Beitar Tubruk 0:2 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv

The young Yellow-and-Blue fell to Tubruk in Netanya yesterday afternoon. Maccabi “Shachar”’s counterparts scored an early goal and held off the visitors while scoring a late insurance marker to collect the three point just one week prior to the Tel Aviv Derby next Matchday.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 0:0 Hapoel “Zachi Ben Porat” Tel Aviv

The Tel Aviv Derby that took place at Kiryat Shalom didn’t yield any goals as Ori Uzan’s side will continue to lead the league with a five-point advantage over the Reds with only 9 points left in the bank.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 4:3 Hapoel “Yoram” Rishon Le’Zion

One of the most interesting matches of the day took place at the Under-16 level as Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” looked to get back onto the winning track after falling in the State Cup final. Eliezer Ben Aharon’s side gave up an early goal but a pair of goals by Amit Mordechaev and Junus Gabarin gave the home team the lead at the break. Rishon drew even in the second half but Gil Rachimi and Eyal Ron scored to give the young Yellow-and-Blue the win and a chance to celebrate the league title next Matchday.

Maccabi “Goldscheinfeld” Haifa 0:2 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv

The Under-15 club earned the 2015/16 League Championship after defeating the Haifa Greens away in the Carmel. The team which is co-coached by Amir Sofer and Ran Elias led the whole season and were crowned Champs with three Matchdays left in the season.

Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv – Break

Maccabi “Shachar” visited Netanya to kick off against Beitar Tubruk on Matchday 26 of the Toto League. Idan Yogev and Guy Aviv were unavailable due to injury while Oliel Peretz and Haviv Ohayon were with the First Team leaving the coach a short bench for Saturday afternoon’s matchup.

The young Yellow-and-Blue didn’t start the match off well as they gave up an early goal off of a corner kick after an Amir Shapira foul. Eitan Ratzon headed the ball behind Ozeri to give the hosts a 1:0 lead after less than ten minutes in Netanya. Maccabi maintained possession throughout the half but couldn’t find an equalizer as they went into the break down by one.

Coach Arie made a pair of substitutes to begin the second half as Eylon Almog and Eden Kartzev took Prince Thomas and Mahmoud Awesat’s places on the pitch. However, the match took an aggressive turn and coupled with a tough pitch, the Under-19 side had a rough time finding a goal of their own and allowed the Tubruk players threaten the Yellow-and-Blue goal in search of an insurance marker.

Almog gave Maccabi “Shachar” a bit of hope but his header just went wide of the post while Lazar Durovic came in to play striker but proved to be ineffective. As the match neared the end, Tubruk added to their lead as the contest ended in a disappointing 2:0 loss.

With their State Cup run ended and first place out of reach, the Ziv Arie’s club continued to introduce some of the younger player into the squad. Hen Ozeri started in goal as Haviv Ohayon trained with the senior side while Prince Thomas was also given a Starting XI opportunity against Hapoel Raanana.

Just like the last time these two sides met, Maccabi controlled the tempo of the match but had a tough time breaking through the stingy Raanana defense. Kanichowsky and Awesat both had chances but couldn’t find the back of the goal as the clubs went into the break goalless.

The second half mirrored the first until Yarin Sharabi came charging down the right side of the pitch and crossed the ball to Eden Kartzev who headed the ball off the post and into the Raanana goal. A beauty of a goal and an assist from two players who in fact could still be playing for the Under-17 club as Maccabi picked up the 3-points and the victory.

Beitar Tubruk – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 16:30, Tubruk

Ziv Arie’s charges have put together two wins in a row and will look to add to their streak. On Saturday the Yellow-and-Blue will play away at Tubruk and will try to cement their second place position.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Zachi Ben Porat” Tel Aviv, 09:00, Kiryat Shalom

Derby! Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf’s Under-17 side will host their city rivals in Red. The young Yellow-and-Blue lead their league with a 5-point advantage over the same Hapoel Tel Aviv. A win and Maccabi will be in control with four matches remaining in the season.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Yoram” Rishon Le’Zion, 08:30, Kiryat Shalom

Following a State Cup final loss on Wednesday, Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gady Brumer’s players will look to get back on the winning track as they host Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion at Kiryat Shalom. Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” find themselves in first place with a one point lead and with two matches in hand.

Maccabi “Goldscheinfeld” Haifa – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, 15:00, Nahalal

Ran Elias and Amir Sofer’s club lead their league with the goal of widening that gap when they play Haifa with four matches to go in the season.

Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv – Break

The State Cup tournaments for many age groups continued today, Wednesday as Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Under-12 side defeated Hapoel in the Derby against Hapoel in front of over 1,500 fans at Ramat Gan Stadium. The young Yellow-and-Blue won by a score of 15:5 versus their city rivals in Red.

Kfir Alfonte and Eliran Mizrachi spoke to the Official Club Website following the match: “It was a terrific morning,” Alfonte commented. “We earned this big victory because of our ability to play well on large pitches, it was just great.”

Eliran Mizrachi also discussed the Yellow-and-Blue performance this morning at Ramat Gan: “We played very well and continued on the path we have been on all season long. We made sure to perform exactly how we had to in order to win. At the break we were leading 6:0 and it was important not to take our foot off of the gas.”

For those that may not know, at this age the pitch is divided into 2/8’s and two of these pitches become one. Alfonte explained how he and Mizrachi work together: “Each one of us takes half of the pitch and we are constantly talking between us. This way we know how we can strengthen the defensive or offensive sides.”

