Prematch
After a number of victories that moved the young Yellow & Blue up to 3rd place in the Youth Ligat Ha’Al, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv headed south for a clash with SC Ashdod on Matchday 23. Tomer Altman returned to Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI after a lengthy spell out injured. Amit Rosenboim played central defender while Neal Goldberg, Eylon Almog and Dor Galili featured up front.

First Half
Maccabi opened the match controlling the midfield in Ashdod but both sides had problems finding scoring chances early on. In the 25th minute, the referee called for a water break due to the hot weather. Four minutes later, the Yellow & Blue had their first opportunity of the contest when Guy Shetah lifted a ball to Netanel Peretz, but his weak chance was saved by the keeper. As Maccabi “Shachar” continued to maintain possession, it was Ashdod who would strike first in the 44th minute to take a shock lead. The hosts took a free kick from 17 meters out that Omer Kats blocked, however, the rebound went right to Ori Zohar who put the ball into the goal for a 1:0 first half advantage.

Second Half
The young Yellow & Blue pressed for a tying goal right from the get go of the second half and they found it in the 54th minute via Netanel Peretz. Eylon Almog received the ball just to the right of the box and sent it into the area where Peretz was able to find the back of the goal to even the match up at 1:1. Five minutes later Almog almost gave the visitors the lead but the keeper made the stop. In the 69th minute Ashdod went on a break and took the lead when Zohar sent a scorching shot that went off the bar and right to Yoni Sisi who put the ball behind Kats for a 2:1 lead.

Maccabi looked to find the equalizer and almost did just that in the 84th minute when Amit Shapira and Or Dasa combined on a passing play that ended with a chance by the latter that went over the goal. Fadi Najar also had an opportunity to draw the Under-19’s even but the Ashdod keeper made a magnificent save to earn the win.

SC Ashdod – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 12:00 Ashdod Stadium
After moving up to third place, Guy Tzarfati’s side will try to extend their winning streak when they visit the port city squad on Matchday 23 of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al. Their opponents are fighting a relegation battle and find themselves just one position above the red line.

Beitar “Oren” Jerusalem – Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, 10:30 Banit Vegan Upper Synthetic Pitch
Eliezer Ben Aharon’s charges hold an 8-point lead atop of the Under-17 table and this Saturday they will look to take another step towards the league title against the 7th place side from the capital city.

Hapoel Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 09:00 Wolfson
The Under-16 team will be playing an important Derby as Head Coach Alon Brumer will look to cut the gap atop the table where they currently are in 3rd place just 6-points away from first.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Ironi “Tzav Pius” Kiryat Gat, Friday 12:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic Pitch
The Under-15 South side will play on Friday at Kiryat Shalom as Ori David’s club currently sits in 4th place.

Hapoel Aliya Kfar Saba – Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv, 08:30 Kfar Saba Synthetic Training Pitch
Amir Sofer’s team will look to get back onto the winning track away at Kfar Saba while the young Yellow & Blue also find themselves in 4th place.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv got back onto the pitch after almost a month off and continued the positive momentum following the Derby win against Hapoel Tel Aviv. The Yellow & Blue defeated Hapoel Ashkelon on Matchday 22 of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al at Ramle Stadium.

The Under-19 controlled the match right from the get go as they almost took the lead in the 17th minute when Eden Kartzev just missed the goal by centimeters. However, Asheklon began moving up the pitch in the second part of the first half but Omer Kats who just came back after being out injured for a lengthy amount of time was up to the task keeping the contest goalless until the break.

Maccabi “Shachar” looked for the first goal of the match as soon as the second half got underway and found it in the 58th minute thanks to Dor Galili’s header. The young Yellow & Blue didn’t let up and picked up another marker in the 69th minute. Eylon Almog knocked in the rebound off of a Neil Goldberg attempt that was initially saved by the visiting keeper. Ashkelon broke up the clean sheet with an 89th minute goal as the match ended in a 2:1 win for Guy Tzarfati’s squad.

With the win, Maccabi “Shachar” moved into 3rd place with 40 points thanks to Maccabi Petah Tikva’s loss to Kiryat Shemona. Next Matchday the Under-19’s will head to Ashdod.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Ashkelon, Ramle 14:00
Guy Tzarfati’s squad return to action after almost a month off. The Under-19 club will look to continue their positive momentum following their 3:2 Derby victory last Matchday.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Eli” Kfar Saba, Kiryat Shalom 10:00
The Under-17 side also gets back onto the pitch and will look to keep their 8 point advantage atop the table against the 4th place team from the Sharon.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Beer Sheva, Kiryat Shalom 10:15
Looking to keep you there fine form, the Under-16’s will try to narrow the gap to first place which stands at 6 points.

Maccabi “Kabilyo” Jaffa – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, Nave Golan 14:30
Ori David’s squad will look to get back onto the winning track after a draw last Matchday against Maccabi Haifa. The 3rd place Yellow & Blue side will take on the 13th place outfit on Saturday.

Maccabi “Goldenshefeld” Haifa – Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv, Nahalal 15:30
The Under-15 North club under the direction of Amir Sofer are in good shape as they look to win their 6th match in a row. In order to do that they’ll have to find their way past the league’s second place side.

