Israel's U19s, bolstered by six young Maccabi stars, reached the final of the International Chela Tournament in Serbia

Israel's Under-19s finished second at the prestigious international Chela tournament, held annually in Serbia, with six nations participating in the competition: Ukraine, Belguim, Hungary, Israel and hosts Serbia. Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" sent six young stars to the tournament, more than any other club in Israel: Goalkeeper Sahar Hason, defenders Idan Yogev and Guy Aviv, midfielders Dan Glazer and Matan Hozez and striker Stav Ben Aharon. Israel's opening match saw them outclass Belguim 3-0, when Maccabi's Matan Hozez came off the bench and added an individual effort five minutes from time to a brace by Hapoel Tel Aviv 's Or Hasidim. In addition to substitutes Hozez and Idan Yogev, four "Shachar" stars appeared in the first eleven: Sahar Hason, Guy Aviv, Dan Glazer and Stav Ben Aharon.

The Under-19s repeated the 3-0 scoreline in their second game against Hungary, with Matan Hozez once again coming off the bench to score seven minutes after the restart. Maccabi's Idan Yogev was also given a second half call-up and scored the team's final goal. In between Hapoel Tel Aviv's Or Hasidim scored his third goal of the tournament in a game that saw Guy Aviv, Dan Glazer and Stav Ben Aharon all in the starting eleven.

In the final Israel's opponents were hosts Serbia, and this time Matan Hozez not only started but scored Israel's go-ahead goal on the half hour. In the second half though Israel conceded twice to lose the contest 2-1 and finish in second place. Dan Glazer was also in the first eleven, with Idan Yogev coming on as a substitute.

 

 

Maccabi's Under-19s kicked off their 14/15 league season with a huge 4-0 win over Hapoel Rishon Lezion, with four different young stars finding the net

Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" got their 2014/15 season U19 Premier League campaign off to a positive start with an impressive 4-0 home win over Hapoel Rishon Lezion. Due to registration and authorisation difficulties the match was moved from the Kiryat Shalom training ground to the municipal stadium in Holon, but the charges of second year head coach Ziv Arie were clearly unaffected by the change in venue. Ten of the starting eleven young stars were veterans from last year's Under-19 squad, with striker Stav Ben Aharon, who joined this summer from Maccabi Haifa, the only newcomer.

"Shachar", untroubled by the hot weather, wasted no time on testing the waters and went straight into attack that produced the first goal. Just past the quarter hour mark striker Raz Itzhak latched on to a long ball from midfielder Eliel Peretz in the area and with his left foot struck swiftly past the Rishon keeper to record the team's first goal of the 2014/15 league season. Afterwards midfielder Matan Hozez, just returned from a successful international tournament with Israel's Under-19s, missed a chance to double the advantage when he found himself alone facing the opposition goal but the Rishon keeper kept him out. At the other end Maccabi keeper Sahar Hason faced a similar challenge and his success prevented an equaliser before the interval.

"Shachar" opened the second half much as they did the first, swiftly attacking inside the rival's half. Congolese striker Mavis Chibote came off the bench and quickly back-heeled to newcomer Stav Ben Aharon who came close to scoring Maccabi's second. Midfielder Sohil Armeli followed with a long drive that hit both posts, but it was Chibote who finally added to "Shachar"'s tally when he capped a fine personal run with a shot into the upper part of the Rishon net. Maccabi continued to press and after striker Yonatan Cohen hit the post with a corner he assisted Eliel Peretz in poking in the third "Shachar" goal seven minutes from time. Yonatan Cohen also had a hand in the team's fourth as midfielder Sohil Armeli finished off the scoring five minutes later after some classy team play.

In matchweek 2 next Saturday Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will be hosted by Maccabi Petach Tikva 

Shachar Fiban and Dan Glazer are two young Maccabi stars preparing for the new season with the U19s: "The door to the senior squad is wide open"

Not far from the bright lights of the Israeli Premier League, the 2014/15 season for the Under-19s will also be kicking off this weekend when on Saturday at 11am Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" host Hapoel Rishon Lezion at the municipal stadium in Holon. Head coach Ziv Arie's lads have already had an impressive pre-season, winning an international tournament that was held last month in Holland. "We'll have a team that will continue the work we've already started", began young midfielder Dan Glazer, who'll be captaining the side. "That means pushing the lads forward. Of course we'll be wanting to win a few titles as well, and every match if possible. But first and foremost the Under-19s are there to get players to the first team".

