Despite coming back from a 2-0 deficit, Maccabi Tel Aviv's U19s lost in extra time to Hapoel Rishon Lezion in the last 16 of the U19 State Cup
Much like their senior team counterparts, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s yesterday experienced an unpleasant departure from the prestigious U19 State Cup competition at the final 16 stage. The task for head coach Amir Turgeman's charges was a difficult one, an away tie against a Hapoel Rishon Lezion side they had already lost to twice in the league this season, most recently away. But only in extra time did the lads in yellow finally succumb to their opponents in orange by a score of 4-2. Trailing 2-0 to their hosts, a goal by MTA's Nigerian striker Lanry Kehinde and an own goal by Rishon defender Dor Atiach had brought Maccabi back on level terms and sent the match into extra time. Unfortunately, two more Hapoel goals in that extra time sent Tel Aviv "Shachar" crashing out of the competition for this season's U19 State Cup.
With only three first half minutes gone it was already clear Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" faced an uphill battle. By that time Hapoel's Tomer Shashonker and Daniel Bloomfield had already found the Maccabi net, a 2-0 advantage that left Maccabi to chase the match for the remaining 87 minutes. Striker Lanry Kehinde provided Maccabi's only threat on goal in the first half, while at the other end Maccabi keeper Gal Tuvali made two further saves that prevented "Shachar" from falling even further behind.
Substitutions after the break contributed to a better and more attacking start for Maccabi in the second half. Just past the hour mark one of those substitutes, defender Dean Akafi, sent a high ball to Lanry Kehinde, who headed in for his fourth goal of the season in all competitions. Two minutes later Maccabi were level after a throw-in by defender Shaun Golberg caused a mix-up in the Rishon defence which lead to an own goal by Dor Atiach. Another Maccabi substitute, striker Sagiv Yechezkel, came closest in regulation time to a decider but his shot hit the woodwork and the match went into extra time. But despite having the wind at their backs going into extra time, it was Hapoel Rishon Lezion who got the upper hand and turned the match in their favour. Two goals at the opening of the second half of extra time by Rishon's Shay Biton and Omer Atsili handed Maccabi Tel Aviv a 4-2 defeat and sent them crashing out of the competition at the last 16 stage for the second year running.
This coming Saturday at 12.30pm Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will return to league duties with an away match against Maccabi Petach Tikvah in matchweek 24 of the U19 Premier League.
Line-up: Gal Tuvali, Dudi Aviv, Osher Abu, Daniel Shvarzboim, Shaun Goldberg, Yarden Pinto, Dor Buzaglo, Sharon Ziso, Guy Cohen, Dor Jan, Lanry Kehinde