Hapoel “Nisanov” Tel Aviv 2:3 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv
The Yellow & Blue picked up the Big Derby win over the Reds in Youth Ligat Ha’Al action. For the Match Report CLICK HERE

Maccabi “Yoel” Haifa 1:2 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv
The Under-19 squad took a big step towards the championship with an away win at the Greens. The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute, but Eliezer Ben Aharon’s players came back with goals by Sa’ar Berami in the 25th minute and Dani Amar in the 43rd minute to open up an 8 point gap atop the table.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 2:2 SC Ashdod “Morris”
Alon Brumer’s squad couldn’t get back onto the winning track as they split the points against Ashdod. The visitors took the lead on two occasions, however, Tashgar Diego and Dan Lugassi scored in the 12th and 44th minutes respectively to draw even after 90 minutes.

Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 0:1 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv
The Under-15 south side squad won their second match in a row as Stav Nachmani scored the lone goal of the contest in the 26th minute to give his club the 3-points.

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv 4:2 Maccabi Barkai
Amir Sofer’s team continued with their torrent goal scoring pace as Yishai Bozorgi, Tal Turgeman, Itay Ben Chimon and Roie Maayan all found the back of the goal to give Maccabi “Ilan” the precious victory.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv picked up a very important win on Saturday in the Youth Ligat Ha’Al.

Guy Tzarfati’s players defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 3:2 in the Big Derby at Wolfson and the Head Coach spoke about the victory as they had to comeback from a 1:0 deficit:

“I believe that this was one of our best football matches of the season. To come into Wolfson and comeback from a 1:0 deficit along with having quality chances and some nice combinations it was beautiful football. I saw the players following match instructions as well and they knew when to be aggressive. They understood the importance of the Derby for Maccabi Tel Aviv. I told them before the match that we aren’t coming home without the three points. I’m happy that we achieved the desired result, but I’m a bit disappointed that we didn’t score 4 or 5 goals.”

System and style of play:

“This season we are playing a certain system, sometimes better than other times. I’m happy that at this point of the season, against a tough opponent in the Derby we were able to show our superiority on the pitch.”

Tzarfati was also part of the Maccabi Youth Department delegation that went to Bergamo, Italy and visited Serie A outfit Atalanta. The Head Coach spoke about the experience:

“I’m happy that Maccabi Tel Aviv sent me along with three other coaches to Italy. We learnt a tremendous amount and we experienced things at a different club. We saw their Youth Club, how they trained and what they do on a day to day basis. You could say that they have years of tradition, however, I believe that we are working in the most modern of ways. They were excited about our presentation and what we do in Israel. Midweek, they also asked that we conduct their children’s training session. We made a great connection and we’re all very happy about it.”

Prematch
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visited Hapoel Tel Aviv on Matchday 21 of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al after defeating Bnei Sakhnin last week away. Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI was similar to last Matchday as Neal Goldberg, Eylon Almog and Dor Galili provided the attack up front.

First Half
Neal Goldberg had an early chance for Maccabi as his 3rd minute long range effort was caught by the keeper. However, it would be Hapoel who would strike first in the 5th minute as Ilay Mosiof found the back of the Yellow & Blue goal for a 1:0 lead. Almog tried to draw his side even in the 10th minute, but his 16 meter effort was blocked for a corner and five minutes later he got even closer when his attempt missed the target by just inches.

But Almog wouldn’t give up and in the 21st minute the Yellow & Blue striker found the equalizer. Amit Rosenboim began the attack with a pass from the right side to Netanel Peretz who left the ball for Almog who made his way into the box and blasted the ball into the goal. Nine minutes later Maccabi almost doubled their output as Rosenboim sent the ball to Goldberg, but the latter just missed the target from close range. The play calmed down over the final quarter hour of the half as the sides went into the break even at 1:1.

Second Half
Kartzev tried his luck in the 49th minute with a scorcher from outside of the box but his effort just scooted by the post while Almog sent a beauty of a ball to Goldberg on the 53rd minute but his sharp angle shot went out. Two minutes later an inspired Almog almost gave his side the lead as his 18-meter screamer was just tipped by the keeper to safety but Kartzev would finally get the second Maccabi strike as his 18-meter special beat the keeper for a 2:1 lead.

Ron Gabbay kept the score as is when he cleared the ball off of the line in the 63rd minute while Tzarfati made a number of substitutes to see if Maccabi could find an insurance marker as Mahmoud Awesat, Ron Zamir and Amit Shapira all entered the fray. As the match hit the 90th minute Awesat’s effort was blocked by the keeper, however, the ball landed up right in front of Galili as he made no mistake and put it home for a 3:1 advantage. Hapoel would pull one goal back, but it would be too little, too late as the young Yellow & Blue would take home the Derby with a 3:2 victory.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv defeated Bnei Sakhnin 2:1 away on Matchday 20 of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati was in Italy with a delegation from the Youth Department who were visiting Serie A outfit Atalanta. Handling his duties on the sidelines were Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen and assistant coach Shaul De-Chukrel.

The young Yellow & Blue opened the match well and controlled the pace over the course of the first half. Prince Thomas started the contest in the midfield and in the 20th minute he gave his side a 1:0 lead by putting the ball behind the Sakhnin keeper. Just before the break the Under-19’s doubled the score as Eylon Almog found the back of the goal for a 2:0 advantage after 45 minutes.

The hosts were able to cut the lead to 2:1, however, Maccabi “Shachar” would not be denied the 3-points as they moved into 4th place with 34 points. The club will now get ready for a Big Derby against Hapoel “Nisonov” Tel Aviv next Matchday.

Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Ron Gabai, Noam Cohen, Nadav Amran, Peled Moshe, Shay Golan, Prince Thomas, Netanel Peretz, Eylon Almog, Neal Goldberg, Dor Galili.