Category: News
Yellow-and-Blue Saturday – Youth Department Match Results
It was a great Saturday for all three youth clubs that played on Saturday in their respective leagues. Ziv Arie’s Under-19 side opened up the season on the right foot at their home stadium in Ramle, Ori Uzan’s club also continued their winning ways and Eliezer Ben Aharon’s team started off their campaign with an away victory.
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – SC Ashdod 1:0
The statistics say that it’s difficult for a team in Israel to play in both a European and domestic competition at the same time, but Ziv Arie’s side was able to put that to bed with an opening day win over Ashdod. Captain Dan Glazer scored the lone goal of the match, as his 54th minute strike was all that the club needed to secure the 3-points. Next Matchday Maccabi will travel to face Bnei Sakhnin.
Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Kiryat Shemona 4:1
Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf’s Under-17 side got off to a spectacular start scoring in the first minute of the match and adding two more goals by the end of the first half. The second frame saw Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv add an additional goal while Kiryat Shemona picked up a goal of their own before the final whistle. Netanel Peretz scored a brace as Prince Thomas and Deslin Belachio each scored a goal as well.
Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Ramat Gan 5:2
Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gadi Brumer’s team headed to play Hapoel Ramat Gan right by the field next to the Safari where their was no scoring in the first half but seven goals in the final 45 minutes. Sahar Sa’adon was the star of the show scoring four goals for the Yellow-and-Blue while Idan Tzioni added one of his own to help the Under-16 side Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv to the opening day victory.
“We’ll forget about Chelsea and come prepared for Raanana”
After his “Baptism by fire” against Chelsea in a 4:0 loss on Matchday One of the UEFA Champions League Group Stages, left back Omri Ben Harush will attempt to help the Yellow-and-Blue get back to their winning ways in the Ligat Winner as Maccabi hosts Hapoel Raanana on Matchday Four.
“The transition between one competition to the other is very stark,” explained Ben Harush prior to this evening’s match. “It’s not easy to go from a match in one of the world’s top tournaments to our league. But as they say we must make the switch and come prepared for out game against Raanana. We always have to come back to the regular league so we’re used to it and we have to remember that’s how we got to where we are today.”
The impact of the Chelsea loss:
“I don’t think that the loss to Chelsea will have any impact on our play. We need to take it one match at a time and the coaching staff and players are doing what they need to forget about Chelsea and come prepared for Raanana.”
About their opponent Raanana:
“Raanana is a good team and it won’t be an easy game. They play well on the pitch and you can see exactly that in their last game against Beer Sheva even though they loss. 
We have to be ready on a professional level so we can control the pace as needed.”
On changing the style played on Wednesday to this match:
“In league play we are more in control and have possession of the ball for longer periods of time so we will have more chances, but we have to make sure that we change up the way we played Wednesday so we will be prepared. These matches will be very different in style and it’s part of our training to be ready for this both mentally and on a professional level. This is a test for any Israeli club that will play in a European competition.”
Starting off on the right foot
It wasn’t easy, but Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv started off on the right foot defeating SC Ashdod 1:0 on the opening day of the Ligat Ha’Al Youth League with the help of Dan Glazer’s 54th minute goal. Next Matchday Maccabi will visit Bnei Sakhnin.
The first half began a bit sluggishly as one could see that both teams were just opening up the season showing some rust. Maccabi dominated the play for the first 45 minutes but couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities in front of the Ashdod goal. Near the end of the half, midfielder Or Dasa’s individual effort resulted in a strike from 20 meters out that the Ashdod ‘keeper deflected to the crossbar but Lazar Dragovic couldn’t convert the rebound as the half ended scoreless.
Under-19 coach Ziv Arie made a couple of substitutions to begin the second half as Ran Vaturi and Eylon Almog came in for Amit Rosenboim and Dragovic. The personnel changes almost paid immediate dividends as Maccabi’s attack became much more dangerous than in the first half and in the 54th minute the Yellow-and-Blue were rewarded for their efforts. Captain Dan Glazer gave Maccabi a 1:0 lead as his 20 meter shot found the back of the goal. As the half continued, Maccabi continued controlling the tempo but Almog and Amit Shapira’s chance couldn’t find the goal. Near the end of the match the players began to tire and lose concentration but we’re able to hold on for the win and the 3-points on Matchday One.
Arie and Glazer discuss Matchday One win
The Under-19 club opened up their Ligat Ha’Al Youth League season with a 1:0 win over SC Ashdod on a Dan Glazer goal. The coach Ziv Arie spoke about the win, returning from the Champions League and the change in weather:
“It’s always fun to win and pick up a clean sheet on Matchday One. I was concerned about the team’s ability to change gears from the Champions League and Chelsea, but they were able to focus on the task at hand, control the tempo and prevented Ashdod from getting opportunities. I was a bit disappointed about the final 20 minutes of the game and there is still plenty to work on.”
