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.”

The Under-19 squad, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv defeated Bnei Yehuda 2:0 on Matchday 25 of the Israel Youth Premier League at the Ramle Stadium. Eduardo Guerrero opened the scoring in the 21’ while Bar Cohen doubled the advantage two minutes later to take the victory. The young Yellow & Blue remain 3-points behind first place Maccabi Petah Tikva.

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

First Half
Maccabi had the first chance of the match in the 6’ when Ram stole the ball on the right side and sent a through ball to Guerrero but he just missed the ball. Three minutes later Bnei Yehuda’s Roie Bar Shimon took the ball on the left side but his shot went over the bar. Cohen had an opportunity in the 10’ but the visiting keeper Omer Niron made the save and his 16’ chance missed the target.

Finally in the 21’ Yagudaev sent a cross to Guerrero in the box who scored from close in to take a 1:0 lead. Two minutes later, Maccabi doubled their advantage when Guerrero left a ball for Cohen who sent it behind the Bnei Yehuda keeper. The visitor’s tried to cut the lead in the 38’ but Bar Shimon’s chance went out as Guy Tzarfati’s side took a 2:0 advantage into the break.

Second Half
Maccabi continued to press and control the pace of play and in the 52’ Yagudaev took the ball on the left side and cut into the box, but his terrific shot was saved by Niron to keep the score as is. 13 minutes later Yagudaev again was dangerous but Niron was in place once again and in the 69’ Bar Shimon from Bnei Yehuda tried his luck from long distance but his attempt went over the bar.

In the 71’ Daniel Peretz kept his clean sheet intact with a great save for Maccabi as the level of play began to drop over the final quarter hour of the game. Peretz once again was in place as Bnei Yehuda tried in vain to break the shutout in extra time as Maccabi took the 2:0 win.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Bnei Yehuda, 12:00 Ramle (U19)
The Under-19 side hosts the Little Derby against Bnei Yehuda on Matchday 25. The last time they faced each other Maccabi won 2:0 away on goals by Bar Cohen and an own goal. The Yellow & Blue are in 2nd place and the gap to first place Maccabi Petah Tikva is only 3 points.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion, 9:30 Kiryat Shalom 1 (U17)
The Yellow & Blue are in first place with a 13 point lead as they face the 12th place team on Matchday 25. Maccabi fell to Rishon the first time they played this season by the score of 3:1. Should the U17 squad win and the 2nd place side lose they will secure the league championship.

Maccabi Ahi Nazareth – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 17:15 Eliot Stadium Nazareth (U16)
Following last week’s win over Ramat HaSharon, the Under-16 side heads to an away contest on Matchday 25. Eran Sassi’s squad is in 2nd place and the host’s are in 14th. The last time the club’s met, Maccabi won 2:0.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem, 8:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15)
After recording a midweek win over Modiin the Under-15 squad host Katamon on Matchday 26. The Yellow & Blue are in first place with a 5 point lead while the visitor’s are in 11th place. The last time the two sides met in Jerusalem, Maccabi won 5:1.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fell to Hapoel Tel Aviv 1:0 in the Round of 16 of the State Cup at the Wolfson training ground.

Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Yoav Hofmayster, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer (Nadav Nidam 68’), Mufleh Shalata (Omri Ram 81’), Ido Shahar, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen (Tal Yagudaev 81’), Eyal Hen (Gil Ben Shalosh 62’)

First Half
Both sides played cautious football to begin and Maccabi’s first chance was on a long ball to Guerrero but his chance missed the target. In the 40’ Shalata’s corner found Mahluf but his ball was blocked by a defender an just before the break Hen tried his luck from 18 meters but his shot went by the post.

Second Half
Cohen’s 57’ chance went off the bar and ten minutes later Hapoel almost took the lead but their opportunity missed the target. However, in the 79’ a Maccabi handball led to a Hapoel penalty which Tomer Gever converted for a 1:0 lead.

