Category: Junior Team

Arie: “We have a big challenge ahead of us”

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Just like the first team, the Under-19 squad is busy preparing for Tuesday’s match against Chelsea. Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will face the defending Champions League Youth League champions Chelsea at the Netanya Stadium, 14:00. Yesterday, the side drew with Beer Sheva in Winner League play and the coach Ziv Arie spoke about the match and also about the challenge against the Blues that lies ahead:

“We’re not happy with the result. We may have to figure out how to win when scoring one goal but then we can’t give any up. I don’t have any complaints about the defense because Beer Sheva had very few chances other than when they scored and we made a mistake. We weren’t aggressive enough in the first half but I was much happier with our second half play.”

About the many missed opportunities the players had Saturday:

“We are still having problems in the last third of the pitch and when we want to complete a play, but we must have patience. We have a lot of new players and it will just take time and patience even though it may be frustrating.”

Coming into the Chelsea match:

“We love different types of matches and each one presents another opportunity to play a certain way. It will not be easy but just like every other match we won’t come to play for a scoreless draw. We will strive to look like a football club that can stand toe to toe and to get a good result, it’s not just pie in the sky. Chelsea is a very talented team and we have a very big challenge ahead of us.”

Arie- “We missed an opportunity”

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Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fell to Porto 2:1 and their coach, Ziv Arie spoke about his players that have picked up one-point so far over four matches.

“I feel like we missed an opportunity today. Even in the second half I gambled a bit by going to a 4-4-2 formation and pushed forward and had a number of chances. We tried to win the match and fight for second place. We deserved some points today. We have 4Z6A6915some issues on the offense side of the ball and we will work on it.”

“We are continuing to learn with time and are becoming more aggressive. We’re very tired so it’s good we have a bit of a break now. I don’t think you can blame the players as they are doing the maximum, they kept pace and are playing solid football. The break now is really important and we will have to practice as well. I believe in practice and we haven’t had a chance to have many recently. We will do everything to improve and work on getting better in the domestic league also.”

The goal scorer Tomer Altman added:

“We kept up with Porto but I feel like we missed a great chance. I felt amazing when the ball went into the goal and I’ve been dreaming of scoring in the competition. But it really doesn’t matter since we lost. There’s no question playing in this tournament is giving us some terrific experience as footballers. We have to keep playing like we have been and concentrate a little more on the small details. I hope that after the break we’ll come back with renewed strength and vigor and win some matches.”

Almog- We all dream of playing at Bloomfield

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Champions League day has already begun. Maccabi “Shachar” had their final training session before their Youth League match against Porto tomorrow at Bloomfield Stadium, 14:00. All fans are invited to check out the next generation of players take on the Dragons free of charge.

Striker Eylon Almog spoke about the will to find the club’s first victory of the competition, advancing to the Elite Round with the Under-17 Israel National Team and also his personal feelings about being one of the younger players on the team: “We’re treating every match in the Champions League as our first, especially since we have yet to win. We’ve got tons of motivation to make sure we can take some points tomorrow at Bloomfield.”

Almog was also part of the Under-17 National Team that participated in the UEFA European Championship qualifying matches recently. Along with another five players from Maccabi’s youth department, the side advanced to the Elite Round: “I went into those games with a bit of concern. Two days before the tournament began I was injured and I thought that I may not be able to play, but thankfully I was ok and I did play in the games. I ended up scoring a brace in our first match against Norway and we won 3:1. Then we lost to France but defeated Northern Ireland 2:1 in the last game where I scored the first goal.”

Even though Almog plays for the Under-17 National Team he is part of the Under-19 Maccabi side. The striker explained his rapid rise in the youth ranks: “It’s not everyday that a player my age will have the chance to play with the older club, but I’m grabbing the opportunity with both hands. I won’t lie, it’s not easy but I’ve got to take things into proportion and not get too excited. I have been with the team since the start of the year and I was part of the training camp that took place in Croatia. I feel that I belong.”

On the opponents that he’s faced so far in the Champions League Youth League: “They are at a very high level. Every player has the physical abilities as a first team player, but I feel that we’ve been able to hold our own so far against both Kiev and Porto. You could really see the difference against Chelsea but we still we’re able to compete with them.”

Tomorrow, Maccabi “Shachar” will play its first match at Bloomfield: “I’m sure that every single player in the youth department dreams of playing at Bloomfield. The fact that we are playing there is motivation enough for our match against Porto tomorrow.”

Maccabi Shachar comes up short 2-0

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The Under-19 team lost its second game in a row in the Winner Youth League falling to Hapoel Haifa away 2:0. Maccabi “Shachar” couldn’t find a way to get back on the winning track as they gave up an early goal in the 17th minute to Saar Fadida.

Coach Ziv Arie was forced to play a make shift lineup due to many players having been called up to play for the first team in the Toto Cup match against Bnei Yehuda this past Wednesday evening. The young Yellow-and-Blue substituted in Or Dasa, Amit Shapira and Mahmoud Alawesat but were unable to find the equalizer giving up a 90th minute goal to Holy Abdala who put the ball past ‘keeper Haviv Ohayon.

