Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" suffered their second loss this season, 3-0 away to Hapoel Ramat Hasharon
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" arrived at Youth Premier League newcomers, Hapoel Ramat Hasharon, in an attempt to get their season back on track: Three consecutive wins at the start of the season were followed by a draw and a loss. Unfortunately this Saturday's contest saw the Under-19's lacklustre run of form continue with a second consecutive loss, this time by the score of 3-0. The hosts made life difficult for the Maccabi lads from the opening whistle and by halftime they had posted a 2-0 advantage. Head coach Amir Turgeman's players tried to get back into the game in the second half, but Hapoel Ramat Hasharon afforded them no chances and even added a third goal toward the end of the match.
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" held possession during the first minutes of the game and made several attempts on goal, mostly through midfielder Sharon Ziso and striker Dor Jan. The hosts for their part tried to score with quick attacks and with twenty minutes gone it was only the through the efforts of Maccabi goalkeeper Shlomi Costa that a goal was prevented. But five minutes later even he was unable to save the situation and Hapoel Ramat Hasharon had their first goal on the board. Maccabi tried to respond with two opportunities within a minute, one by defender Dean Akafi and a second by Jan, who shook the goalposts. But with just one minute of play left before halftime it was the hosts who were on the scoreboard once again. Shlomi Costa saved once and got a hand on the deflected effort but was unable to prevent it from getting into the net.
Even before the second goal was scored Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" were down to ten men, as midfielder Dor Peretz was sent off for a second yellow card. So the Under-19s went off at halftime with a double disadvantage.and looked to the second half to prevent their second consecutive loss. Midfielder Guy Cohen and strikers Amit Farhi and Sagiv Yechezkel came on as substitutes in an attempt to breathe new life into the Maccabi attack. But despite the increased pressure the hosts managed once again to beat the Maccabi defence on the counter and score their third goal toward the end of the match. Amir Turgeman's charges failed to find the net in the time remaining and left the pitch with their second consecutive loss, 3-0 to Hapoel Ramat Hasharon.
Next Saturday Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will attempt to recover their form in a home game against Hapoel Rishon Lezion. Owing to a ruling by the Israel Football Association following disturbances at the last Tel Aviv derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv, the match will be played without spectators.
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" lineup: Shlomi Costa, Rotem Buskila, Mantzur Amash, Dor Peretz, Dean Akafi, Daniel Gretz, Itam Shamai, Sharon Ziso, Asaf Madar, Dor Jan
