Prematch
After a lengthy break, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv was back in Youth League action as they faced off against Hapoel Beer Sheva. Guy Tzarfati stayed with the same Starting XI from the last young Yellow & Blue contest as they looked to collect three points and move closer to the top of the table.

First Half
Maccabi “Shachar” didn’t get off to the start that they wanted as they gave up an early goal in the 4th minute when they lost the ball leading to a devastating counter attack as Matan Cohen scored to give the hosts a quick 1:0 lead. Tzarfati’s side almost found the equalizer just a few minutes later thanks to Ron Zamir but his chance was blocked by the Beer Sheva keeper.

After 30 minutes, the Under-19’s made their first substitution as Eden Kartzev was introduced in favor of Ran Vaturi and five minutes later they tied up the game on a beauty of a goal. Ron Zamir cut into the box and scored from in close to draw Maccabi “Shachar” even at Wassermil as the score remained as is into the break.

Second Half
Both sides stayed with the same lineups heading in to half number two but soon thereafter Tzarfati brought on Dor Galili and Guy Shetach to try and find a go ahead goal. Netanel Peretz and Shay Golan were also introduced into the fray but the Yellow & Blue were stymied by the Beer Sheva defense and the clubs each picked up one point a piece.

A few hours before the First Team will take on Hapoel Asheklon at the Netanya Stadium, the Under-19 side will get back to action after a break for pitch winterization throughout they Youth Ligat Ha’Al as they will head down to play Hapoel Beer Sheva at Wassermil Stadium at 12:00. The young Yellow & Blue have won three games in a row and want to pick up where they left off.

After a stuttering start to the season, Maccabi “Shachar” find themselves in fourth place and in good form. One of the terrific stats for the side is that they have given up the least goals in the league so far this campaign, allowing only four goals over 8 Matchdays. One of the responsible parties is 18-year old shot stopper Omer Kats who is a familiar face at Kiryat Shalom. Kats spent six seasons at the Club’s Youth Department and following a season away on loan at Ramat HaSharon, has now returned to the services of the Yellow & Blue replacing Haviv Ohayon.

“I know Haviv and he is a great keeper. Maccabi is my home and it wasn’t strange for me to come back to the Club as I know plenty of the players from prior years. I also wasn’t worried to return because I am confident in my abilities. I was in touch with our keeper coach Chen Abdu even when I was on loan as he is like a father for me. I’ve received good feedback from the coaches and my teammates from the beginning of the season and I work with Chen on the parts of my game that needs improvement. I know what my abilities are and what I need to do to help the Club.”

About his loan spell at Ramat HaSharon:

“It was a big change for me and honestly it was vey hard for me to do, but at the end of the day it was an amazing experience and one that was very eye-opening. I was part of the First Team squad for 8 matches plus I was with the Youth Club and we were promoted at the end of the season. It’s very different than Maccabi but it was a lot of fun and I toughened up as well.”

Coming back after a long break and having a tough match right away:

“We prepared very well during the break with a lot of practice matches and training sessions against the First Teams of Hapoel Ramat Gan and Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle which were both at a very high level. We are about to have a run of some pretty difficult games coming up against some tough teams, but I believe you’ll really get to see what we are made of. This Saturday you’ll see that we are ready to go against Hapoel Beer Sheva.”

They say that keepers need to be a bit “crazy”, but you look like someone who breaks that stigma:

“I agree with that. Today, keepers need to really use their head and not just rely on their physical abilities. To just be a “crazy” keeper is just not enough to succeed today.”

Looking ahead to the future:

“I really want to continue my progress and make it to the First Team at Maccabi. I had a chance to train with them and had the privilege to work with Shura, from whom I learnt a lot. Just being able to train with players at the highest level in the country is something totally different. Last season I had the opportunity to practice with Ramat HaSharon’s senior side and you can really feel the differences.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv picked up their third win in a row when they defeated Ashdod 3:0. Guy Tzarfati, the club’s Head Coach looked back at the match and also talked about the current wining streak: “The team is continuing to improve. They understand what they need to do and they also know what is expected of them. If they continue this way they will be able to make the next jump.”

On the last few matches:

“There are some common denominators that we can see over the past few games; we didn’t give up any goals and we played well defensively. We had plenty of opportunities and some were similar situations that we had seen in training. It’s still not what I am expecting but we are continuing to improve slowly but surely.”

How he chooses the Starting XI:

“I believe that at the end of the day the players have to take advantage of the opportunities that they are given. Those who do, will be the ones that will be on the pitch. It’s fairly simple, the players must meet expectations.”

Next match against Hapoel Beer Sheva:

“To me, it doesn’t matter who we are playing against as we won’t make any changes as to how we play and it’s clear what system we use both home or away. It will certainly be a bit tougher against Beer Sheva and I told the team that their game play today wasn’t good enough. I really hope that next match things will look a better.”

About having four players who trained with the First Team last week:

“Going to train with the First Team is a credit to our academy. I’m all for the players having the opportunity to train with them because the First Team is most important.”

