Over the past few years, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Avi Cohen Youth Academy has seen a dramatic change thanks to Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen who introduced and imbued his football philosophy throughout the department. This season also saw the introduction of the Individual Elite Training program headed by Raymond Atteveld, van Leeuwen’s assistant, with the goal of developing the Academy’s players.

The Individual Elite Training program runs in conjunction with the regular training program and is designed to suit the individual needs of the players who are part of the project. The program includes additional resources for better living, video, physical and tactical sessions for individual players.

During the course of the week, the next week’s program is already being designed. Some are more individualized while other sessions can be with players at the same specific position or with players that they will play with in the future. The players are under the tutelage of Raymond Atteveld as well as the mental coach, fitness coach, video analyst, technical and tactical coaches who are tasked with working on all of these elements with the individual.

The experts meet prior to every training session in order to make sure that certain elements are worked on in order for the player to continue to improve. The staff lets the players and their coaches know what specific activities need to take place and why. The player receives the necessary information and specifics of where they need to improve while the coach also receives that same information so they can continue with their regular team training session as well.

Raymond Atteveld, the head of the program spoke about the idea behind the project: “In some cases the improvement is in small elements like how to move your foot when you are shooting or passing, or your body stature while defending. Other times it can be working on timing between players, so they would be together during the training session. The players receive plenty of information that will contribute to their progress.”

Atteveld summed up the project to date: “The project has begun well. We will make improvements in places where we feel that is needed but so far the project is very promising based on the players’ reactions and how they have applied it their game. Football is a team sport but personal attention contributes to the how the players think during the individual training plan and in specific elements of that training. At the end of the day the club will benefit from this program and they will gain a lot of knowledge about the game which will ultimately have a positive impact on the progress of the home grown players in the Academy.

The Under-19 squad, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visited Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 26 of the Israel Youth Premier League and began the day in 2nd place just 3 points off table leader Maccabi Petah Tikva while the hosts were in 11th place.

Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Yoav Hofmayster, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer, Omri Ram, Nadav Nidam, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Tal Yagudaev.

First Half
In the 10’ Netanya had the contest’s first chance when Ram Johaja’s Chance from the right of the box went out while ten minutes later Ram found Cohen on the left of the box but his left footed attempt was saved by Netanya keeper Amit Merigin.

Guerrero tried to find Ram in the area in the 28’ but the ball was blocked at the last minute while Cohen’s rebound attempt hit the outside netting of the goal. Four minutes later Guerrero’s opportunity was blocked by a Netanya defender as the score remained as is.

However, in the 35’ Maccabi took a 1:0 lead when Cohen flicked the ball elegantly over a pair of defenders right to Guerrero who found the back of the goal. Three minutes later, Tzarfati’s crew doubled their advantage when Cohen once again sent Guerrero a through ball that he unleashed behind the keeper for a 2:0 lead. Just before the break Yagudaev sent a magnificent cross to Cohen but he missed the target as the Yellow & Blue took a 2:0 advantage into halftime.

Second Half
Netanya had the first chance of the half when Johaja’s shot was blocked by Shtrozberg and in the 65’ they once again threatened to cut the lead when Amit Yakov sent a through ball towards the Maccabi goal but Peretz was able to cut off the play.

Ten minutes later, Tzarfati’s squad added a third goal when Cohen took care of a Guerrero assist for a 3:0 lead. In the 78’ Netanya tried to cut the lead when Eyad Hagi’s attempt went out. Rave Assayag’s 84’ chance came up short as Maccabi wrapped up a 3:0 victory.

Maccabi Netanya – Maccabi “Shachar “ Tel Aviv, 12:00 Netanya (U19)
After defeating Bnei Yehuda in the Little Derby, the Yellow & Blue head to Maccabi Netanya on Matchday 26 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Last match, the Yellow & Blue won 1:0 thanks to a goal by Gil Ben Shalosh. Guy Tzarfati’s squad are in 2nd place, just 3 points off the table leaders Maccabi Petah Tikva while the host’s are in 11th place.

Hapoel Haifa – Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, 11:00 Kiryat Haim (U17)
The Under-17 side plays at the Carmel Reds on Matchday 26. Eliezer Ben Aharon’s squad is in first place with an 11 point lead while the host’s are in 10th. Last match between the two saw Shaked Navon and Nehorai Bitton score in a 2:0 win for the Yellow & Blue. Should Maccabi win and their rivals for the league title they will secure the title.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Maccabi Petah Tikva, 9:30 Kiryat Shalom 1 (U16)
The Under-16 team host’s Petah Tikva on Matchday 26 of league play as they find themselves in 2nd place just two points off the top of the table. The visitor’s are in 4th place just two points away from the Yellow & Blue. Last match Eran Sassi’s squad win by the score of 2:1 on goals by Ariel Belhassen and Orel Azarzar.

Hapoel Ramat Gan – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, 8:30 Ramat Gan Safari Asi (U15)
The Under-15 squad faces Ramat Gan on Matchday 27 of league action, the young Yellow & Blue are in first place with a 5 point lead while the host’s are in 10th. Last match Maccabi won 2:0 on goals by Oskar Gluch and Nir Levi.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 2:0 Bnei Yehuda (U19)
The Under-19 squad took the Little Derby by the score of 2:0 on Matchday 25 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Bar Cohen and Eduardo Guerrero scored for Guy Tzarfati’s team who remain in 2nd place just 3 points out of first place. For the Full Match Report Click Here.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 1:1 Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion
The U19 side split the points in a match that they had controlled the pace of play in but are still in first place with a double digit lead. Rotem Itzkar scored the lone marker for the Yellow & Blue. Head Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon summed up the match: “It was a good match with good pace with pressure for 90 minutes. We played as per the club’s book and we had the upper hand with plenty of chances to score. Somedays the ball just doesn’t go in. All in all we’re content with the match despite the result. Next week we play Hapoel Haifa and hopefully we will play just a s we did today and finish our chances.”

Maccabi Ahi Nazareth 0:5 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv (U16)
The Under-16 squad continued their fine play from last week’s win over Ramat Hasharon and scores 5 goals to take the win over Ahi Nazareth. Goal scorers included: Dor Turgeman, Aner Ushmandi, Ziv Shalata x2, Amit Kodman. The club stays in 2nd place but the gap to first place Ashdod narrowed to just two points.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 5:0 Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem (U15)
After recording a midweek win over Ironi Modiin, the Under-15 team defeated Katamon 5:0 thanks to goals by Ofek Sasson, Nir Levi, Liad Ramat x2, Bar Enosh Lin. The win keeps the squad in first place with a 5 point lead. Head Coach Ori David spoke about the win, “This was a good match for the team and we played at a high pace from the first minute. We performed quality football plays that brought us to many clear chances near the goal. We scored 5 goals and the players have to get credit for that. I’m proud of the team.”