Looking to improve its attack, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv has brought Nigerian striker Augustine Chidi Kwem in on trial. The Nigerian youngster was born in 1997 and will look to impress the training staff under the direction of coach Ziv Arie with the goal to improve the team’s attack.

Every Under-19 club is permitted to have one foreign player on its squad and with Lazar Durovic recently leaving the club, the Yellow-and-Blue now have a place available on the team.

On Matchday 14 of the TOTO League, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv played a home match against Hapoel “Yehuda” Rishon Le’Zion at the Ramle Stadium that ended scoreless. The Yellow-and-Blue came into the game missing a fair number of players including Dan Glazer and Muhamed Awesat (injury), Gaby Kanichowsky (suspension) Eylon Almog and Eden Kartzev (Under-17 National Team) while Gili Landau manned the sidelines as head coach Ziv Arie also served a suspension handed down by the Israel Football Association due to actions during the Derby.

Maccabi had an early opportunity in the fifth minute of play as Amit Shapira led a counterattack giving the ball off to Guy Aviv on the right flank who crossed it to Or Dasa in the box. However, his header was cleanly saved by the Rishon Le’Zion keeper. The Yellow-and-Blue patiently continued controlling possession throughout the first half as well as throughout the majority of the match.

Tomer Altman stood out in place of the injured Dan Glazer taking his responsibilities in the midfield. In the 14th minute the midfielder sent an excellent deep pass to Dasa on the right side. The striker perfectly handed the ball off to Meshata but number 7 lost it under his foot. Amit Shapira was close to scoring after receiving and unbelievable ball from Amit Rosenboim but his effort was again saved by the Rishon keeper as the teams headed into the break.

Gili Landau, coaching the game in place of the suspended Ziv Arie made two substitutions bringing in Oliel Peretz who just returned on loan from Beitar Tel Aviv/Ramle and Ran Vaturi who came in for Idan Yogev and Ofri Meshata. In the 60th minute, three more substitutions were brought on as Omri Haramati, Rany Hamzey and Bar Galili were all introduced.

Peretz took a long pass from Haramati in the 60th minute and took a scorcher of a shot, however the Rishon keeper was in the right place yet again. Very few chances occurred during the balance of the match as the game ended in a goalless draw with the clubs splitting the points. During the course of the half Altman, Haramati and Peretz all received yellow cards.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion, 12:00 Ramle

 The Maccabi Under-19 side will look to get back to their winning ways this Saturday when they host the wine city’s team. After falling in the Derby, Ziv Arie’s club will attempt to close the gap just before the last game of the Toto League’s first round.

 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Off

 Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 10:30 Superland Rishon Le’Zion

 Following an important win over Ashdod last week, the young Yellow-and-Blue will aim to continue their good form, this time against their counterparts from Rishon Le’Zion. Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gady Brumer’s side lead the league after 13 Matchdays and will face the Oranges who are in 5th place.

 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Gould-Shenfeld” Haifa, 12:15 Kiryat Shalom

 After winning their Derby match last game, Erez Belfer’s team will look for another win and keep their positive momentum going to further cement their first place position.

 Beitar “Oren” Tubruk – Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv, 12:15 Tubruk

 Ran Elias and his Maccabi Under-15 team face a tough test this coming week against Tubruk. Maccabi currently sits in first place, with their goal to stay there until the end of the campaign.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 0:1 Hapoel “Nisanov” Tel Aviv

A pair of derbies took place in the Maccabi youth department with the Under-19 side taking center stage. The visitors controlled the tempo and flow of the match but neither side could get quality scoring chances throughout the game. The Yellow-and-Blue were hit by some bad luck late in the match when the referee awarded the Reds a penalty on a foul that looked to have occurred outside of the box. Raz Nachmias scored for Hapoel to win the match 1:0.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 4:1 Hapoel Raanana

It’s been hard to stop Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf’s team this season. The young Yellow-and-Blue couldn’t find a way past the visitors from Raanana in the first half but didn’t have any problems finding the goal in the second. Neil Goldberg scored first and Netanel Malka picked up a brace for the hosts. Raanana tried to cut the lead but Afek Blass put the final stamp on the game giving Maccabi “Oded” a six point lead atop of the table.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 2:0 SC Ashdod “Morris”

Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gady Brumer’s side kicked off against Ashdod in a top of the table clash at Kiryat Shalom. Saar Sa’adon scored a brace for the Yellow-and-Blue with one goal coming just before the break and the second in the 70th minute.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 5:2 Hapoel “Rami” Tel Aviv

In an additional Derby match, Erez Belfer’s side dominated Hapoel Tel Aviv on the way to a big victory but it was the Reds who struck first at Kiryat Shalom. However, goals by Tashgar Dego, Osher Davida and Ido Shachar gave Maccabi the lead. Hapoel tried to comeback scoring in the 60th minute to close the gap to 3:2 but the Under-15 side got another goal by Dego to compete his brace while Raava Assayag added another strike in the victory.

