Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv finished their Champions League Youth League campaign and can now focus solely on the domestic league. Currently the Under-19 side is running on all cylinders winning three in a row after defeating Maccabi Petach Tikva 2:0 at home at Ramle Stadium. Ziv Arie summed up the young Yellow-and-Blue’s third straight win:
“I’m not completely satisfied. We controlled the first half but we lost too many balls and gave up to many fouls. We were leading 2:0 in the second half and our lives should have been much easier. We haven’t given up a goal in the past three matches and we are improving, but nonetheless we can do much more, however we’re still in the process of doing so.”
On getting closer to the top of the table:
“The kids are intelligent, they are working hard and are doing what we want them to. A month ago we didn’t talk about heading to the top of the table and we’re not going to do that now. We are a very young team who are still recovering from the Champions League and the player who scored a brace today is in fact an Under-16 aged player. We’re a going from match to match and of course we want to be leading the league. If we continue along this path and continue to improve then there’s no reason why we won’t be there.”
Next week against Raanana:
“Raanana is definitely not an easy match. Their side is almost like the first team and they play a suffocating defense. It won’t be easy and we will prepare all week just like we do for every other match. If we do everything correctly then we will win that game as well.”
Comments about the winter tournament:
“Four of the players weren’t in the starting lineup. Bar Galili wasn’t in our squad and I prayed he would not get injured after playing 90 minutes in all three matches. We made a decision and didn’t want to take a risk. We have a good and balanced squad, not yet at last year’s level but on the way. Amit Shapira started today and was very good as was Lazar Durovic. We have a lots for good players.”
Ran Vaturi helped his side keep a clean sheet and spoke about that and about the number of players that were on the National Team side:
“It’s flattering to have so many representatives on the National Team. While the preparation for this match wasn’t ideal we worked hard to improve, listened to the coach’s instructions and came into the game ready.”
About the amount of matches Bar Galili played:
“Bar Galili is an excellent central defender just as the rest of our squad here at Maccabi and we are doing a lot of good work together. Petach Tikva didn’t come to close up but we came prepared. I’m happy we took the points.”
On the club’s third win in a row:
“You can say we are continuing to gain momentum. We’re not looking at the past but each match one at a time. I’m happy that our development is showing in the results.”