Defender Shachar Fiban, one of the team's "veterans", picked up where the team skipper left off: "We're a very tactical side, moving the ball patiently, calmly advancing the game, a team that want to succeed doing it their own way according to what the coach calls for, in addition to winning titles of course.  Our players are older this year, they've had more experience in the U19 Premier League, and that should help us a lot". Fiban is in the class of '95 and as such is one of the "exceptionals" in a side composed mostly of the class of '96 in their second season at the Under-19s. "I think this year should be easier in terms of team cohesion than last year when we had so many changes in the squad. Last season we really were a new team altogether, mostly from the class of '96, and they were new in the Under-19s. This season the squad is mostly settled but the guys are more mature and they make up most of the side and can help the younger lads work themselves into the team".

At the beginning of this season the members of the U19 squad already saw a number of their team-mates being given run-outs in the senior squad – Sean Goldberg, Dor Peretz, Guy Aviv and even Dan Glazer have already seen first team action. For the younger players this serves as inspiration to aspire to a fixed position on the country's championship squad: "Maccabi Tel Aviv are not just any football club", said Dan Glazer, who took to the pitch for the seniors for the first time in the club's "Toto" (League) Cup tie against Maccabi Netanya. "In the Premier League Maccabi Tel Aviv have the highest ambitions for success so it's kind of hard to make the cut. Having said that we definitely feel that all the doors are open. The first team coaching staff come specially to see us train, they know our abilities and what our strengths and weaknesses are. If we carry on working hard and the Youth Division staff continue to help us improve then we can make it, and that would be like a dream come true. And seeing Sean and Dor play for the seniors, that just proves my case".

Fiban again has a word to add: "The club are run like a European outfit , even where promoting the young players is concerned. Each of us feels we're getting better, me too, compared to when I started in the Under-19s. Of course you don't get to the seniors automatically, you have to take it step by step. But I think for an Under-19, Maccabi Tel Aviv are the best club to grow and develop and improve in".

"Improve and win titles", Glazer adds. "The staff work with you personally on the pitch and at practices. They'll come say half an hour early to work with the strikers or on tactics with certain players. Of course like with any club the first thing you want to do is win, take the title and make the fans and the coaches happy. We know if we win titles and look good on the pitch the senior staff will notice it and that'll help us make the climb".

Fiban was made to feel part of the first team when he joined them for the summer pre-season training camp in Austria: "I matured a lot at that camp. To get up in the morning and have breakfast with senior players like Eytan Tibi, ask him questions and get advice before and after training from Sheran Yeini or Carlos Garcia and learn from them. These are guys who've had lots of experience on the senior team, won titles and played for young Israel or Spain. I learnt at least three things from each of them, either technical things or about their character or practical things on the pitch and that's definitely made me a better player".

Dan Glazer, who'll be celebrating his 18^th birthday next week, will be the Under-19 captain this season, something he'll not be taking for granted: "It's a great commitment and responsibility to be captain at Maccabi Tel Aviv, and great fun as well. I've been with (coach) Ziv four years now, three of them as captain, and I know exactly what he wants of me, both as a holding midfielder and as team captain. I'll try to get the younger lads to function as a team and to help every player I can. I want to keep a positive atmosphere in the team and lots of positive energy in the dressing room".  

 

      

 

Maccabi's U19s will open their season against Hapoel Rishon Lezion in Holon

Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will open their 2014/15 season tomorrow (Saturday) with a home tie at 11am against Hapoel Rishon Lezion. Due to licensing and authorisation issues, the match has been moved on a one-off basis from the Kiryat Shalom training ground to the municipal stadium in Holon. In two weeks' time the Under-19s will return home to Kiryat Shalom for their matchweek 3 home tie against Hapoel Haifa.   

