MTA's Under-12 Team North and Under-10 Team South have both won their State Cup trophies

Maccabi Tel Aviv's Youth Division have clinched their first two State Cup trophies as both the Under-12 Team North and the Under-10 Team South won in the finals of this prestigious competition. Of the two teams competing in the first of six Youth Division Cup finals, it was head coach Asaf Propetta and assistant Eliran Mizrahi's Under-10 Team South who first lifted the trophy. The class of '04 overwhelmed Maccabi Petach Tikva 1-9 courtesy of four goals by Oscar Gluch, a brace by Ori Krihely and individual efforts by Ofek Nahum, Rotem Grama and Arik David. This first victory was followed in close order by head coach Micha Dahan and assistant Guy Shemesh's Under-12 Team North, who faced Hapoel Rishon Lezion and won handily 6-3 thanks to braces by Tim Prica (son of Maccabi's senior striker Rade Prica) and Roy Ma'ayan and individual goals by Niv Berkovitz and Omer Senior. On Tuesday April 22^nd the Youth Division will be represented by three more teams in Cup finals: The Under-14s, the Under-15 Team 2 and the Under-13 Team South. The final Youth Division team to appear in a Cup final will be the Under-17s, who will face Maccabi Haifa on May 13^th.

The Under-10 Team South squad are: Daniel Azarzer, Amit Bachar, Yahonatan Baruch, Ben Gold, Oscar Gluch, Arik David, Eden Valmer, Alexander Taberchnikov, Orall Yehoshua, Matan Cohen, Amit Levy, Harel Montefiore, Ofek Nahum, Adir Cordova, Shalev Reuven.

The Under-12 Team North squad are: Yonatan Gimberg, Yali Ben Ari, Gabriel Benbenisti, Niv Berkovitz, Tom Harmash, Noam Cohen, Michael Mor, Ilay Nimni, Ofek Sapir, Roy Paz, Yaron Kees, Shahar Rosen, Noam Eliev, Harel Ben Yehuda, Mor Basis, Yoav Hurvitz, Tomer Ya'acobi, Yaron Medina, Roy Ma'ayan, Guy Sivilia, Shay Sakal, Tim Prica, Ori Kastiel, Ben Reutman.

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC held their annual Shachar Brickman memorial game at Kiryat Shalom 

Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club today held their annual match in memory of the late Shachar Brickman, son of former Maccabi and Israel Betting Authority chairman Gideon Brickman and a dyed-in-the-wool Maccabi fan, who died tragically at the early age of 38. Since 2009 the club's Under-19 team, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar", bear his name and today they hosted fellow Under-19 Premier League contenders Bnei Yehuda at the Kiryat Shalom training ground for this testimonial match in his memory. MTA sports director Jordi Cruyff and senior squad head coach Paulo Sousa were among the notables watching the game, together with the Brickman family, Maccabi Tel Aviv staff members and club sponsors.

The 60 minutes of this showcase match ended with the sides drawn 1-1, after midfielder Eliel Peretz scored the equaliser for Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" in the second half. In the shoot-out that followed, "Shachar" keeper Matan Amber succeeded in saving a Bnei Yehuda penalty to give Maccabi's Under-19s the upper hand. Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division general manager Ariel Avram joined Jordi Cruyff and the Brickman family in awarding the trophy to Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" captain Daniel Gretz. As a memento of the match, the Brickman family received a team jersey signed by all the members of the Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" squad.

 

The Israeli Foundation for Athletic Excellence held a special ceremony at Maccabi Tel Aviv's Kiryat Shalom training ground

In collaboration with the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division, the Israeli Foundation for Athletic Excellence today held a special ceremony at Kiryat Shalom training ground to present scholarships to five athletes associated with ILAN, the Israeli Association for Handicapped Children, and four young players from Maccabi's Youth Division. The foundation was established by Yoram Danziger in memory of his late father Michael (Mopi) Danziger, a former Supreme Court judge. Mr Danziger was on hand at Kiryat Shalom to present the scholarships to the nine worthy young athletes. Youth Division director of football Nir Levin spoke to those present and participated at the awards ceremony along with Youth Division general manager Ariel Avram and representative of the MTA senior squad, Barak Itzhaki.