Maccabi “Shay” Netanya 0:3 Maccabi “Team 2”

Maccabi’s second Under-15 team under the tutelage of Ran Elias visited their Netanaya counterparts in a Saturday afternoon affair. Elad Bracha and Omer Itzhak scored for the Yellow-and-Blue in the first half and Amit Yaakov scored early on in the second half to pick up the win.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fell 1:0 to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Derby match at Wolfson in a game that wasn’t played at the highest of levels by both sides. The Reds were awarded a controversial 90th minute penalty as the foul in question looked to have occurred outside of the box. Nachmias scored for Hapoel to win the match.

Maccabi’s opening opportunity came early on in the 3rd minute when Gaby Kanichowsky brought down a beautiful ball with the help of his chest right to Maxim Grechkin, but his chance went over the bar. Hapoel also had a quality chance to take the lead, but Yellow-and-Blue keeper Haviv Ohayon was in the right place to make the save off of Roy Meilika’s shot. The half ended with few opportunities by either side as the clubs went into the break tied at 0:0.

Coach Ziv Arie made no changes to begin the second half and within the first five minutes both teams had a chance on goal. In the 65th minute, Maccabi made three substitutions and brought on Guy Aviv who just returned to the Under-19 team, Yarin Sharabi who was promoted from the Under-17 side and Bar Galili.

As the match neared its end, Eylon Almog gave Maccabi their best chance to score but his effort just missed the goal. Then in the 90th minute Hapoel were awarded a penalty for a foul that looked to have happened outside of the box. Raz Nachmias stepped up to take the spot kick and scored from 11 meters giving the Reds the Derby victory and the 3-points.

This Saturday, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv faces it’s city rival Hapoel when they visit the Wolfson Training Center on Matchday 13 of the Toto Youth League. Ziv Arie’s Yellow-and-Blue side are ahead of the Reds by two points and sit in second place on the table.

Many players on this year’s squad haven’t experienced an Under-19 Derby, however, Gaby Kanichowsky is someone who can describe the feelings one experiences playing in this type of match-up: “From the team’s perspective you have to look at this as just another game, but there’s no question that a Derby is a totally different experience. The fact is that last year we lost two Derbies and the atmosphere, the feelings and the pressure before one of these games you could say is as close as it comes to a First Team match. Even more than the Champions League Youth League matches.”

Kanichowsky, who is playing for the youth team and has trained with the First Team had a major learning curve this season: “First off, the season began with the Champions League Youth League which in itself is a totally different experience. We knew we wouldn’t go very far in the tournament as it was our first time in the competition along with our side being fairly young. From a personal standpoint, I learnt a tremendous amount and having had the opportunity to train with the First Team was very important. Playing in the Toto Cup gave me thirst for more.”

Only 18 years of age, Kanichowsky didn’t deny that the transition to train with the First Team was tough: “At the beginning, training with the First Team and playing with the youth side was difficult. I had problems with my self confidence when I was with the big team and that affected my play on Saturday. With time, I realized that it didn’t make a difference where I played and that I had to give 100%. After a couple of games, I was able to make the transition. The First Team players really supported me when I made mistakes, they would explain what to do, where to go on the pitch and that really helped me.”

The midfielder has scored two goals this season, also discussed the Maccabi “Shachar” year so far: “We’re on the right path. We have had some ups and downs all year and we really want to leave a mark on the Derby, that we are a team fighting for the league title. This season has been more difficult and challenging, but we have a young team that wants to continue to learn.”

Hapoel “Nisanov” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 12:00, Wolfson Facility

The big Derby returns to the Toto Youth League as Ziv Arie’s Yellow-and-Blue will kickoff against their city rivals and face Shlomi Mitelka who just last year was a coach in Maccabi’s Youth Department. After defeating Tubruk last week, the Yellow-and-Blue will be looking for an additional 3-points against the Reds that will get them closer to the top of the table.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Raanana, 09:00, Kiryat Shalom Training Facility

Maccabi “Oded” who took the victory in their Derby match last week are getting ready to take on Raanana on Matchday 13 of the Under-17 League. Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf’s side is atop the table and will attempt to extend their lead this Saturday.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – SC “Morris” Ashdod, 08:30, Kiryat Shalom

We’ve got a top of the table clash in Under-16 action this week. The teams are tied on points and a win in this game will give the advantage to one of the two sides. Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gady Brumer’s team will be up early Saturday morning for their 08:30 start time in this crucial game.