Mizrachi also talked about working together: “We have a relationship on and off of the pitch. We put together the starting lineups as well as the general management of the side, it’s just a lot of fun to work with Kfir. Each one of us does what we need to for the club, checking our egos at the door.”

Getting to the final wasn’t easy for the squad, Alfonte said: “We had a difficult draw throughout the tournament. Sometimes you get weak sides, but not in our case. Every team we were drawn against was strong including our own second club. We had a Derby in the final so the road was difficult but sweet. At the end of the day that’s what made this victory so sweet.” Mizrachi added that the children were very excited: “Two years ago this age group made it to the finals and won. The kids were definitely excited and thrilled but we made sure that they focussed just on football and nothing more. They showed how they could play at the most crucial moments of being an athlete.”

Prior to every State Cup final in the youth department, The Charter of Equality and Tolerance is signed by every player, coach and referee. In addition, the Israel Football Association has educational activities outside Ramat Gan Stadium about battling racism and creating equality for all children and adults.

עודד קרני, ההתאחדות לכדורגל (עודד קרני, ההתאחדות לכדורגל)

The Under-19 side will head into the Passover break after playing Maccabi Petach Tikva away following a 1:1 draw at Kiryat Shemona over the weekend. The goal for Maccabi “Shachar” was clear: Get back onto the winning track before the holiday.

Arie made a number of changes to his starting XI as Oliel Peretz continued to be part of the Senior Team and was unavailable for this match. Prince Thomas, Mahmoud Awesat and Eden Kartzev all featured for the young Yellow-and-Blue.

The game opened up in an aggressive manner by both teams as both Idan Yogev and Tomer Altman picked up yellow cards in the early going. There also weren’t very many chances on either Haviv Ohayon and Yonatan Rothschild’s goal, however that changed in the 43rd minute when Maccabi struck first.

Thomas found Gaby Kanichowsky in the box as the midfielder rifled home the ball to make it 1:0 in favor of the Yellow-and-Blue in the 43rd minute just as the two sides headed into the break.

The second half saw Maccabi “Shachar” take a 2:0 lead fairly quickly as Or Dasa scored a fabulous goal from a Kanichowsky cross. The hosts it the lead in the 85th minute on a Tai Beribo goal but the young Yellow-and-Blue were able to hold on to the 2:1 lead and pick up 3 valuable points.

After a dramatic victory last Matchday against Beitar Jerusalem, Ziv Arie’s side headed north to take on Kiryat Shemona. Oliel Peretz was unavailable as he continues to train with the Senior Team while Coach Arie used the same lineup that took on Jerusalem last week.

The game didn’t open up as planned for the Yellow-and-Blue as they gave up an early goal in the 5th minute. Rotem Hatula scored first to give the hosts a quick 1:0 lead. The first half was not one that the Under-19 side would like to remember as Kiryat Shemona had many chances, but were unable to add to their lead.

However, just before halftime, Yarin Sharabi’s free kick found Eylon Almog who scored from in close to draw his side even at 1:1 as the sides headed into the break.

The late first half goal gave the Yellow-and-Blue a good shot in the arm as the second half was all Maccabi with many quality chances on goal. Mahmoud Awesat and Eden Kartzev who just returned from injuries came on as second half substitutes, but Maccabi “Shachar” were unable to find the winning goal as the sides ended in a 1:1 draw.

With the status quo maintained, Maccabi “Shachar” remained in second place for yet another week.

Kiryat Shemona 1:1 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv

The second place Maccabi club played their northern counterparts who are in third place to a 1:1 draw as Eylon Almog scored the lone goal for the Under-19 side. For the full match report CLICK HERE

Hapoel Ramat HaSharon 0:3 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv

Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf’s club picked up an important money time win by defeating Ramat HaSharon away while the second place side lost opening up a five point gap between Maccabi “Oded” and Hapoel Tel Aviv just a week and a half before the two sides face each other. Deslin Ballachio with a brace and Eden Agami scored for the Yellow-and-Blue.

Hapoel Ramat HaSharon 0:0 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv

In an additional match between the two clubs, the Under-16 team ended their game in a goalless draw. Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gady Brumer’s side are in first place with a seven point lead with four Matchdays remaining in the season. Midweek they’ll face Hapoel Akko in State Cup semifinal action.

Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv 2:1 Maccabi “Shay” Netanya

Ran Elias and Amir Sofer’s charges scored a crucial win on Friday by defeating their Sharon counterpart at Kiryat Shalom. Oz Bilui and Amit Yakov scored for the young Yellow-and-Blue.

Kiryat Shemona – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 11:30, Kiryat Shemona

The Under-19 team will look to keep up their winning ways after defeating Beitar Jerusalem last Matchday against the Northern side, whom they beat last round in dramatic fashion. Maccabi finds themselves in second place just three points ahead of Kiryat Shemona in third place.

Ramat HaSharon – Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, 08:30, Ramat HaSharon

With a two point advantage at the top of the table, Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf’s club will look to increase that lead against the club from the Sharon and remain in first place with only five Matchdays remaining in League play.

Ramat HaSharon – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs”, 12:30, Ramat HaSharon

Act two against the Sharon club will take place away as the Under-16 side will look to continue their fine form after defeating Ashkelon last week 5:1.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv will play midweek

Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv – Maccabi Netanya, 09:00, Kiryat Shalom

Ran Elias and Amir Sofer will guide their team against their Netanya counterparts on Friday morning.