Jerusalem Post – Hozez joins Hapoel Jerusalem (accessed September 17, 2026)
- 6The Jerusalem Post – State Cup vs Hapoel Tel Aviv (accessed September 17, 2026)
- 7The Jerusalem Post – vs Maccabi Petah Tikva (accessed September 17, 2026)
- 8The Jerusalem Post – vs Hapoel Hadera 2024/25 (accessed September 17, 2026)
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
Who is Matan Hozez?
Matan Hozez is a footballer who has represented Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Haifa, and Hapoel Jerusalem in Israeli domestic competition.
What happened when Matan Hozez scored a hat-trick against Bnei Sakhnin?
In a 2019 league match, Hozez scored a hat-trick as Hapoel Haifa defeated Bnei Sakhnin 4–0. His first two goals came one minute apart, and he completed the hat-trick in the 76th minute. Afterward, he called it "the best match of my senior career" and contrasted it with an earlier hat-trick in the Leumit League.
How did Matan Hozez win the Capital City derby for Hapoel Jerusalem against Beitar Jerusalem?
In February 2024, Hozez scored a late winner to complete a 2–1 comeback against Beitar Jerusalem. Beitar had led 1–0 before Idan Dahan equalized in the 88th minute, and Hozez scored three minutes later to seal the victory.
How did Matan Hozez contribute to Hapoel Jerusalem's Israel State Cup run?
In the Israel State Cup round of 32, Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv remained goalless through 90 minutes before Hozez and Ayano Preda scored in extra time to secure a 2–0 victory for Hapoel Jerusalem.