Hapoel “Rami” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, 10:20, Wolfson Training Facility

Erez Belfer’s team will also be playing in a Derby at Wolfson on Saturday as both teams share first place and they are even on points. The club will be looking for the victory and the chance to open up an important 3-point advantage at the top of the table.

Maccabi “Shay” Netanya – Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv, 16:15, Shapira, Netanya

The young Yellow-and-Blue of Ran Elias will visit Netanya to try and continue their fine form after winning their State Cup match last week.

This coming Saturday the First Team will be getting ready for the Israeli Classico against Haifa on Sunday, but the fans can get their football fill on Saturday when the youth team, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visits the Wolfson Training Facility to take on Hapoel Tel Aviv in a Derby matchup at 12:00.

Ziv Arie’s side has already experienced many types of games and his team knows exactly what the importance of this week’s Derby is: “Every coach including myself likes to say the the Derby is just another game, but it isn’t just any other match. It may not be the First Team but nonetheless it’s still a Derby. There won’t be much difference in the preparations other than we will focus on Hapoel. Last year we took two big hits from the Derbies and it’s still on my mind. I’m positive the players will come into the match full force and whoever will concentrate on the small details will win.”

Arie’s team is still a way off from where he would like to see it: “I can’t deny that we may not be fighting for the title right now, which is something that the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth clubs always aim for. It sounds like a cliche but we are a young team and things take time, perhaps even longer than we thought. We had a nice winning streak that was broken by Raanana and this past Saturday we had a good win against Tobruk where we played much better, especially in the first half. We controlled the ball well and had a number of chances, but it still wasn’t an easy win. This may continue until our youngsters upfront improve game by game.”

Head Coach Ziv Arie started 3 central defenders as Bar Galili who had played all three matches for the Israel National Team in the winter tournament, joined Nadav Amran and Ran Vaturi in the back.Ofri Mashta also made his first start for the Yellow-and-Blue.

The first half came down to tactics with Maccabi controlling the ball for the majority of the opening 45 minutes but couldn’t find a way to break through the stingy Raanana defense. In fact the hosts came closer to scoring when their effort went off of the Maccabi goal post and out to keep the match goalless at the break.

Arie made a pair of substitutions to open the second half with Eylon Almog and Or Dasa entering the match in place of Nadav Amran and Ofri Mashta. Eleven minutes into the second frame Omri Altman had a chance for the visitors, however the Raanana keeper was in place to make the save.

Omer Sade gave the hosts a 1:0 lead in the 60th minute beating Haviv Ohayon in the box. Six minutes later Arie made an additional substitution introducing Dor Galili for Ran Vaturi looking for the equalizer. But in the 83rd minute Bakary Sanyang doubled the Raanana lead capitalizing on a Maccabi defensive error as the hosts collected the 3-points and the 2:0 win.

 Hapoel “Roie” Raanana 2:0 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv

Following three straight victories, Ziv Arie’s side visited Hapoel Raanana and fell 2:0 to the Sharon club. The Yellow-and-Blue gave up an early second half goal and an additional goal later in the half in the 2:0 loss.

Hapoel “Tzachi” Tel Aviv 1:3 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv

Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf’s side took part in a Tel Aviv Derby at the Wolfson training facility and by half time already led 3:0. A 33rd minute goal by Neil Goldberg, a 35th minute strike by Ron Zamir and a 38th minute goal by Netanel Peretz sewed up the victory within a five minute period. With the win, Maccabi “Oded” still remains atop the Under-17 table.

Hapoel “Emmanuel” Petach Tikva 0:3 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv

The Under-16 team played away at Sirkin in Petach Tikva and impressed with a 3:0 shutout victory. Yunes Garabin, Idan Zioni and Eyal Chen scored for the young Yellow-and-Blue as the side is tied on points for first place with S.C. Ashdod, but have a better goal differential by almost double.

Beitar “Gady” Jerusalem 1:1 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv

Erez Belfer’s club was unable to continue the streak of wins that began at the start of the season, drawing against the capital city side at Bayit Vegan. Gil Ben Shalosh scored for Maccabi to earn his side a point.

Maccabi “Hadar” Herzliya 0:5 Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv

Maccabi’s second Under-15 team continued its fine form with a 5:0 win in Herzliya. Goal scorers for Ran Elias’s team included Elad Bracha, Dan Lugassi, Oz Biluy and Guy Mizrachi with a brace.