Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visited Hapoel Nir Ramat Hasharon at Grundman Stadium on Matchday 11 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The Yellow & Blue find themselves in 8th place while the hosts sit in 12th. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s attack featured Or Dasa who returned to the squad, Eylon Almog and William Agada. Daniel Peretz was in goal while Amit Mordehayov Alon Shtrozberg, Fadi Najar Tomer Machluf, Tamir Glazer, Eden Kartsev and Prince Thomas were also on the pitch at the start of the contest.
First Half
The match began with Ramat Hasharon threatening the Maccabi goal in the 2’ but the Yellow & Blue defense cleared the ball to safety while two minutes later, Peretz needed to be alert as he made the save on a tough shot and sent it out for a corner. The next twenty minutes or so saw the game being played in the midfield with no clear chances on either goal.
In the 25’ Ramat Hasharon again threatened the Macabi goal as Peretz made a fine save off an attempt from long distance. The Yellow & Blue then went on the attack as Agada took the ball on the right and sent it to Almog on the left wing who left it off for Kartzev, but his scorcher was just saved by the keeper’s fingertips. In the 32’ Maccabi had another chance when Agada crossed the ball to Almog who in turn sent it into the box to Thomas, but his opportunity went over the bar.
Six minutes later, Almog volleyed the ball towards the goal but the keeper again made a superb save and in the 40’ Dasa sent a through ball to Agada who was alone in front of the goal, but his attempt just missed the post by centimeters and went out.
Second Half
The Yellow & Blue controlled the second half from the get go and in the 55’ their pressure paid off. Kartzev made his way towards the box and sent a gorgeous through ball to Thomas who made no mistake and put it behind the Ramat Hasharon keeper for a 1:0 lead.
Four minutes later, Maccabi again had a terrific chance as Kartzev sent a ball to Dasa on the right who left it for Thomas, but his header just went by the post. Eyal Hen came on as a substitute and in the 80’ he broke by two players and crossed the ball into the box, but it flew over everybody’s heads and went out. Ramat Hasharon had one final chance in the 90’ on free kick but the ball went into the Yellow & Blue defense as the match ended with Maccabi taking home a 1:0 victory for their 3rd win in a row. This coming Saturday the young Yellow & Blue will face Maccabi Netanya who currently sit in 1st place.