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv welcomed at Kiryat Shalom kids from the School for Football and Peace

Last Friday a very special event took place at the Maccabi Tel Aviv training ground Kiryat Shalom, as the club welcomed children from the School for Football and Peace, sponsored by the Peres Centre for Peace. The school is located at Kibbutz Dorot in Israel's North Negev Council near the Gazan border, and is attended by both Israeli and Palestinian children. Twenty-two of those children, all of primary school age, came for a visit to Kiryat Shalom and participated in a special practice with children from Maccabi Tel Aviv's Youth Division. Each of the children received a memento of their visit from the club: an MTA cap, an MTA sweat-band and an MTA keyring. The children, who have now returned to regular practices for the new school year, enjoyed their visit thoroughly, as did their parents, who joined them at Kiryat Shalom and expressed great appreciation to the club for their hospitality.  

 

 

An unprecedented number of young MTA stars have had Israel call-ups for international competition

Twelve members of Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19 and Under-17 squads will don the Israeli national kit in the next two weeks to play in international tournaments in Serbia and in Germany. With the National Under-19 Premier League poised to kick off on September 13^th, six members of the Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" squad have been capped for Israel for the U-19 Chela Tournament in Serbia: Goalkeeper Sahar Hason, defenders Idan Yogev and Guy Aviv, midfielders Dan Glazer and Matan Hozez and striker Stav Ben Aharon. The tournament will start tomorrow, September 3^rd, and end six days later.

At the same time, six youngsters from Maccabi Tel Aviv "Oded" (class of '98) have been selected for the Israel Under-17 national team who next week will set off for the prestigious U17 "Four Nations" tournament in Germany: Goalkeeper Haviv Ohayon, defender Bar Galili, midfielders Tomer Altman and Shay Golan and strikers Roy Ronen and Eylon Almog, who as a member of the class of '99 will have the opportunity to prove himself after being promoted to the Under-17 squad. The week-long U17 "Four Nations" tournament, which starts on September 8^th, will see Israel face off in a tough group against three other strong national sides – Italy, Germany and Holland. Israel's first opponent will be Italy on the 10^th, followed by Germany on the 12^th and Holland on the 14^th of September.

 

 

MTA's U14 Team South played counterparts from Taibe in a special match at "Beit Hanivcharot"

In a joint project that began last winter with the Under-13s, Maccabi Tel Aviv's now Under-14 Team South played counterparts from the Israeli Arab town of Taibe in a special event dedicated to the promotion of coexistence at "Beit Nivcharot" sports complex near Tel Aviv. This is the third time Hapoel Taibe Youth and Maccabi Tel Aviv have met in the framework of this special project, after having played home and away in March and April of this year. Maccabi were also privileged to welcome their new Taibe acquaintances at last season's final of the national Under-13 State Cup, where the guests cheered Maccabi on in their 6-2 triumph over Maccabi Haifa.

Yesterday's hour-long match, which Maccabi ultimately won 1-0, was one of a number of games played as part of a special initiative organised by the "Value Sports" Association, which aims to strengthen the values of Israeli society by teaching children and young people sportsmanship, ethics and character building through sports. The match took on extra special significance through the presence of Israel's new president, Reuven Rivlin, who in a special ceremony held afterwards received from all of the participating teams' captains footballs signed by all the players who participated in the event.  In addition, the Maccabi team presented the president with a Maccabi Tel Aviv shirt, as well as handing out banners and a statuette to their Taibe team counterparts.

*Photographs courtesy of the Israel Football Association

 

 

MTA's Youth Division held their traditional season opening conference of the entire Division staff at Kfar Maccabiah

Some three weeks before the 2014/15 Youth Division season kicks off in September, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division convened at the Kfar Maccabiah sports complex near Tel Aviv for a season opening conference with the participation of the entire professional, medical and logistics staffs. The purpose of the gathering was to review last season's Division activities and those planned for the new season ahead.

Football director Nir Levin opened the session by introducing the new personnel who have joined the Youth Division, including a number of new assistant coaches, a goalkeeping coach and a physical fitness coach. He then proceeded to lay out for the participants the Division's plans for the new season. Among the subjects covered were the improvements planned for the Division's sports complex at Kiryat Shalom and a variety of projects that include "The Ten Commandments" that was begun last season and the homework project. Levin's presentation was followed words from Dr Yaron Barak, physiologist and head of the Division's physical fitness staff, from Division manager Ariel Avram and from Maccabi's sports psychologist Noam Eyal. The conference was rounded off with a lecture by a representative of the "Heavens" project, designed to introduce to the Division's various teams the methods for training and personal and mental development employed in courses for fighter pilots.

