Maccabi's U19s put on a stellar attacking performance to slam eight past Sektzia Nes Tziona without reply. Yonatan Cohen scored four

With the Israeli U19 Premier  League title race with Maccabi Haifa heating up, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" are only too aware that there is no room for mistakes. Today head coach Ziv Arie's charges headed out for a matchweek 10 away fixture against Sektzia Nes Tsiona and placed a huge tick next to an encounter bursting with attacking fervour virtually free of defensive errors. Four goals on either side of the break handed "Shachar" their largest victory so far in the league this season and three valuable and confidence-building points in their race against their northern namesakes, who they will play in matchweek 12.

Maccabi dominated proceedings start to finish and prevented their rivals from even approaching their own goal area, giving keeper Haviv Ohayon a quiet afternoon. The first twenty minutes saw "Shachar" getting closer and closer to their target, but in the 22^nd minute the real goalfest began. Striker Yonatan Cohen scored the first of his four goals from a corner that rolled past team-mate Shaked Azulay into the net. Five minutes later a second corner got a poor clearance and this time Azulay was in no mood to let the chance go begging. His powerful shot made it 0-2 but just nine minutes later "Shachar" were on the scoresheet again when forward Mavis Tchibota tapped in for 0-3. A minute from the half, young international Matan Hozez characteristically curled in with his left foot to the far post and sent his team-mates into the break with a commanding 0-4 lead.

After the restart "Shachar" showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas and the team's fifth was not long in coming. Yonatan Cohen scored his second after stopping the ball at the edge of the Nes Tziona area and smashing it back into the net for 0-5. Substitute striker Raz Yitzhak came close after a handsome personal effort, but "Shachar"'s sixth came just twelve minutes before time. Matan Hozez squared up a splendid ball for substitute Omri Haramati and the midfielder made it 0-6 with his first ever Under-19 goal. Just a minute later Yonatan Cohen scored his third for 0-7 and a minute from time the striker rounded off the scoring with his fourth, simultaneously jumping to the head of the queue of season goalscorers in the U19 Premier League.

Next Saturday Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will host Hapoel Kiryat Shmona at the Kiryat Shalom training ground in Tel Aviv.

Line-up: Haviv Ohayon, Sachar Fiban, Sheked Azulay, Sean Goldberg, Maxim Gretschkin, Gabriel Kanikovski,, Sohil Armeli, Eliel Peretz, Matan Hozez, Mavis Tchibota, Yonatan Cohen.

 

 

 

 

Maccabi's U19s suffered their first season loss 2-1 at Beitar Jerusalem

After a two week international break sitting atop the national U19 Premier League table, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" returned to league duties today in the nation's capital to face Beitar Jerusalem. The Under-19s went into the match unbeaten this season, having recorded six victories and one draw in their first seven league outings. But "Shachar"'s run of seven league matches without loss came to an end today as their hosts beat them 2-1, a result that also knocked them off the top spot of the league. Two goals either side of half time handed Beitar a 2-0 lead going into the final ten minutes of the match, when midfielder Matan Hozez pulled one back for Maccabi from the penalty spot.

As has been customary this season, "Shachar" head coach Ziv Arie's charges made a bright start to the match, placing pressure on the opposition goal from the very early moments. Midfielder Eliel Peretz was the first to set his sights on target, but his deflected effort was cast aside at full stretch by Beitar keeper Tamir Lalo. Fellow midfielder Shaked Azulay, making his first start of the season, also had a go from outside the area but his shot went wide. Maccabi's young Congolese striker, Mavis Tchibota, had a more promising chance, facing the Beitar keeper alone, but once again Lalo rose to the occasion and blocked Tchibota's effort. It was then, against the run of play, that the home side scored, when a clearance of a Beitar corner fell into the path Jerusalem's  Bar Cohen, who sliced the ball past Maccabi keeper Haviv Ohayon. Close to the end of the first period the same Ohayon saved his side from further deficit when he made a decent save from an onrushing Avishai Cohen.