The substitutions that helped the club:
“The easiest thing to say is that we have new players that need time to mesh as a team and we won due to good luck. But I’d rather look at this as ability and practice. We will work hard and continue on. The journalists can always discuss what was a good sub and what wasn’t. Against Chelsea the subs perhaps hurt our chances. We have a deep squad, a good bench and another six players that weren’t even in the squad today but throughout the year everyone will help.”
On the weather changes:
“After facing Chelsea everyone was talking about the difference in the level of play but there is another big difference, the weather. We went from playing in 15 to 32 degrees and stifling heat and humidity. Of course the weather affects both clubs but it was tough to play the way we wanted to in these conditions.”
Goal scorer Dan Glazer talked about the opening day win, scoring the goal and also what it’s like training with the first team and play with the youth side:
“It’s terrific to win and especially to score a goal. We have to continue this way and this is just the beginning. Part of the thought process of playing with the youth team is to diversify my game and get more minutes along with scoring and I’m happy that exactly what happened here on Matchday One.”
About the match:
“We came back from the Chelsea game which was difficult and we worked really hard but there’s nothing better than being able to play on Wednesday and Saturday, let us play, we love it. We’re footballers and we love what we do.”
On his role of captain this season:
“I’m a bit older and it’s new for me, but there are some really good players here that pick up the game and how we play very quickly. We did some great things today and it’s important to continue this way.”
About practicing with the first team:
“Training with the first team is quite the experience. To practice with the best players in the country definitely helps me improve as everyone gives more than 100% and is especially helpful when I play on Saturday with the youth team.”
Youth Department in Action Saturday
The three main Maccabi Tel Aviv youth clubs return to action on Saturday, after all of the matches were pushed off from last week due to the inclement weather. Below is the full list of games:
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv
The Under-19 club landed back in Israel after their first Champions League group stage match against Chelsea where they went down to defeat to the reigning European Champions 3:0. Ziv Arie’s side will open up their domestic season at home in the Ramle Stadium against SC Ashdod at 12:00. While in London the coach discussed the importance of making the transition between the European competition and the Israeli league: “There’s no magic formula; just like the match for the first team was difficult, so was ours. The cliche is that the Israeli league is our bread and butter and we know that we have to open the year strong.”
Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv
After not playing for two weeks due to inclement weather and a technical victory, the Under-17 club under the direction of Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf heads up north to face Kiryat Shemona at the Municipal Stadium, 11:00. Maccabi “Oded” find themselves at the top of the table with a perfect 2:0 record.
Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv
The Under-16 team coached by Gadi Brumer and Eliezer Ben Aharon will begin their season tomorrow when they face Hapoel Ramat Gan away, right by the field next to the Ramat Gan Safari at 10:30.
Tickets on sale for Hapoel Raanana match
After just arriving home from London, Maccabi will host the Ligat Winner Matchday Four against the Raanana club from just up the road.
Tickets may be purchased on the Leaan website, by telephone *8780 or at the Leaan Ticket Office, 101 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv.
Ticket Prices via telephone/Internet:
Sections 7/8:
Adult – 105₪
Women/Soldiers/Youth – 55₪ (Youth not available via the website)
Sections 4:
All tickets – 60₪
Sections 2/13:
All tickets – 115₪
Ticket Prices at the Leaan Ticket Office:
Sections 7/8:
Adult – 100₪
Women/Soldiers/Youth – 50₪ (Youth not available via the website)
Sections 4:
All tickets – 55₪
Sections 2/13:
All tickets – 110₪
Print at home
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Ticket collection
Leaan Ticket Office 101 Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv: Sunday-Thursday 09:00-19:00, Friday 09:00-13:00
Cruyff: “We are trying to gain valuable experience”
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff summed up the the first match for the Yellow-and-Blue in the Champions League after falling to Chelsea 4:0. at Stamford Bridge. Cruyff isn’t disappointed with the result and doesn’t believe it will effect the team morale as they face Hapoel Raanana in Israeli league play.
ג’ורדי קרויף: “זאת הייתה קבלת פנים מהרמה הגבוהה באירופה”.
Disappointed:
“I’m not sure. I don’t take it that way, there’s a difference in the level. I may be disappointed as to the way we gave up some of the goals and try not give up a goal from a free kick. It’s been many years since we had an opponent at this level and I hope we can learn from it.”
We’re some of the players not up to their usual standards of play:
“Maybe. The opponent also has an influence on the result at this level. When you give half a meter you’re going to be too late. They have very fast and athletic players and we haven’t had to compete at this level for a long time. I’m not pessimistic for the following matches. The most important thing is to show character and strength in the league for the next game and in the local league. Hopefully we can learn from this for the next European game, the level here is obvious.”
