After a 3 week break, the Club’s Under-19 team, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv were back to action against Hapoel Raanana on Matchday 4 of the Youth Premier League. Although Maccabi controlled the pace of play throughout the contest, they fell to the top of the table club via a penalty in the 40th minute.

Guy Tzarfati’s side came into the match after a win last Matchday and with a total of 4 points, while their opponent’s were a perfect 3 wins out of 3 games good for 9 points.

The contest began evenly as both sides attempted to play their style of game. After 15 minutes of action Maccabi began taking control of the ball. Eyal Hen had a terrific chance to score when he took a deep ball and tried to pass the keeper but couldn’t get a good chance off from a tough angle. In the 38’ Eylon Almog had a great chance to find the back of the goal after a taking a fine cross from Or Dasa but the keeper made the save. However, just a minute later Raanana received a penalty and Netanel Cohen slotted it home for a 1:0 lead.

Maccabi began pressuring Raanana from the get go of the second half and in the 57’ Tomer Altman’s attempt was blocked by the keeper and the rebound went to Dasa but his shot hit the outside of the goal. Almog and Fadi Najar also had opportunities but couldn’t find the back of the goal. With six minutes left in the match Najar tried to score off of a corner kick but just missed by centimeters as Raanana took the win.

Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Alon Strosberg, Amit Gelzer, Fadi Najar, Tomer Mahlof, Eden Kartzev, Tomer Altman, Netanel Peretz, Or Dasa, Eyal Hen, Eylon Almog

The Club’s Youth Academy has a wide variety of departments with the goal of helping advance and streamline the development of young players. One of those is the Medical Department headed by Snir Konik, who we will get to know a bit more in the article below. On the agenda: the structure of the department, its activities and programs, the importance of the staff’s work along with tips from the head of the department on how to maintain a healthy body and prevent injuries.

There are 2 physiotherapists, a masseuse and paramedic that work alongside Snir Konik so that the department can give optimal attention to each and every player that requires it, whether they are in the South or North Branches or if they are players on the Under-19 or Under-10 or any team at Maccabi. As far as the staff is concerned there is no difference between players and they will do their utmost to get them back on the pitch. The Club has given the coaches and players a mandate that training sessions must be as close as possible to match conditions as the role of the department is to make sure that injured or ill players return to action as strong and as healthy as possible in order to minimize the risk of future injuries.

The medical department provides every player in any age group support whether they are ill or injured and will guide them through proper rehabilitation in order to return to training and game action. The department’s role is also to make sure that a player doesn’t return to soon so that the injury won’t reoccur and ensure that they return to their teams stronger than before and ready to train at a level of intensity that is demanded at every training session. When a player is injured, they are not in their routine training sessions and can only return once they will be able to handle the demands that are expected of them.

Players that are in rehabilitation do so in conjunction with the Sports Science Department headed by Dr. Antonio Dello Iacono and use anthropometric monitoring that gives the following player information including, height, weight and other information that help indicate the injury or stress in order to help find the best possible treatment.

In addition, the Club also puts an emphasis on educating the younger generation as one of the roles of the Medical Department is Medical-Sport education. The goal is to change the players’ approach to injuries and pain (from passive to active), taking care of oneself, preparing the body for training or a match, keeping fit and maintaining a healthy body for the next training session.

The department works in full cooperation with the Senior Team’s Medical Department and when necessary can seek medical advice through the Club in order to give the best and most complete treatment as possible.

The Medical Department for the most part operates behind the scenes. Players and parents are only aware of the department when a player is injured or ill. In reality, there are many issues that need to be solved every day, week and month so that the Club’s medical Department operates to its full potential. Snir Konik, who is in charge of the Medical Department described the tasks at hand: “I go home exhausted every day, but completely satisfied by reaching both my personal and departmental goals with every player as they take another step towards getting back on the pitch.”

Konik also shared information about injury prevention: “You can’t completely prevent injuries. You can divide them into two categories, injuries via contact (trauma) and without contact. A traumatic injury can be from a tackle and it’s very difficult to control and avoid such an injury as it’s part of the match. However, a non-contact injury is a totally different story and these are the types that we want to minimize as much as possible. My advice is that if a player has a doubt about his physical fitness, he should go to the physiotherapist or another medical staff member and openly consult with them. In addition, if you are aware of a certain sensitivity in the body it’s very important to consult the medical staff so that they know how to deal with it and prevent the injury from happening again. Keep your body in the best possible shape because if this is the profession you have chosen you need to respect and care for your body and sleep properly as well.”

