Katan, Yaniv

Katan is a starting striker for Maccabi Haifa. He is also a member of the Israeli National team and appeared in nine international games (scoring one goal).

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Jan. 27, 1981

Career Highlights:
Amazingly promising throughout his child and youth career, Katan once scored 10 goals in a single game at the youth level. He was the top scorer in several international youth competitions, and starred for the national Olympic and youth teams. By the age of 17, Katan was appearing intermitently for the youth squad and the Maccabi Haifa senior side.

In 1998, top Belgian side Anderlecht were intent on signing Katan immediately after a brief trial at the club. Katan decided not to follow Yossi Benayoun's example of leaving the country at an early age, and signed a long term contract with Haifa instead.

However, Katan's appearances with Haifa have been limited, as the there are a number of high-profile strikers on the team, including Alon Mizrahi. Katan continues to impress when he gets the chance and makes occasional outings for the national team.

Haifa secured national titles in 2000-01 and 2001-02 with the help of some useful Katan goals. In 2002,-03, Katan demonstrated his scoring prowess before Europe's finest in the UEFA Champions League with Haifa. In the first game against Manchester United, Katan scored a graceful goal in the eighth minute, although the Reds did emerge victorious over Haifa, 5-2. Yaniv's performance was also excellent in the 3-0 win over Olympiakos in the second Champions League fixture.

Yaniv scored perhaps the finest goal of his career to date on October 29, 2002, in a game against Manchester United. Katan received the ball, made a stunning turn, and shot the ball in from a 20-yard distance over the goalkeeper's head. The Greens won 3-0 though they did not qualify for the next round. In the final group game, Maccabi qualified for the UEFA Cup as they drew 3-3 vs. Olympiakos. Yaniv Katan scored his third Champions League goal in the 41st minute of the game. Maccabi were knocked out of the UEFA cup by AEK Athens.

Katan had a decent season in 2002-03. He scored 6 goals and made 8 assists, but Maccabi lost the title on the very last day of the season due to goal difference. New coach Roni Levy was a big believer in Yaniv, and started him 27 times in the 2003-04 season. Katan was allowed running space in his natural position of supporting forward, and rewarded his coach with 7 goals and six assists, as Maccabi Haifa won the national title. The forward also played a crucial role in Haifa's European campaign. He scored a goal in the away leg of the first preliminary round against Cwmbran Town of Wales and another in the first leg against Publikum of Slovenia.

Origin:
Israel

Position:
Forward

Physical description:
161 lbs. 6 feet

Career Statistics:
11 caps/ 3 goal

< Previous |  Next >