The new ‘keeper Rajkovic made a crucial mistake:
“I haven’t seen the replay on TV and in all honesty we lost 4:0 and I’ve seen a lot of mistakes today. I don’t think we should pick out just one mistake. We’re not going to win the Champions League and we had two 19-year olds on the pitch and we are trying to gain valuable experience.”
How would you judge some of the players:
“Some players reached a good level and showed that they could compete physically and I saw a number of good things. We played here against the English Premier League champion and we shouldn’t lose what the reality is and keep our eyes open as to the team’s we are playing.”
Will the match effect their play in the league:
“I hope not and I expect not as the players have shown a lot of character over the past few years. But I expect the team to come back in strong way. This should not effect us because this is the big boys competition.”
How would sum up the total experience against Chelsea:
“I think it’s not a happy welcome but they showed us what the Champions League is all about and it’s up to us to learn from it and try to learn for the next games. We have to take this well and not say that this was a disaster. Realistically it may be much easier to compete in the Europa League but the fact is we wanted to test ourselves at the highest levels which means we will play better opponents.
Chelsea have an amazing squad and an amazing coach. They also played at home with a point to prove and had to get the bad feeling from the league out of their system and we were a good candidate for them.”
Are you looking forward for the next Champions League match against Dynamo Kyiv:
“Right now I’m looking forward to Raanana on the weekend and this is where we have to compete. The priority for the club now that we are playing in the Champions League is number one with no doubt to compete for the league.”
How is owner Mitch Goldhar after this experience:
“I think he’s ok and I don’t see disappointment in him. At Maccabi we are trying to be realistic.”
Peretz: “We’re getting ready for the next challenge”
Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived back in Israel last night (Thursday) from England after their first match in the group stages of the Champions League where they came up short against Chelsea, the Premier League Champion. Even though the club landed just last night this morning they are back to work preparing for the Ligat Winner Matchday Four matchup against Hapoel Raanana at Bloomfield Stadium. Dor Peretz who played in last night’s game coming in as a second half substitute, talked about the experience of playing at Stamford Bridge, his relationship with Coach Jokanovic and the transition between playing in Europe and Israel.
“As of today this was the greatest experience for me as a footballer. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to play at such an terrific stadium against such a big club. I was really excited and happy. Putting the result aside it was a great learning experience. There’s something special in the air at Stamford Bridge that creates an incredible atmosphere.”
On his new role on the pitch against Chelsea and his relationship with the coach:
“I’m not so familiar with being a right back but I did the best that I could. I see this is as a vote of confidence from the coach and I’m very happy about it. I have the same relationship like all of the other players with the coach but I’m really excited that he has faith in me and I feel very appreciated.”
On transitioning from Europe back to the domestic league:
“We have a lot of respect for Chelsea but the match is over and we have to move on. Today we are already training and preparing for the match on Sunday against Hapoel Raanana. That was also the case after the last match we played, we’re happy when it’s over and enjoy the moment but the following day you’re already thinking about the next game and we’re getting ready for the next challenge. It’s important for us to begin a new winning streak.”
Arie: “The goal was to compete”
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv were defeated by the Chelsea Under-19 side. Ziv Arie: “The goal was to compete”
The Maccabi Under-19 club fell to their Chelsea counterparts 3:0 in England. The Yellow-and-Blue went up against one of the strongest teams in the UEFA Champions League Youth Tournament and gave up two goals to Kasey Palmer who scored a brace while Tammy Abraham scored the third goal for the defending champions. Following the match Maccabi “Shachar” coach Ziv Arie spoke about the game, the abilities showed by his side and the experience gained by playing at this level:
“You can say that the result is reflective of the levels of the clubs. We may have been able to score a goal or two but they also had plenty of opportunities. The goal was to compete with Chelsea and not look like a club that just pushed the ball forward and hope that we wouldn’t give up a goal. At times we were able to and other moments not. We recently got players like Haviv Ohayon, Dan Glaser, Lazar Durovic and Al Awisat and it takes time to integrate them into the lineup. We’re a side that still needs to come together as a team.”
“It was a good lesson for us, some of the gaps in play can be reduced, others not. The pace, the physical play and the defensive prowess is something that we don’t experience on a day to day basis. I am glad with the level of play in Israel and seeing how the other teams compete with us and we didn’t come here to just pass the time and finish 1:0 with many saves from Haviv and I’m happy with the way we played. Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world. You see the facilities, the attitude and the rhythm, all of it at the level of the Champions League.”
“This was our first official match after the domestic league was delayed so we knew that not having any matches right before would hurt us. There’s no magic formula; just like the match for the first team will be difficult, so was ours. The cliche is that the Israeli league is our bread and butter and we know that we have to open the year strong. There’s another five matches in the Champions League and whoever wants to play will have to work hard in the league.”