The youngest footballer in the MTA Youth Division to receive a scholarship was eight year-old Nitai Blaish, who plays for the Division's Under-9s. Ten year-old Shalev Reuven, a member of the Division's Under-10 Team South, was also found a worthy recipient of a Foundation scholarship. Completing the list of the Division's deserving awardees was Osher Hazan from the Under-12 Team South and Netanel Peretz from the Under-15 Team 2, the oldest of the four Division recipients. All these youngsters were chosen for their high levels of motivation, their determination and their excellence as athletes on the football pitch.

In a partnership forged to promote co-existence, MTA's U13 Team South once again met youngsters from Hapoel Taibe Youth

Six weeks after participating in a unique game at Maccabi Tel Aviv's Kiryat Shalom training ground, the club's Under-13 Team South and their counterparts from Hapoel Taibe Youth exchanged roles and met once again, this time in the town of Taibe near Kfar Saba. The encounter was designed to promote the values of co-existence between Israel's various ethnic communities and the youngsters on Maccabi's Under-13 squad described the warm welcome they received in the Taibe community as an incredible experience. The match that followed between the two sides was an evenly balanced affair, with Maccabi ultimately getting the upper hand 1-0.

Having now completed home and away contests at both venues, the two groups indicated their great desire to see the partnership continue. So much so that the Taibe youngsters also expressed a wish to come to "Beit Hanivharot" in the Tel Aviv suburb of Shfayim to cheer on their new Maccabi friends at the Under-13 State Cup finals, to be held at on Tuesday April 22^nd.

 

 

After eleven consecutive league matches without a defeat, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s lost 0-1 at home to Beitar Jerusalem, losing ground in the title race

After having narrowed the gap at the top of the table to two points last week, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" today hosted Beitar Jerusalem in matchweek 26 of the national Under-19 Premier League. Playing in blue kit, the club's Under-19s hoped to continue the run of excellent form they've displayed in their second round of league ties and harvest an additional three points that would keep them in title contention at the top of the closely contested Under-19 Premier League table. From the very start of the match, head coach Ziv Arie's charges dominated the game and tried to create chances in front of the opposition goal. The first clear threat came in the form of defender Shaun Goldberg, who was first to connect with a Maccabi corner, but his effort was cleared by the Beitar defence. Halfway through the half striker Jonathan Cohen, whose form has been on the rise in second round matches, came closest to goal when he slid in to meet defender Guy Aviv's cross but his shot bounced off the post. At the other end, Beitar's Avishai Cohen came closest to threatening Maccabi keeper Sahar Hason but his shot strayed wide to send both sides off at the break locked in a goalless draw.

The second half started much as the first had ended, with Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" on the attack. Just after the restart striker Ofek Barzani found Stav Shoshan in position to score but the Beitar keeper too was at the ready. Moments later the keeper's mettle was tested even farther as he deflected a strike by substitute midfielder Matan Hozez. "Shachar" continued to harass the Beitar defence but missed the final touch, enabling the Beitar back four to clear their efforts again and again. This profligacy cost "Shachar" dearly, as against the run of play Beitar's Avishai Cohen found the corner of the Maccabi net from inside the area just over a quarter of an hour from time. Despite a good last-minute opportunity by midfielder Dor Peretz, who headed over in injury time, "Shachar" failed to find an equaliser and at the final whistle the score remained 0-1 in Beitar's favour. The loss means that Maccabi's Under-19s once again trail leaders Maccabi Haifa by five points at the top of the national Under-19 Premier League table with four matches left to the season.

Next week the Under-19s will hope to return to their winning ways as they appear at Wolfson training grounds for an intriguing away derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Click here to see the full Under-19 table.