Tomorrow, the club will begin preparations for Wednesday when they’ll meet Porto on Matchday Four of the Champions League Youth League. When the teams met two weeks ago Maccabi “Shachar” played well but lost in Portugal 2:0. The location and time of the match will be available in the coming days.

Youth Department Saturday Action – October 31

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Hapoel “Robbie” Haifa – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 11:00, Kiryat Chaim

After a busy week which saw Maccabi “Shachar” face Maccabi Haifa and also have many players called up to the first team for the Toto Cup match against Bnei Yehuda, the young Yellow-and-Blue will look to get back on the wining track against Hapoel Haifa in Kiryat Chaim. Just before Ziv Arie’s fourth place side plays Porto on Wednesday in the Champions League Youth League they’ll look to pick up a win in the Ligat “Winner” Youth League.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Bnei Sakhnin 12:30, Kiryat Shalom Training Facility

After the international break, the Under-17 league returns to action and along with it Maccabi “Oded”. Leon Asraf and Ori Uzan’s club is in first place with a match in hand and on Saturday they’ll host Bnei Sakhnin at Kiryat Shalom and attempt to increase their lead.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Week off

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Danny” Jerusalem, 10:30, Kiryat Shalom

Already on a three match win streak to begin their season, Maccabi “Eldad” will look to keep their run of victories intact and remain in first place as they face Hapoel Jerusalem at home.

Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Raanana, 08:30, Kiryat Shalom Training Facility

Another home match will take place at Kiryat Shalom as Maccabi “Team 2” will host Hapoel Raanana.

Maccabi Shachar loses to Maccabi Haifa 3-2

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Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv hosted Maccabi Haifa this afternoon in the Ligat “TOTO” League at Ramla Stadium and fell to the Greens 3:2 on a 77th minute goal Mohamd Awad. After a mid-week loss to Porto on Matchday Three of the Champions League Youth League,

the Yellow-and-Blue wanted to get back on the winning track against their arch rival. In the 7th minute Tel Aviv had a terrific chance when Tomer Altman stole the ball at midfield passed it to Or Dasa who broke into the box but his shot came up short by nirkeidar-44the goal post. Maccabi would take a 1:0 lead in the 24th minute when Altman’s pinpoint pass was perfectly headed into the Haifa goal by captain Dan Glazer. Just 8 minutes later the the hosts almost doubled their lead on a a Dasa header but this time Haifa ‘keeper Roee Fucs was able to knock the ball away to safety.

Though Maccabi was controlling the flow of the match, Haifa would tie the game up after a mistake by Dasa in the 38th minute. The midfielder sent a pass backwards that was picked off by Mohamd Awad who evened the score at 1:1 forcing coach Ziv Arie to immediately substitute Dasa off in favor of Mahmoud Alawesat.

The second half started with Maccabi making their second substitutionnirkeidar-31 of the match as Shay Golan was introduced in place of Omri Haramati. The Yellow-and-Blue would then take the lead again 2:1 as Gabi Kanichowsky would score from an assist by Alawesat. However, the lead would be short-lived as Idan Yogev’s own goal
would draw the two sides even once again. Arie would then bring in Lazar Durovic, Ran Vaturi and Dor Galili, but Awad would score his second goal of the match in the Yellow-and-Blue box and beat ‘keeper Sahar Ohayon as Maccabi would go down to defeat 3:2.

Yogev: “This is a huge game”

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Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, the youth department’s Under-19 club is currently participating in a historic season as they are the first ever Israeli team to play in the Champions League Youth League. The young Yellow-and-Blue have played in the first round of European matches, taken flights to both Chelsea in London and Porto plus have competed in the domestic league.

On Saturday, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will face Maccabi Haifa “Shmuel” in the Ligat “TOTO” League in one of the great Israeli matches that takes place every season. Ziv Arie’s team landed back in Israel on Wednesday night and the following AQ7A0086day were already preparing for this important home encounter that will take place at the Ramla Municipal Stadium at 12:00. Right before the team had their final training session prior to the match, the club’s central defender Idan Yogev talks about the first round of Champions League games, how the team has improved over the past few months and of course about the upcoming “Classico”:

“We feel that we’ve improved since our first Champions League game,” Yogev said. “Slowly but surely we’re learning about the physical aspects of the European clubs. After three games I can say that we are good enough to battle for one of the group’s playoff spots. Other than the match against Chelsea which is a team that is on a totally different level, we were able to play toe to toe with both Kiev and Porto who are at the same level as we are, except for their offense which is a bit more polished than ours.”

On Saturday’s Classico match:

“I think that Maccabi and Haifa are the clubs who battle year in and year out for the Youth Championship. Last year we took the title and the year before they did. I hope that this year we will win again. We will come into the match sharp and focused in order to take the three points.”

About the start of the domestic league season:

“At the end of the day the team that earns the most points from the beginning of the AQ7A9160year will win the league. Maccabi Haifa is a tough opponent and it won’t be easy against them, but we have to come into the match with confidence. We’re a team that plays in the Champions League and I hope we will show that on the pitch.”

