The Under-16 side met Bnei Sakhnin on Matchday 16 of the Israel Youth Premier League. The young Yellow & Blue entered the contest in 2nd place just 3 points off the top of the table while Sakhnin began the day in 6th place.
Starting XI: Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glezer, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer, Omri Ram, Ido Shahar, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Eyal Hen.
First Half
Muhamed Khalila had a half chance in the 8’ when he crossed the ball into the box from the left side but Itzhak made the stop. In the 25’ Maccabi had an opportunity when Guerrero took a through ball but couldn’t control it as it went out. Itzhak then took care of a corner kick from Sakhnin while in the 39’ Tamir Glezer’s header went out. However, in the 42’ Sakhnin took the lead when Itzhak and the Sakhnin striker went for the ball in the box off a corner as it fell to Salah Nagar who out it behind the Yellow & Blue keeper for a 1:0 advantage.
Second Half
In the 49’ Itzhak made a stop for Maccabi and five minutes later Sakhnin had another chance when Muhamed Khalila took a through ball and went one on one with Itzhak but again he was up to the task. Gil Ben Shalosh who had come on a substitute almost drew Maccabi even in the 60’ when he received a ball from Shahar but his chance just skipped by the post. The remainder of the match was played primarily in the midfield as Sakhnin time and time again stymied the Yellow & Blue attack as they took the 1:0 win.