After the restart Maccabi redoubled their efforts to find an equaliser but without any success. Matan Hozez, who came in off the bench at the break, had the first chance of the half when he broke down the left, but his right-footed shot sailed just beyond the post. This was followed in short order by a second Maccabi attack that nearly produced an equaliser. Midfielder Eliel Peretz provided a lovely ball for Yonatan Cohen in the area but the striker's subsequent effort missed the target by a whisker. Ten minutes into the half a moment of controversy arose when Mavis Tchibota believed his effort had crossed the line only to see play waved on. On 63 minutes Beitar doubled their advantage when Bar Shalom scored his second goal on the break. "Shachar" defender Ofek Barzani and Matan Hozez subsequently both saw efforts lifted by the wind onto the crossbar, but with ten minutes left on the clock it was the latter who finally put Maccabi on the scoreboard after successfully converting from the spot. But Beitar held out for the win and Maccabi recorded their first loss of the new season.

Next week "Shachar" will attempt to return to winning ways at home at the Kiryat Shalom training ground when they face Hapoel Beer Sheva.

Line-up: Haviv Ohayon, Guy Aviv, Shachar Fiban, Sheked Azulay, Maxim Gretchkin, Dan Glazer, Eliel Peretz, Sohil Armeli, Mavis Tchibota, Raz Itzhak, Yonatan Cohen.     

Maccabi Tel Aviv and "Educating for Excellence" will continue their collaboration once again in the 2014/15 season

The budding tradition established last year of collaboration between the community engagement activity of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC and the "Educating for Excellence" organisation opened up a new chapter today with a joint practice between Maccabi Youth Division players and children participating in the "Educating for Excellence" programme. Today was the first of a number of trainings planned for the Youth Division's 2014/15 season.

The "Educating for Excellence" organisation strives to create equal educational opportunities by reducing social gaps in Israeli society. The founders of "Educating for Excellence" recognised that children and youth with potential for excellence who live in Israel’s periphery do not have the appropriate support system that would enable them to realise their potential. After often achieving encouraging results in early education, many of them find it difficult to complete secondary school or integrate into society under the weight of economic and social hardships.

The children who participated today in the joint practice at Maccabi's youth training complex live in the nearby underprivileged Tel Aviv neighbourhoods of Kiryat Shalom and Shapira. They are all outstanding pupils whose participation in these joint trainings is designed to provide them with the extra support to spur them on to even greater achievements.   

Representing the Maccabi Youth Division team at the practice were the Under-10 Team South of head coaches Boaz Bracha and Idan Kazinic. After a warm-up, the youngsters were divided into mixed groups that competed in friendly encounters on the complex's artificial pitch. The joint practices are scheduled to continue on a biweekly basis throughout the 2014/15 season.

 

 

Maccabi's U19 international midfielder Matan Hozez scored the winning goal in Israel's first qualifying match for the European Under-19 Championship

Last night Israel's national Under-19 team, boasting three players from the Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" squad, kicked off their European Under-19 Championship qualifying campaign at Netanya's new Municipal Stadium with an important 2-1 victory over Bulgaria. Midfielder and team captain Dan Glazer, defender Guy Aviv and midfielder Matan Hozez, who scored the winning goal for Israel, all started for the Israeli side. Israel are hosting all the matches in Group 8, that besides Bulgaria also includes Sweden and the Ukraine.

After Bulgaria had taken the lead just after the half hour mark through midfielder Veselin Lyubomirov, Ashdod FC midfielder Lior Einbrom equalised from close range just six minutes later. With the two sides still locked in a 1-1 draw ten minutes from time, Maccabi's Matan Hozez charged down the left, cut in towards the area and released a superbly curled right-footed shot that landed in the upper right-hand corner of the net and handed victory to Israel. This was Hozez's fourth international appearance and he maintains his impressive average of one goal per game in international competition.

In the group's other match, Sweden and the Ukraine battled out a 2-2 draw at the Shfayim sports complex near Tel Aviv. Tomorrow (Friday) Israel will continue their campaign against Sweden while Ukraine face Bulgaria. The final group-stage matches will take place on Monday when Israel face the Ukraine and Sweden meet Bulgaria. All of Israel's matches will be played in Netanya and admission is free.   