Konik continued, “Our body has no spare parts. Take good care of it, appreciate what you do, stay focused and most importantly always be positive. Being positive doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is always perfect but it’s the ability to see the goodness in every situation even though it may not be perfect.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Roie” Raanana, 11:00 Ramle
After a three week break, the Under-19 side is back in action on Matchday 4 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The young Yellow & Blue will host the club from the Sharon who currently sit in first place with 9 out of 9 points.

Maccabi Petah Tikva “Moshe Dayan” – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 08:45 Petah Tikva Synthetic
The Under-16 squad visits Petah Tikva who have 4 wins in 4 games on Matchday 5 as the Yellow & Blue will look to get back onto the winning track after falling to Beitar Jerusalem last Matchday.

Bnei Yehuda “Grundman” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, 08:30 Shechunat HaTikva Synthetic 2
On Matchday 3, the Under-15 South team visits the Shechuna neighborhood after picking up two wins in two matches, while Bnei Yehuda comes into the contest with one win and a loss.

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv – Beitar Ramat Gan, 08:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic
The U15 North side hosts Beitar Ramat Gan on Matchday 3 as they come into the game with two wins in two matches as the visitors have lost both of their contests.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv defeated Bnei Yehuda 1:0 in the Little Derby on Matchday 3 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The victory was the club’s first of the season and the Head Coach Guy Tzarfati spoke about the important win:

“It was a tough match against a difficult opponent. I’m happy about how the players jelled together and worked on the pitch. This was an important away victory that will help us along the way.”

Going forward:

“I know that our club can and needs to play better over longer periods of time during course of the match, to be more dominant and control the game. I believe that this will continue to improve from match to match.”

Prematch
Matchday 3 of the Youth Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al featured Maccabi Tel Aviv play away at Bnei Yehuda after the Yellow & Blue fell last week to Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI included Daniel Peretz in goal along with Alon Strosberg, Amit Glezer, Fadi Najar, Tomer Mahluf, Eden Kartsev, Captain Tomer Altman, Netanel Peretz, Or Dasa, Eyal Hen and Eylon Almog.

First Half
After 3 minutes of action the Yellow & Blue had the first chance of the match as Hen came down the left wing and crossed the ball to Almog, but his header missed the target. Abodalia’s dangerous free kick for the hosts in the ‘18 was saved by Peretz while 6 minutes later the aforementioned Abodalia took a Liel Bitton cross but headed the ball into the post.

In the ‘27 Maccabi took the lead thanks to Almog who took a deep ball from Altman and found the back of the goal from a tough angle for the 1:0 advantage. Four minutes later Altman tried his luck from 30 meters, but his scorcher was saved by Shachar Amsalem and in the ‘39 Bar Sidis was alone in the box but put the ball over the Maccabi goal.

Second Half
The first twenty minutes of the second half was played primarily in the midfield as both squads couldn’t muster up a dangerous chance on either side of the pitch. In the ‘65 Glezer cleared a ball in the box as Bnei Yehuda looked to equalize. Five minutes later Yarden Shoa took a deep pass and went in on a one on one situation against the Yellow & Blue keeper Daniel Peretz, but the Maccabi shot stopper was up to the task to make the stop and keep his clean sheet intact.

In the ‘78 Altman gave Netanel Peretz the ball in the box but his shot went over the bar while four minutes later Bnei Yehuda almost drew even but Sidis was stopped cold by the Maccabi defenders. Almog was free in the box in the ‘90 but his attempt was saved by the Bnei Yehuda keeper as the match ended in a 1:0 Yellow & Blue win.

Prematch
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visited Hapoel “Yehuda” Rishon Le’Zion on Matchday 2 of the Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The young Yellow & Blue came into the contest after a draw last week while the hosts fell in their first match of the season. Maccabi Head Coach Guy Tzarfati opened the contest with Eyal Hen, Netanel Peretz and Eylon Almog up front while Amit and Tamir Glazer anchored the defense as 6 players from 2000 were in the Starting XI.

