Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv kicked off against Hapoel Haifa on Matchday 21 of the Toto Youth League at Ramle Stadium. Coach Ziv Arie looked to get his side back on the winning track especially with the return of winger Eylon Almog who was at the Under-17 Tournament last weekend. The hosts also looked to avenge the defeat that the Reds handed them last round at Kiryat Chaim by a 2:0 score. First Team coach Peter Bosz and assistant Hendrie Kruzen were also on hand to check out the up and coming Yellow-and-Blue youngsters from the stands.
Ziv Arie’s club had a terrific chance early on in the 3rd minute as Eylon Almog sent a deep pass to Amit Shapira but the midfielder couldn’t find the handle on the ball while Almog himself sent a 13th minute header just wide of the goal.
Maccabi continued pressing to find the first goal of the match and in the 20th minute their efforts almost paid off when Shapira found Gaby Kanichowsky in the box. Kanichowsky deceived the defender but his effort just missed the mark to keep the match goalless. The visitors also had a number of chances and in the 30th minute they would break the deadlock.
Sa’ar Ohayon came out of his goal a bit too far as Haifa captain Maxim Falchenko chipped the ball over the Maccabi keeper to give the away side the 1:0 lead. The young Yellow-and-Blue searched for the equalizer but Almog’s cross to Kanichowsky was smartly intercepted by Haifa keeper Rotem Fadifa as Maccabi went into the break down by one goal.
Or Dasa came on for Lazar Durovic to start the second half for Arie’s club but Maccabi wasn’t able to take advantage of the fresh legs up front as Idan Golan took a deep cross and beat Ohayon from in close to give Haifa a 2:0 advantage in the 57th minute.
Almog cut the lead to 2:1 just four minutes later when the winger headed in the ball to pull the hosts to within striking distance. However, Haifa’s substitute Ido Weir handled a deep ball and beat Ohayon one-on-one in the 74th minute while Rami Khalfo scored in the 88th minute give the visitors a 4:1 win.
