The Maccabi Tel Aviv Under-19 team, Maccabi “Shachar” celebrated the league championship following their 3:0 win over Kiryat Shemona at Kiryat Shalom. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s spoke at the celebrations:
“Behind every coach there are parents and children and this is a good opportunity to acknowledge my family’s support. We are a family of Maccabists, from my father to my brother who were here, it’s very exciting to bring the title back to Kiryat Shalom.”

The season:
“There were some rough times at the start of the season but we all had faith. We knew that we had some good players. It was very challenging and I am happy that we had to work hard for the title as it turned the club into something very special. On a very hot day like today against Kiryat Shemona we could win 3:0 after scoring 5 at Maccabi Petah Tikva that tells us that there are players here that are ready for the next level and can play with the first team.”

About the young players:
“One of my tasks other than on the professional and physical side is the mental preparation which I also did as a player. We had many discussions this season and other than the good work they did all year, they had to also show that they can make the jump up a level to the first team at Maccabi Tel Aviv. I believe that if they can do it then they can really make it to the next level.

The Youth Department’s professional staff:
“I think that many people had to eat their hats after this championship. I remember that from the first day I arrived here there was criticism leveled at us. From the way we would do things that came from outside of Israel. The championships won by the Youth Department teams shows that we have a roadmap and patience that is worth a lot. I’m very happy that I came to Maccabi at this moment. They are the ones who are mentoring me and helping me improve as a coach and I think Patrick and Raymond deserve a lot of credit for what’s happening here. I hope this will continue on.”

William Agada, the club’s striker was a mainstay with the team:
“This is an amazing accomplishment. We did great work and we battled. This was a good season. It wasn’t easy but we were able to translate what we did in the training sessions to the matches themselves.”

About his relationship with Tzarfati:
He is like a father to me. He taught me everything and he helped me so much, I’m very satisfied as are my family. I explained to them what is happening here and they are very happy.”

On his future:
“This is an amazing accomplishment but I am not stopping here. I hope I can play even better and continue to improve as a player at the next level.”