First Half
Maccabi had the first chance of the contest in the 8th minute when Tomer Altman gave Eyal Hen the ball on the left wing who lifted it into the box, but Prince Thomas’s effort went over the goal.

In the ‘18, Rishon had an attempt off of a free kick that went into the area but the host’s opportunity went out. Two minutes later, the Yellow & Blue almost took the lead as Altman again crossed the ball that was cleared to Hen by the Rishon defenders, but his chance went off of a player and out. Almog had Maccabi’s next attempt but the Rishon keeper made the stop. Eden Kartsev almost found the back of the goal in the ‘24 but the keeper once again made the save on the line.

However, it would be the hosts who would take the lead in the ‘26 thanks to a free kick that mixed up the Yellow & Blue defense as Rishon found the back of the goal for a 1:0 lead. Four minutes later Almog sent a deep pass to Hen on the left side went to the middle and beat the host keeper to draw even at 1:1. Thomas tried to put Maccabi into the lead but his shot was saved by the alert keeper as the sides went into the break knotted up at 1:1.

Second Half
Hen found substitute Mufleh Shalata’s head who sent the ball to Almog but his ‘51 chance was blocked by the Rishon defenders.

Six minutes later Kartsev almost put his side up but the ball hit the post while in the ‘60 Daniel Peretz was in place to save a dangerous chance from 16 meters by the hosts. Both sides traded chances over the next ten minutes with Almog threatening the Rishon goal from in close via his feet and head.

In the ‘82 Kartsev had another wonderful chance from 35 meters but the Rishon keeper made the stop. With the contest winding down it would be hosts who would find the winner in the ‘85 to collect the three points and send the U19’s to their first loss of the season.

Prematch
The Youth Israel Premier League season got underway this Saturday and Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv hosted Beitar Jerusalem on Matchday 1 of the 2017/18 campaign. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI was a combination of veteran players along with new recruits that included Tomer Altman, Eylon Almog, Prince Thomas along with newcomers keeper Daniel Peretz and Amit Glezer.

First Half
Beitar’s first chance came in the ‘5 when Roie Fadida approached the Maccabi goal alone, but defender Noam Cohen was able to send the ball out for a corner kick. In the ’12 Fadida again threatened the Yellow & Blue once again but the striker’s attempt went out.

However, Beitar took the lead in the ’16 when Fadida took a cross from Uriel Fredo and slotted the ball home from in close for a 1:0 lead. Two minutes later Fadida missed a chance to double his side’s lead while in the ’23 Altman had Maccabi’s first chance of the contest when he received a terrific pass from Thomas but his opportunity was saved by the keeper.

In the ’31, Netanel Peretz took a long range attempt but his shot went out. Four minutes later the hosts almost drew even when Thomas handed the ball off to Eyal Hen, but his fine chance just missed the post by centimeters while Eden Kartsev’s attempt hit the post as the young Yellow & Blue attack began to heat up. In the ’42 Hen’s fine cross found Almog but his header was saved by the Beitar keeper as the visitors took a 1:0 advantage into the break.

Second Half
The second half opened well for Maccabi as Altman’s opportunity just went over the goal but finally in the ’52 the hosts tied up the contest. Altman sent a deep ball to Almog who found the corner of the goal to draw the U19’s even at 1:1.

Kartsev tried his luck from long range in the ’55 but his ball went out, while a corner found Thomas but his header also missed the target. Fadida’s ’61 chance went over the bar for Beitar and two minutes later Maccabi was left with 10-men as Ran Vaturi’s reckless tackle earned him a red card. With the match moving into the midfield Maccabi would have one more solid chance to find the winner via Mufleh Shalata in the ’90 who came on as a substitute but the Jerusalem defense cleared the ball from danger and the match ended in a 1:1 draw.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will get the Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al underway this Saturday at the Toto Ramle Stadium at 11:00 when they host Beitar Jerusalem. Just ahead of the opening whistle, the 19-year old captain, Tomer Altman who recently signed a 5 year contract with the club spoke about the upcoming campaign:

How do you feel about beginning the new season?
“I feel great as it’s always fun to begin again anew. This will be my 3rd season with the U19’s and I’m still excited to start the new campaign. We have a lot of good feelings, a lot of desire and we are hungry to get going in league action and get off to a good start.”

