The Under-19 club headed to Ashdod on Matchday 28 of the Israel Youth Premier League in a match that was originally supposed to take place in Saturday but was postponed due to the security situation.
Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI included Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Amit Glezer, Yoav Hofmayster, Dan Lugassi, Tamir Glezer, Mufleh Shalata, Nadav Nidam, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen and Tal Yagudaev.
First Half
Maccabi controlled the pace of play throughout the half but couldn’t create quality chances near the goal as the host’s played a tight defensive line. Ashdod took a 1:0 lead near the end of the half thanks to a Ori Zohar penalty.
Second Half
Maccabi pressed from the get go and in the 77th minute it paid off as Rave Assayag scored and then in the 90th minuted Eduardo Guerrero slammed home a penalty that was called due to a hand ball to grab the 2:1 win.
Tzarfati summed up the match: “The first half was tough and one defensive mistake led to an Ashdod goal. In the second half we really attacked and moved forward looking to score. The substitutes made all of the difference and we recorded a win on a very tough pitch via a comeback. I’m happy as to how the players performed and the desire they showed.”