What roles the veteran players have to take in the match:

“The whole team knows that this is a huge game and that we have to win. Myself along with Dan Glazer and Maxim Grechkin give the club quiet and confidence, we don’t go after the other players or pressure them and they know that we are here for them and not just for the match against Haifa.”

On home field advantage:

“We’re hoping that Ramla will be full of Yellow-and-Blue fans. Unfortunately there are less fans that come to Ramla who came to games at Kiryat Shalom and the fans have I understand that Ramla is now our home. In my opinion Ramla is a great place to play especially for a youth team that has a great pitch and plenty of place for the supporters. It’s the Maccabi Under-19 home stadium and I hope that we will see it packed on Saturday.”

Arie: “After UCL we’ll be a stronger team”

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The Under-19 youth side came up short today against Porto 2:0. Maccabi “Shachar” competed valiantly with the Portuguese side at the hosts beautiful training ground just outside of the city. Head Coach Ziv Arie spoke about the match, what made the difference and looked ahead to the upcoming games.

“We’re never happy when we lose. Jordi Cruyff spoke to us and said he was happy as to how the club looked and how we played football. But we’re disappointed and rightfully so. We played against a team at a very high level with excellent players. The first half was better than the second and we controlled the ball and looked more like a team. We weren’t as good in the second half and that was the result of a poor day by some of our midfielders. We will continue on and we showed that we could stand up to this level of competition and it will be much harder for them in Israel.

On giving up an early goal:

We continued to play the same way and had two midfielders playing more defensively to close Porto up. At halftime we said that we could win the game but we didn’t want to go crazy and take a risk because they could punish us if we did. We had some chances but the match ended the way it ended.”

What Arie took from the match:

“I told the players that after December 8th when the Champions League will end we will be a much better and stronger team. After six Champions League matches we will be even more of a team. We will do a rotation with the players going forward and we are looking at the upcoming Haifa match.”

Club captain Dan Glazer spoke about how he saw the match from his point of view:

“This was a match that we played well and one that we could have drawn. At these levels it’s the small things that make the difference. We had a few chances where we could have done a bit better, but we’ll learn from this and continue on.”

How the match began:

“Every match has its differences. The training staff prepared us very well with detailed reports on the players and the team and you could see that we came into the match ready to go. Maybe because of the result they had against Chelsea we weren’t focused at the start but we snapped out of that very quickly by controlling the tempo and we had a number of quality chances. Around the box we weren’t able to get as many good chances as we would have liked.”

On the difference between the Champions League and the Domestic competition:

“In this tournament we are playing against top level central defenders that are out of our league. They are big, fast and physical. Our offensive players are very young and we had a few chances. Against Nes Tziona we had ten opportunities on their goal and we didn’t take advantage of them.”

What came out of the match:

“We will take the actual game play but not the result, we’l take what we learned and use it to take advantage of our opportunities in the next match”

Maccabi Shachar falls to Porto 2-0

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The Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv Under-19 team under head coach Ziv Arie took on its Portuguese counterpart FC Porto on Matchday Three of the UEFA Champions League Youth League as the Yellow-and-Blue fell 2:0. The match was played at the picturesque Centro de Treinos e Formacao Desportiva just outside of Porto under blue skies and a light breeze.

Just six minutes into the game, FC Porto went on a break down the left side of the pitch which resulted in a Ran Vaturi own goal giving the home side a 1:0 lead. However, Maccabi didn’t let up and had a number of quality chances by Tomer Altman and Gavriel Kanichowsky. Bar Galili was booked in the 35th minute and received a yellow card resulting in a close range free kick by Bruno Costa which went into the Maccabi wall as the sides went into halftime with Porto maintaining the 1:0 lead.

Porto controlled the tempo of the second half with Maccabi’s lone solid opportunity coming in the 59th minute on a hard shot by Dor Galili that sailed over the crossbar. Ran Vanturi conceded a foul in the Maccabi box and Porto was rewarded with an 85th minute penalty kick that was scored by Joao Cardoso to put the hosts up 2:0. In two weeks Maccabi will host Porto at Grundman Stadium on Matchday Four.

Altman: “This whole experience is like a dream”

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The Maccabi “Shachar” Under-21 team arrived at midnight last evening in Porto, Portugal and today began preparations for their Matchday Three Champions League Youth League encounter with their counterpart from Porto.

Ziv Arie’s charges will have their final training session at the Porto practice facility where they will also play their game tomorrow at 15:00 Israel Time, 13:00 Portugal time.

Even before landing the coach began preparations by giving the players tactical instructions. When the club landed Tomer Altman talked about where the players are and how this competition will impact his teammates careers as well as the first team right before they face Porto:

“You don’t have to mince words when you discuss a team like Porto as its one of the best clubs in Europe and we are coming into this match the best that we can to play attractive football. This whole experience is like a dream.”

Altman also spoke about Maccabi “Shachar” this season:

“I along with my teammates feel like we are similar to the first team. From a professional standpoint we have two matches a week that also includes flying. This is something from the movies. I’m sure that the Champions League Youth League will help all of the players in the future. There are players that will never have the opportunity to play at this level and even if they do this competition will help them.”