 

Yesterday the younger Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division teams played midweek matches. All the Division's teams will be playing league matches on Saturday

The suspense is running high in the national Under-19 Premier League after Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" narrowed the gap at the top of the table to two points. This Saturday at 11.45am head coach Ziv Arie's charges will host Beitar Jerusalem at the Kiryat Shalom training ground in the hope their present run of excellent form will help them maintain that suspense. Highlights from the match can be seen on Saturday on the Israeli sports channel Sport 5. The club's Under-17s are also involved in a title race with their counterparts from Maccabi Haifa and head coach Eliezer Ben Aharon's lads will be at home at 8.30am on Saturday to play Hapoel Ramat Gan. The club's Under-16s will also be on the centre pitch at Kiryat Shalom to host Bnei Yehuda for the late kick-off at 2.30pm. The synthetic pitch will see Maccabi Tel Aviv "Eldad", the club's Under-15 Team 1, host Maccabi Haifa at 10.20am. Team 2 head out to face Maccabi Petach Tikva away at 12.15pm.

Maccabi's Under-14s and 13s played midweek matches yesterday (Wednesday) and will be playing again on Saturday. The Under-14 Team South beat Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-1 at home with goals by Adir Hardon and Bar Levi and will play away on Saturday at Hapoel Ramat Hasharon at 9am. Team North lost yesterday at Maccabi Herzliya but will try to make amends when they host Maccabi Haifa for a top-of-the-table encounter at 12.15pm on Saturday.

 

 

Today Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-16s and Under-15 Team 2 joined three other MTA Youth Division teams who in midweek reached their age group finals of the coveted State Cup

Maccabi Tel Aviv "Eli Fuchs", the club's Under-16s, today (Saturday) booked their place in the finals of the coveted State Cup after beating Hapoel Beer Sheva 3-0 at "Beit Hanivcharot" in the Tel Aviv suburb of Shfayim. Striker Or Dasa scored a brace and fellow striker Roy Ronen added an individual effort to ensure nationwide Under-16 League South leaders "Eli Fuchs" passed their southern counterparts on their way to the State Cup finals ten days from now on April 22^nd, where they will face Beitar Tubruk, who won their semi-final tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

In another State Cup semi-final played today at "Beit Hanivcharot" in Shfayim, Under-15 Team 2 became the fifth Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division team to book their place in the finals of this prestigious competition. Head coach Haim Siton's charges beat Maccabi Netanya 2-0 courtesy of goals by Guy Dahan and Desalin Balacho. They will now go on to face northern namesakes Maccabi Haifa in the final.

Today's two victories capped a successful week for Maccabi's Youth Division in State Cup competition after similar semi-final triumphs by the Under-10 Team South, the Under-12 Team North and the Under-13 Team South, who will all now appear in the State Cup finals for their age groups. The Under-10 Team South, Maccabi's class of '04, beat Beitar Jerusalem 7-6 and will now face Maccabi Petach Tikva in the finals on Friday April 18^th. Head coach Micha Dahan's Under-12 Team North, the first MTA Youth Division team to book their place in the finals, did so at the expense of Hapoel Hod Hasharon in an 11-2 romp that will see them facing Hapoel Rishon Lezion in the finals, also this coming Friday. Finally, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-13 Team South beat Maccabi Netanya 4-2 and will now face their counterparts from Maccabi Haifa, who prevented the Under-13 State Cup final from becoming an in-house affair by beating MTA's Under-13 Team North in the second semi-final for their age group.

In addition to these State Cup ties there was also league action midweek. Maccabi's Under-17s, who booked their place in the State Cup finals last week, faced off against Hapoel Ra'anana at their Kiryat Shalom training ground in matchweek 22 of the national Under-17 Premier League. A Ra'anana own goal in the first half and an Omri Haramati strike ten minutes from time handed Maccabi Tel Aviv "Oded" yet another home win and brought them level on points, temporarily at least, with national Under-17 Premier League leaders Maccabi Haifa, remaining second but with a game in hand.