The Yellow & Blue’s 87’ attempt by Shahar just missed the goal as they continued to press for an equalizer but couldn’t find it and were eliminated from Cup play.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 2:2 Hapoel Beer Sheva
After the international break the Under-19 side returned to the pitch and drew 2:2 against Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday 24 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Beer Sheva took a 2:0 lead but the Yellow & Blue were able to comeback to draw even late in the match thanks to goals by Ido Hagar has Tal Yagudaev. Guy Tzarfati’s squad currently sits in 2nd place, 3 points off the top of the table side, Maccabi Petah Tikva. For the full Match Report click here.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 3:0 Hapoel Nir Ramat HaSharon
After defeating Beitar Jerusalem in the State Cup last week, the Under-16 squad continued their positive momentum as they defeated Ramat Hasharon on Matchday 24 of league action. Head Coach Eran Sassi’s side recorded an important home win as Jan Shalata, Rotem Grama and Yonatan Paz all scored. Head Coach Eran Sassi summed up the win: “We played well right from the get go and we showed a lot of patience knowing that our opponent would play defensive football. However, we were still able to get to a number of chances to score because we sent quick balls forward and long balls throughout the match. We slowed down the pace a bit in the second half but we were a of to play well defensively and not concede a goal.”

Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 0:1 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv
The Under-15 squad took home the win over Rishon Le’Zion thanks to Oral Bahia’s goal and increased their lead atop the table to two points. Head Coach Ori David spoke about the match that was: “This was a well played game by the team despite the poor weather conditions. We had many chances from the first minutes and thankfully we were able to score near the end of the contest. I’m proud of the guys.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will face Hapoel Tel Aviv in a Round of 16 matchup in the Under-19 State Cup on Tuesday at 15:00. The Yellow & Blue will visit Wolfson for this knockout Derby contest as the team held their final training session this evening under the direction of head coach Guy Tzarfati.

Tzarfati: “This match has a number of interesting factors associated with it. The first thing is that it’s an away match, the second it’s a Derby and the third it’s a knockout State Cup clash which are always difficult as we will have just one chance to advance to the next stage.”

Derby:
“Derby matches are always tough battles and our opponent is a quality one with national team players. We have a difficult match in front of us.”

Motivation:
“We don’t have to take about being motivated for a match like this and the players who have grown up through the Maccabi ranks know exactly what type of energy is needed when you get to play a Derby. We have to be cool, calm and collected while bringing our best effort to the pitch. I believe we will be able to do that and advance to the next stage.”

The Under-19 squad entered the State Cup competition last round against Maccabi Petah Tikva who took a 1:0 lead in the 61’ thanks to a penalty. Playing with only ten men, Maccabi was able to draw even five minutes later as Ido Shahar scored for the Yellow & Blue and eventually won via penalty shootout 4:1.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv hosted Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday 24 of the Israel Youth Premier League and entered the contest 4 points off the top of the table while the visitor’s found themselves in 4th place.

Starting XI: Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glezer (Tal Yagudaev 84’), Tomer Mahluf, Ido Shahar, Omri Ram (Gil Ben Shalosh 60’), Yoav Hofmayster (Nadav Nidam 46’), Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen (Rave Assayag 69’) Eyal Hen (Mufleh Shalata 46’).

First Half
Maccabi’s first chance came in the 8’ but Ram’s header went out but 4 minutes later Beer Sheva found the back of the goal following a corner as Daniel Karadi gave the visitors a 1:0 lead.

In the 18’ Beer Sheva grabbed a 2:0 advantage when Nir Itzkovic scored via a header. Maccabi had a chance to cut the lead in the 29’ but Hen’s attempt was saved by the keeper.

Second Half
Tzarfati made 3 substitutions at the break to freshen up the attic and in the 52’ Chilaka’s header missed the target and 11 minutes later Gil Ben Shalosh’s opportunity came up short.

In the 66’ Shalata’s attempt missed and in the 73’ Ben Shalosh’s chance went out. Finally in the 80’ Maccabi pulled a goal back via a 20’ shot from Shahar that skipped into the goal, 2:1 Beer Sheva.

The Yellow & Blue pressed for the equalizer and in the 87’ Ben Shalosh’s chance was saved by the keeper. However in the 90’ Yagudaev pounced on a rebound and scored from 8 meters out to draw even and split the points.