The Youth Division season will officially kick off on September 13^th when the Under-19s and Under-16s play their opening matches of the 2014/15 season, with the Under-17s joining in a week later. In the course of the month of October the Under-15s will get their season underway, along with all of the rest of the Youth Division's younger eleven and eight-a-side teams.

Click here to see the full list of the season 2013/14 Youth Division teams and coaches.

Click here to see the full Under-19 fixture list for the 2013/14 season. 

MTA's U19s reached the finals of an international tournament during their training camp in Holland

Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar", the club's Under-19s, are holding their annual training camp in Heemskerk, some 16 miles outside of the Dutch capital Amsterdam. The highpoint of the training camp began yesterday, a prestigious pre-season tournament involving eight youth teams from all over the world, including Holland's own AFC Ajax and AZ Alkmaar as well as teams from Brazil, Bulgaria and Turkey. The matches held were shorter than usual, just 50 minutes, with each team playing a number of matches each day.

Maccabi's road to the final began yesterday (Saturday) with a 2-0 victory over last year's winner, Sparta Rotterdam, where Dor Jan was responsible for both of "Shachar"'s goals. This was followed by two 1-1 draws, the first against Hungarian top-flight side Budapest Honved FC, with Sharon Zisso netting the Maccabi goal. Asaf Madar's strike in the second draw against AZ Alkmaar sent "Shachar" through to the semi-finals, where the Under-19's toppled German side Eintracht Braunschweig after a penalty shoot-out in which "Shachar" keeper Gal Tovali saved Braunschweig's final kick. The final set Maccabi up once again against AZ Alkmaar, where they hoped to improve on the result of the group stage encounter. Unfortunately, the reverse proved to be true and the Dutch Eredivisie side put on an exceptionally strong performance to walk away with a 4-0 win and the tournament trophy.

Nonetheless, head coach Amir Turjeman's lads can look back upon an exceptionally successful pre-season tournament showing. "Shachar" will continue their training in Holland until the weekend, when they'll return to Israel to prepare for the opening of the national Under-19 Premier League season in just over two weeks' time.   

Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" capture their first season 2012/13 title with a penalty shoot-out win over Ashdod FC in the U19 Super Cup

Under-19 Premier League champions two years running, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" today opened their 2012/13 season in an historic first time ever "Super Cup" against last season's Football Association Cup winners Ashdod FC. The match, held at Ashdod's "Yud Aleph" Stadium, was hardly a memorable one, with neither side creating much threat in front of goal. At the final whistle the game was still a goalless affair that required a penalty shoot-out to declare a winner. It was there that the charges of head coach Amir Turjeman outshot their opponents 6-5 to hoist the landmark trophy.

As one might expect from a first competitive match of the season, the two sides started the game at a slow pace. Not until just under the quarter hour mark did "Shachar" make their first serious attempt on goal, an excellent opportunity from close-range that fell to Sagi Dror, last season's double-winning U16 captain making his maiden appearance for the U19s. His effort though was blocked by the Ashdod keeper Gor Midan. Close to the half hour mark it was Ashdod's turn to pose a threat, but Niv Zarihan's powerful shot at the other end careened off the post of Maccabi keeper Gal Tovali's goal. These two efforts provided the only excitement in what proved to be a rather listless, and goalless, first half.

Five minutes after the restart it was once again Sagi Dror providing the fireworks for Maccabi's Under-19s with a powerful shot that Midan slapped away for a corner. Just before becoming one of "Shachar"'s seven second-half substitutions, Dor Jan also saw an effort to put his side ahead saved by the Ashdod keeper.  Jan's replacement, Sagiv Yehezkiel, carried on where he left off by lifting a powerful shot just over the crossbar. Two minutes from time Ashdod almost snatched a dramatic winner but Or Einbrom's shot sailed just past the post and the match ended much as it had started – without any goals.

In the resultant penalty shoot-out Maccabi keeper Gal Tovali proved the star, scoring from the spot and saving the winning penalty from Ashdod's Yaniv Bitar, setting the stage for Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" to celebrate an historic first ever U19 Super Cup victory. On Saturday, Turjeman's squad will open their 2012/13 league season with a very intriguing tie against counterparts from Beitar Tubruk.