The Under-19 side faced Beitar Tubruk on Matchday 22 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Last time the squad’s met, the Yellow & Blue recorded a 2:0 away win thanks to goals by Rave Assayag and Tal Yagudaev. Maccabi is currently in 2nd place, 3 points off the top of the table leaders Maccabi Petah Tikva.
Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Omer Itzhaki, Amit Glezer, Dan Lugassi, Yoav Hofmayster, Ido Shahar, Mufleh Shalata, Nadav Nidam, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Eyal Hen.
First Half
Tubruk had the first chance of the contest in the 3’ when Torai Siahu crossed the ball from the left to Ari Itzhak but his header went out while two minutes later Hen almost gave Maccabi the lead when he found Cohen in the middle of the box but his shot just skipped by the post.
In the 13’ Shalata tried his luck from outside of the area but his chance went off the Tubruk defense, however, 9 minutes later the visitor’s took a 1:0 lead when Anz Kizailiku scored from close in. The Yellow & Blue took control of the match but couldn’t find the equalizer as the half ended with Maccabi down by a goal.
Second Half
In the 49’ Guerrero received the ball to the left of the box, moved to a more central position and took a shot but the Tubruk keeper was up to the task. Shahar’s 51’ opportunity via a free kick hit the outside netting but 2 minutes later the Yellow & Blue evened up the contest. Itzhak began the play on the left side and crossed a beauty of a ball to Hen who slammed it home, 1:1.
Maccabi continued to control the pace of play over the next quarter hour but couldn’t produce any scoring opportunities. In the 83’ Guerrero sent a through ball to Assayag and tried to hit the far corner of the goal but just missed by inches. The Yellow & Blue took the lead in the 85’ when Dan Lugassi sent a cross from the left to Gil Beh Shalosh who headed it behind the Tubruk keeper for a 2:1 advantage.
However, the visitor’s drew even just two minutes off a header as the match came to an end at 2:2 with each side taking a point.