 

 

Once again this year, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division Football School will be opening their doors to children aged 4 to 16. Register before July 10^th and the first month is on us!

Registration has begun for the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football School South, under the direction of Eliezer Ben Aharon and supervision of Maccabi Youth Division football director Nir Levin. At the school your children will learn the basics of football and the techniques required to prepare the children for professional play at the very highest levels. Activities at the school include training sessions, tournaments and participation in senior team matches in the Premier "Winner" League as presenters of the match ball to the referees at the start of the match. Children with exceptional talents will be included in Maccabi Tel Aviv's Youth Team squads in the leagues for all the various age groups. Our skilled and professional staff of coaches will do all in their power to help your children realise the dream of becoming real professional footballers. Register before July 10^th and the first month is absolutely free!

School hours are Mondays from 5 pm to 7 pm and on Fridays from 2 pm to 4 pm.

For additional information just call Limor at 054-6728067 or 054-6728354

 

 

This weekend, a month after the Under-15s to 19s got started, most of Maccabi's younger Youth Division teams will kick off their 2014/15 season

It's been eight years since a Maccabi Under-19 team opened their season with six consecutive victories, but head coach Ziv Arie's squad will have the opportunity to equal that feat when they face Hapoel Ra'anana away on Saturday at 12pm, with a live broadcast on Israeli sports channel 55. It will, however, be no easy assignment as their opponents have also made a relatively good start to the season with three victories in five outings. A team that have copied the success of Maccabi's Under-19s are the club's Under-16s and their head coach Shlomi Mitelka, who on Saturday will also have an eye on their sixth straight league win when they host municipal neighbours and nationwide U16 League South title rivals Bnei Yehuda at 8.30am at the Kiryat Shalom training ground. Head coach Ayal Tzahi's Under-15s, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Eldad", chasing their third league win in as many matches, will host Hapoel Jerusalem on Saturday at 10.15pm while Erez Belfer's Team 2 will travel to tough opponents Maccabi Netanya at their Shapira ground at 9am.

This weekend sees most of Maccabi Tel Aviv's younger Youth Division teams joining the fray, with head coach Micha Dahan's Under-14 Team North travelling up the coast to Haifa where nationwide U14 League Sharon District rivals Maccabi Nahalal will pose their first challenge. Ori David's Team South play their first nationwide U14 League Central District fixture away at Ironi Ramat Hasharon at 11.45pm. At the same venue at 10am, prior to Team South's kick-off, the club's Under-13 Team North will also face their Ironi Ramat Hasharon counterparts, while Asaf Profeta's Under-13 Team South will host Hapoel Kiryat Ono at Kiryat Shalom's refurbished artificial pitch at 8.30am. Maccabi Tel Aviv "Oz", the club's Under-12 Team South, will also face counterparts from Hapoel Kiryat Ono, but coach Guy Shemesh's lads will play away on Friday at 3.30pm while Adi Somech's Under-12 Team North welcome Ashdod FC at Kiryat Shalom's eastern pitch at 10am. Both of Maccabi's Under-11 teams will open the season on Saturday away, Team North at municipal neighbours Bnei Yehuda at 8.30am and Team South at Beitar Jerusalem in Bayit V'gan at noon.

 

 

 

Raz Yitzhak's goal ten minutes from time saved Maccabi's U19s a point at Ra'anana

Havivng won their first five league games, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s set out today to play Hapoel Ra'anana with a view to extending their perfect season so far. Their opponents were likewise keen on maintaining their good start to the season that has kept them in touch with the top of the U19 Premier League table. The visitors kept up the pressure throughout the match but it was the home side that drew first blood in the second half. Ten minutes from time substitute striker Raz Yitzhak score a deserved equaliser for Maccabi, who despite dropping their first points of the 2014/15 season held on to the top spot in the table.

