Prematch
After yesterday’s match postponement due to the unusually hot weather, Maccabi “Shachar” hosted Hapoel “Robi” Haifa at the Ramle Stadium on Matchday 26 of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al. Amit Shapira and Neal Goldberg started up front for Guy Tzarfati where they would partner with Eylon Almog as the Under-19 side looked to pick up another win after last week’s 3:1 victory.

First Half
Maccabi began the match on the attack and scored just 4 minutes into the contest. A cross from the left side came right to Amit Shapira who in turn handed the ball off to Almog who scored into the far corner from 12 meters out. As the match hit the 16th minute the young Yellow & Blue would already go ahead 2:0 thanks to Almog’s assist on Netanel Peretz’s strike. As Maccabi continued to control the game, the Reds shocked the hosts and cut the lead to 2:1 in the 21st minute as the score remained as is for the rest of the half.

Second Half
The Under-19’s continued to play quality football and almost scored in the 52nd minute as Almog sent Shapira a deep ball but the Hapoel Haifa keeper made the save on a one-on-one chance. As the second half continued on, Tzarfati made a number of substitutions as Ron Zamir, Dor Galili, Mahmoud Awesat and Prince Thomas all came on. In the 71st minute, Kartsev’s free kick from 24 meters almost went into the Haifa goal but again the keeper was up to the task. Tomer Altman sent a marvelous ball to Zamir but the keeper again was able to make the stop. Maccabi “Shachar” continued to pour on the offense but couldn’t find the back of the goal again as the Under-19’s recorded the win and collected the 3 points.