Guy Tzarfati has joined the Club’s Youth Department as the Head Coach of the Under-19 side, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv. Tzarfati (37) took his first steps as a footballer in the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department and advanced all the way to the First Team where he won the State Cup.

“We are delighted to welcome Guy Zarfati back to Maccabi Tel Aviv, the club he made his first steps as a player and graduated from the youth department all the way to the first team” said Patrick Van Leeuwen, Maccabi’s
Performance Director. “Guy’s important role as the coach of the U-19 Youth team will be to assist the academy in the development and  education of our young future prospects under the club’s new philosophy so that they could be considered in the future for the first team. We wish him all the best in his new role”. 

Tzarfati expressed his feelings to the Official Website following his appointment: “I’m excited to return to the place where I grew up. From my first steps as an infant, I remember myself being associated with Maccabi Tel Aviv. My father and my two brothers played at Maccabi and were part of title winning teams and part of the Youth Department. My personality was formed in this department and there’s no one happier than me to return home. Now I have the opportunity to give over what I experienced together with the new director of the department, someone who I very much believe in.”

Hapoel “Yehuda” Rishon Le’Zion – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 11:30, Haberfeld

After a disappointing start to the season, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Under-19 Club will look to get onto the winning track, however, their opponent also lost on the first Matchday of the season and will be aiming for a victory as well. Eden Kartzev should be part of the squad after returning from Germany where he was on national team duty with the Israel Under-17 side.

Maccabi “Yehonatan” Netanya – Maccabi “Oded” Te Aviv 10:00, Netanya

The Under-17 team will be back in action this weekend after a number of weeks away due to international tournaments as Eliezer Ben Aharon’s team will play at Maccabi Netanya. The Head Coach spoke about the new campaign: “This year is a very different. Every season is a new year but this will be totally different. The changes that have been made across the Youth Department has also given us a new perception and attitude that came along with Patrick’s arrival. We’re getting used to it and things are looking much better both on and off of the pitch. Our expectations this coming campaign are not exactly graded expectations but more of an agenda to be able to train and help more players reach the Under-19 Club and prepare them for the demands that this side will make on them.”

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Beitar Tel Aviv Ramle 08:30, Kiryat Shalom

Alon Brumer’s Under-16 outfit will also be in action this weekend against their counterparts from Beitar Tel Aviv Ramle. The coach of the Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” commented: “It’s very special and exciting for me to return to the Club that I grew up in and to be part of the process in aiding the younger players hopefully make it up to the First Team. This group is very talented but it’s also a team that is a combination of two Under-15 sides. I remember having to go through this as a player myself and it’s no easy task. Our goal for this team is to help them advance and improve from match to match and of course to be the best that they can be.”

Pre-match:

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv opened up the 2016/17 Toto Youth League campaign at home against Beitar Tubruk. The Starting XI included: Omer Kats, Amit Rozenboim, Noam Cohen, Fadi Najar, Ron Gabay, Shay Golan, Tomer Altman (C) Netanel Peretz, Or Dasa, Almog Eylon, Mahmud Awisat.

First Half:

Five minutes into the contest, Almog Eylon hit Tubruk’s left post from 16 meters out after receiving the ball from Or Dasa and Altman also tried his luck from 20-meters as his effort hit the woodwork. However, it was Tubruk who scored first taking a 1:0 lead as Gal Hassan found the back of the goal from 6-meters taking a deep pass and converting it for the early advantage. Noam Cohen then broke up a Tubruk counter but he picked up the first yellow card of the season.

Maccabi “Shachar” continued to press and in the 21st minute Netanel Peretz missed a wonderful opportunity following a terrific team effort by the young Yellow & Blue as his 10-meter chance just went over the bar. Altman again took the opportunity from long range but his shot flew over the goal. Dasa hit the post five minutes before the half as the sides went into the break with Maccabi down by a goal.

Second Half:

The second half began with no substitutions and the Yellow & Blue continued to put pressure on Tubruk for an equalizer. In the 58th minute Guy Shetach was introduced for Dasa and almost scored after being on the pitch for just two minutes as his free kick was parried away by the Tubruk keeper.

In the 62nd minute Amit Shapira came in for Netanel Peretz and just three minutes later Tubruk was down to 10-men as Eyal Melul was sent off for a hard foul on Amit Rosenboim.

Shetach had an 81st minute opportunity from 15-meters but the Tubruk keeper again made the save while in the 87th minute Awisat came off in favor of Tomas Prince whose 16-meter scorcher just sailed by the post as Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fell 1:0 on Matchday One of the Toto Youth League.