Prematch
Matchday Eight of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al saw Maccabi “Shachar” host Ashdod at Kiryat Shalom due to the winterization of the Ramle Stadium pitch. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s club looked to gain more ground on the table leaders after winning two straight matches and replaced Netanel Peretz with Ron Zamir while Ron Gabay also featured in the Starting XI.

First Half
The Yellow & Blue opened the match up very aggressively and their early efforts paid off in the fifth minute. Ron Zamir who was making his first start of the season found Or Dasa with an intelligent pass to beat the Ashdod keeper Roie Beigel from in close to give Maccabi a 1:0 lead.

The Under-19 side continued its fine play and again hit pay dirt in the 15th minute. Amit Rozenboim stole the ball in the middle of the pitch and passed it to Dasa in between two defenders. The winger sent Eylon Almog a pinpoint perfect pass who put the ball right between the keeper’s legs for a 2:0 advantage. The contest calmed down for the balance of the half as the two squads headed in the break with Maccabi holding a two goal lead.

Second Half
The teams made no substitutions at the half as Maccabi “Shachar” were unable to keep up the same pace as they had begun the game with. However, a 60th minute Tomer Altman’s chip to Ron Zamir was headed off of the bar and one minute later Altman’s 20 meter blast was collected by the keeper to keep the score as is.

But it didn’t take much longer for Maccabi to find goal number three as Eylon Almog came flying into the box off of the wing. He passed the ball to Dasa who beat one Ashdod player and handed it off to Mahmoud Awesat who scored for the 3:0 Yellow & Blue lead.

Guy Tzarfati also gave Eden Kartzev, Guy Shteach, Prince Thomas and Bar Galili playing time in the 3:0 win as next week Maccabi “Shachar” will kick off against Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday Nine of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al.

After returning from a successful Youth International break, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will meet SC Ashdod on Saturday at Kiryat Shalom, 11:00. Eden Kartzev will also be rejoining his team after helping the Israel Under-17 National Team advance to the Elite Round recording three victories. The young midfielder plays a very physical game with an extremely hard and accurate shot that has already helped him score a number of goals to date.

Even before playing in the most recent UEFA tournament, Eden Kartzev made a bit of history breaking the all time appearance record for the Israel Under-17 club playing in 22 matches: “I just came back this week from a terrific tournament with the Israel National Team. We reached our goal and I’m back in good shape. I even had the opportunity to return from the International break and train with the First Team. On Saturday I’ll return to the Under-19 squad for a contest against Ashdod. It wasn’t my first or second time with the National Team. It’s a fantastic feeling to put on the Blue & White of the National Team and it’s a lot of fun to see how I’ve been improving. You get seen at these competitions and it’s a terrific stage to continue to advance.”

Being promoted from the Under-16 side to the Under-19 club:

“It’s wasn’t easy for me at the beginning because there were players that were 3-4 years older than me. I didn’t realize where I was at the start but I acclimated and my teammates accepted me with open arms. I’m really happy as to how everything unfolded. Ziv Arie, the coach who brought me to the Under-19’s spoke to me a lot and said that it didn’t matter to him if I was the youngest or the oldest but that he believed in my abilities.”

About being a youngster and playing a very important position:

“It’s fun to play on a club that’s a year older than me as it helps me improve on a personal level and with my team play. It shows that they really rely on me and it’s great. I trained with the First Team this week and that’s another way where you can advance and improve at Maccabi. You see players who you just dream about playing with them and then all of a sudden you’re training with them. Anything and everything can happen. If you’re good in this match or that match, they hear about you and then you make your debut. The sky’s the limit.”

On Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv’s season so far:

“We had a few issues at the beginning of the season because of the change in staff. It took time to get used to Patrick and the rest of the new staff that came in but now we really feel like we are progressing. Maccabi’s goal is to promote as many players as possible to the First Team. To win the championship or cup is a big goal.”

Relationship with his father:

“My father raised me from a very early age and wanted me to go as far as possible. He told me ‘Whatever path you choose go all the way or don’t go at all’. I was able to get to where I am today together with the help of other professionals and I still have plenty to aspire to.”

Other things outside of football:

“I’m very interested in sport behavior, nutrition and proper rest. Maccabi has plenty of professionals that understand these topics and I can learn a lot from them.”

Prematch
Following the International break, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visited the newly promoted Youth League outfit Hapoel Ashkelon on Matchday Seven. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI featured Eylon Almog, Tomer Altman, Fadi Najar and Bar Galili, all of whom just returned from the Under-19 Israel National Team.

First Half
The young Yellow & Blue took control of the match right from the get go as Eylon Almog scored the team’s first goal of the day thanks to a deep pass by Tomer Altman. The striker went one on one against the Ashkelon keeper and put the ball home in the 41st minute for a 1:0 first half lead.

Second Half
Ran Vaturi slotted home Maccabi “Shachar”‘s second goal off of a corner kick and just minutes later Or Dasa joined the fray scoring thanks again to another Altman assist giving the visitors a 3:0 lead.

Almog then put his second strike of the match into the goal thanks to Mahmoud Awesat’s assist and finished off the game with a hat trick slamming home an Awesat rebound for his third of the contest and completing an impressive 5:0 win for his club.