Prematch
After a number of victories that moved the young Yellow & Blue up to 3rd place in the Youth Ligat Ha’Al, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv headed south for a clash with SC Ashdod on Matchday 23. Tomer Altman returned to Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI after a lengthy spell out injured. Amit Rosenboim played central defender while Neal Goldberg, Eylon Almog and Dor Galili featured up front.
First Half
Maccabi opened the match controlling the midfield in Ashdod but both sides had problems finding scoring chances early on. In the 25th minute, the referee called for a water break due to the hot weather. Four minutes later, the Yellow & Blue had their first opportunity of the contest when Guy Shetah lifted a ball to Netanel Peretz, but his weak chance was saved by the keeper. As Maccabi “Shachar” continued to maintain possession, it was Ashdod who would strike first in the 44th minute to take a shock lead. The hosts took a free kick from 17 meters out that Omer Kats blocked, however, the rebound went right to Ori Zohar who put the ball into the goal for a 1:0 first half advantage.
Second Half
The young Yellow & Blue pressed for a tying goal right from the get go of the second half and they found it in the 54th minute via Netanel Peretz. Eylon Almog received the ball just to the right of the box and sent it into the area where Peretz was able to find the back of the goal to even the match up at 1:1. Five minutes later Almog almost gave the visitors the lead but the keeper made the stop. In the 69th minute Ashdod went on a break and took the lead when Zohar sent a scorching shot that went off the bar and right to Yoni Sisi who put the ball behind Kats for a 2:1 lead.
Maccabi looked to find the equalizer and almost did just that in the 84th minute when Amit Shapira and Or Dasa combined on a passing play that ended with a chance by the latter that went over the goal. Fadi Najar also had an opportunity to draw the Under-19’s even but the Ashdod keeper made a magnificent save to earn the win.