How do you feel about the new squad this season?
“We do have a new team and it’s different than last season’s. I believe that we have a good group of players who are continuing with the team from last year such as Fadi Najar, Or Dasa, Ran Vaturi along with Eylon Almog and Eden Kartsev who are veterans. We have also added some players who were born in 2000 and for them it will be their first season with the Under-19 side. The new players are working hard and they all want to learn as many of them won the Double last season with the U17’s and that says a lot about these guys. I’m sure that this will help us achieve success this season and I feel that we can really go far.”

How do you feel about the first match of the season?
“Of course I’m excited. Even though I’ve been with the team for 3 years, I’m still thrilled to get things going and I believe that the players can’t wait as well. We are opening the season against Beitar Jerusalem on live TV and I don’t think that we could have asked for a more challenging contest to begin the campaign. I’m certain that all of the players are coming into this game motivated and ready to go.”

How does it feel to be the Captain of the Under-19 club?
“It’s a huge honor to be the captain of the club and to be its leader. When you are a captain of a team you are very proud and the fact that I am a captain at a big club like Maccabi Tel Aviv makes me even prouder.”

What are your expectations for this season, both personally and for the club?
“I’ll begin by talking about my expectations for the club. A team like Maccabi Tel Aviv always wants to win and take home titles. So I am not embarrassed to say that the goal is to win titles especially since this is my 3rd year with the team and over the past two seasons unfortunately we have not won anything. On a personal level it’s very important for me to win a title in my last season with the U19 side. For myself, as a midfielder who likes to join the attack I want to score some goals and assist on others, more so than in the past two seasons that I was with the squad. The main goal of course is to be able to join the first team and prove that I can be a legitimate player with them.”

The summer break will end next Saturday for the Club’s Under-19 squad as they will begin the 2017/18 season with a date with the newly promoted Beitar “Oren” Jerusalem. For the second straight campaign Guy Tzarfati will be at the helm of Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv.

On Matchday 6 the Yellow & Blue will play a Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv while the following week Maccabi “Shachar” will visit Maccabi Haifa for a tough away clash. A trip up to Kiryat Shemona will end the first round of matches.

The main goal of the U19’s and the Club as a whole will be to continue to help promote players to the senior squad. An example of that took place on Matchday 5 of the Toto Cup when Fadi Najar and Eden Kartsev, both Maccabi “Shachar” players made their first team debuts.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv Roster

Goalkeepers: Daniel Peretz, Roy Man

Defenders: Amit Mordehayov, Amit Glazer, Alon Shtrozberg, Tomer Machluf, Bar Levi, Fadi Najar, Noam Cohen, Moshe Peleg, Ran Vaturi

Midfielders: Ron Zamir, Yoav Hofmayster, Tamir Glezer, Omer Barami, Prince Thomas, Tomer Altman, Eden Kartzev, Netanel Peretz

Strikers: Neil Goldberg, Muflah Shalata, Yones Gabrin, Sahar Barami, Adir Hardon, Hen Eyal, Or Dasa, Eylon Almog

The final day of the Under-19 Club’s Kiev Training Camp bore fruit as the side played well in both friendlies. In the first match Maccabi “Shachar” defeated Shakhtar Donetsk thanks to goals by Eylon Almog, Or Dasa, Eyal Chen and Tomer Altman. Later in the day the squad drew 2:2 after coming back from a 2:0 deficit on strikes by Eyal Chen and Nadav Nidam.

Head Coach Guy Tzarfati summed up the pair of contests: “I’m happy that we had the opportunity to play against two big European clubs and we gained some international experience while putting in a good performance. We were organized and played at a high level. In the two matches we played 3 different age groups and we gave everyone the chance to play at this level and gain experience. All in all it was a very successful training camp and we are happy to now return to Kiryat Shalom as a team and even stronger.”

The Under-19 side departed for their Ukraine training camp about a week ago and defeated Arsenal Kyiv 4:0. The camp continued with very intensive training sessions with the goal of improving and preparing the club for the 2017/18 season. The last day included two matches against strong European opponents, the Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk youth teams. The young Yellow & Blue’s camp was a success that included solid results as as it ended on a high note.