 

 

 

Ending a week packed with special activities, the seventy-five children participating in the MTA Football Academy North soccer camp attended a special training session with the Maccabi Tel Aviv senior squad

At this morning's practice, members of Maccabi Tel Aviv's senior squad were delighted to welcome some very special guests – children attending the Passover soccer camp organised by Maccabi Tel Aviv's Football Academy North and managed by Kfir Alfonta. Participants were seventy-five children ranging in age from grades one to six who during the camp practised on a regular basis at the Academy. The week's intensive programme included a variety of activities and games played against similar camp groups from Ashkelon, Hadar Yosef and Tel Aviv's Tzahala neighbourhood headed by former referee Eyal Tzur. Today's practice at the Kiryat Shalom training ground was the last of the camp's activities and Maccabi stars Tal Ben Haim, Eran Zahavi, Sheran Yeini and Rade Prica all joined the children for this final event. Afterwards the children were invited to attend the senior team's practice. There they met the entire squad, had their pictures taken with them and were all given a personal magnet as a memento of their unforgettable week.    

 

With an important 2-3 away win against Hapoel Ramat Hasharon, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s reduced the gap behind league leaders Maccabi Haifa to only two points. Yonatan Cohen (10'), Ofek Barzani (28') and Maxim Grechkin (60') scored the goals

Matchweek 25 of the national Under-19 Premier League provided Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" with the opportunity to close in on the league leaders, and after winning away 2-3 at Hapoel Ramat Hasharon's Grundman Stadium news of Maccabi Haifa's goalless draw at Beitar Jerusalem did just that: Two points are now all that separate Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s from their northern namesakes. The road they took to achieve it was not an easy one. Head coach Ziv Arie's lads started out very brightly and immediately showed their intentions, with two early chances for defender Saar Kalderon, both stopped by the Hasharon goalkeeper, and a header by midfielder Dan Glazer that was cleared off the line. Ten minutes into the match, Maccabi's intentions became reality as a quick break down the right by defender Guy Aviv finished with a splendid cross to striker Yonatan Cohen, who finished adroitly from close range for his seventh goal of the season.

The hosts tried to get back into the match but Maccabi keeper Sahar Hason prevented Ramat Hasharon's Bar Shen Tov from scoring. This enabled striker Ofek Barzani to double Maccabi's lead just short of the half hour mark when Dan Glazer's long ball left him with just the keeper to beat.  Shortly afterwards Guy Aviv was once again in action on the flank but his finish sailed over the net. Ramat Hasharon managed to reduce the deficit before the half courtesy of Sahar Danan, but Maccabi went into the break still leading 1-2.

After the restart, Maccabi coach Arie made a number of substitutions and one of them, midfielder Dor Peretz, paid off immediately as he came close to scoring twice within a minute. It was just after this bright opening by the visitors that the home side scored on the break, courtesy of Ryan Gerchard, but the parity lasted only three minutes. Another "Shachar" substitute, Maxim Grechkin, scored after a quick break at the other end finished with a double pass that left the midfielder on his own facing the Sharon keeper. Midfielder Sohil Armeli hoped to score Maccabi's fourth goal with an overhead kick, but Grechkin's goal proved to be the last one of the match and when the Under-19s returned to Maccabi Tel Aviv's Kiryat Shalom training ground, they took all three points with them.

This 2-3 victory reduces Maccabi Haifa's lead over Maccabi Tel Aviv at the top of the Israeli Under-19 Premier League to two points with just five matches remaining to the season. Next Saturday Maccabi's Under-19s will host Beitar Jerusalem at Kiryat Shalom.  

 

Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-14 Team North have won a special tournament held in honour of the memory of Ruby Shapira

Haifa's new training complex was the venue this week of a national Under-14s tournament in memory of Ruby Shapira, who was president of Hapoel Haifa from 1993 until 2001. Participating in the tournament were six teams divided into two groups of three. In their first match, Maccabi's Under-14 Team North beat Hapoel Haifa 6-1 on goals by Eyal Chen, Gil Rahimi, Arad Bar, Ziv Maymon, Shay Yorev and Simon Ayelah. In their second tie they sailed past Maccabi Haifa 5-0 courtesy of a brace by Yam Ben Yehuda and individual efforts by Amit Glazer, Eyal Chen and Eyal Adri. In the final they faced Hapoel Haifa Sharon and their 3-0 victory, compliments of a brace by Eyal Chen and an added effort by Gil Rahimi, meant Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-14 Team North walked away with the tournament trophy.