The home side were the first to attack with intent to surprise keeper Eliad Graf, making his first start of the season in the Maccabi goal, but Ra'anana's Ben Mizdan failed to convert the opportunity. From that point on all traffic headed in one direction, that of ex-Maccabi keeper Omri Glazer. Maccabi Tel Aviv's first chance was taken on the quarter hour mark by midfielder Sohil Armeli, whose powerful shot on the run flew over. Moments later "Shachar"'s Congolese forward Mavis Chibote came closer but Glazer managed to slap the ball away at a stretch. The two adversaries met again close to the end of the first half when Chibote got closer with just Glazer to beat but the result was the same, with the Ra'anana keeper coming off his line to block the effort.

Maccabi head coach Ziv Arie freshened up his attack after the restart by sending on Raz Yitzhak but the first efforts came from long range by striker Yonatan Cohen and midfielder Eliel Peretz. Peretz also received good service from Yitzhak in the area but let the good chance go begging when his finish dribbled wide. And as often happens when the opposition are constantly attacking, Ra'anana produced a rare but effective counter on the hour mark that enabled to another ex-Maccabi player, Sagi Dror, to hand the home side the surprise advantage. It took the visitors another twenty minutes to find an equaliser, with five-time scorer Yonatan Cohen turning provider with his fourth assist for Raz Yitzhak, who shot into an open goal ten minutes from time to draw his side level. Maccabi pressed on to find the winner but ran out of time, recording their first draw of the season after five consecutive victories. Next week Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will host Maccabi Netanya in matchweek 7 of the National U19 Premier League.

Line-up: Eliad Graf, Guy Aviv, Edan Yogev, Shachar Fiban, Maxim Gretchkin, Dan Glazer, Eliel Peretz, Sohil Armeli, Matan Hozez, Mavis Chibote, Yonatan Cohe.

   

Maccabi's U19s score four goals in a match for the third time in the young season, beating Ashdod FC 4-0 to stay top of the league

All in a day's work: A fifth consecutive victory, a fourth league tie scoring four or more goals, a collective goal difference of 19 scored to one reply and the league's brand new top goalscorer. With their matchweek five 4-0 victory over Ashdod FC at the Kiryat Shalom training ground, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" achieved all of the above and maintained their positon atop of the national U19 Premier League into the bargain. As in all of their previous four matches this season, head coach Arie Ziv's charges completely dominated affairs on the pitch and left their rivals chanceless. A first-half goal by striker Jonaton Cohen and a second-half brace by midfielder Sohil Armeli and an additional strike by forward Dor Galili made it the third time this season "Shachar" have won by a scoreline of four goals to nil.

Dressed today in blue, "Shachar" hit the ground running and were already in search of their first goal in the early moments of the match. Jonatan Cohen, who scored braces in both of the previous two matches, led the posse and on 18 minutes converted an excellent pass from defender Guy Aviv to give his side a 1-0 advantage. Moments after scoring his fifth left-footed goal, Cohen decided to diversify and headed a ball that narrowly missed the target. But the barrage of attempts on the Ashdod goal continued with an effort from the edge of the area by midfielder Matan Hozez, saved by the Ashdod keeper, and an additional attempt by fellow midfielder Eliel Peretz. Just before the break striker Mavis Chibote came close with two additional efforts but the half-time scoreboard displayed the same 1-0 Maccabi advantage.

Three minutes after the restart that advantage grew exponentially as "Shachar" once again started brightly and scored twice inside a minute, both times courtesy of Sohil Armeli, who has scored in every match so far this season and with six goals in five matches now sits joint top of the league's goalscorers with Sean Weisman of Maccabi Haifa. That brace and the 3-0 scoreline took whatever wind was left in the sails of the opposition, despite an attempt by Hadar Levi that was saved by "Shachar" keeper Sahar Hason. At the other end, Maccabi substitutes continued the quest to extend the margin: Striker Raz Yitzhak twice came close with a header and an opening at goal but it was Dor Galili who provided the fourth, pouncing on a deflection of a Sohil Armeli free kick.

Matchday 6 will provide Maccabi's Under-19s with a further opportunity to extend their run of excellent form when they travel to Hapoel Ra'anana.