Matchday Five featured the Under-19 side hosting Bnei Sakhnin at the Ramle Stadium after the visitors had asked to change home matches. Maccabi “Shachar” came into the match after a loss last week to Hapoel Raanana and looked to get back on the winning track. Guy Tzarfati started Mahmoud Awesat and Or Dasa on the wings while Eylon Almog played in the hole.
First Half
Both sides didn’t produce many opportunities in the first half as it was quiet early on. Eden Kartzev and Or Dasa tried their luck a number of times, however, Tomer Haran for Sakhnin was in the right place at the right time. Maccabi’s shot stopper Omer Katz also was up to the task as he denied the visitors on two wonderful opportunities.
But Maccabi didn’t want to leave the first half empty handed as Netanel Peretz blasted a shot that went through the Sakhnin defense and into the goal. 1:0 for Maccabi in the 45th minute as the two teams went down to the dressing rooms at the half.
Second Half
Both clubs started the second frame with the same Starting XI and in the 49th minute Omer Katz was called upon to make a brilliant save to keep his team in front. However, in the 66th minute Eden Kartzev committed a foul good for a second yellow card and an automatic ejection from the match. Tzarfati introduced Raani Hamze, Amit Shapira and Dor Galili, but they didn’t stop Osama Halila’s tying goal.
Ron Zamir’s entrance didn’t help either as the sides split the points. Next Matchday the young Yellow & Blue will host the Reds in the Tel Aviv Derby.
