Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv got back to Israel Youth Premier League action on Matchday 11 after a three week break due to National Team activity. The contest against Maccabi Netanya was played at the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom due to the pitch winterization at the Ramle Stadium as the Yellow & Blue entered the match in second place just one point off the top of the table. Netanya began the day in 12th place sporting just two wins so far this season.
Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI included keeper Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Amit Glezer, Alon Shtrozberg, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer, Mufleh Shalata. Nadav NIdam, Rave Assayag, Bar Cohen and Eduardo Guerrero.
First Half
The match began very cautiously as both sides tried to control the pace of play over the first quarter hour with no chances on goal. In the 17’ Nidam sent a through ball into the box to Shalata but the Netanya defender was able to stop the threat.
In the 43’ Maccabi almost grabbed the lead when Nidam took the ball at midfield and took a 20 meter shot that just missed the target as the side’s went into the break goalless.
Second Half
The half began just as the match did with both squad’s not taking any unnecessary chances as the majority of play took place in the midfield. In the 60’ Chilaka sent a through ball to Omri Ram who had come on as a substitute but his attempt towards the goal went into the Netanya defense. Three minutes later, Netanya had their first chance of the clash when Adi Kabha took the ball in the box but Chilaka shut him down while in the 66’ Tal Yagudayev lifted a ball from the left side to Tamir Glezer but his 20 meter attempt went over the goal.
Ido Shahar tried his luck from long distance in the 70’ but his opportunity went out. Finally in the 74’ Maccabi broke the deadlock when Gil Ben Shalosh headed home a pinpoint perfect corner to give the young Yellow & Blue a 1:0 lead. Maccabi almost doubled their lead in the 82’ but Guerrero’s shot missed the target as the host’s wrapped up a 1:0 victory.
