Zarko Lazetic ahead of Netanya

Ben Aharon: We’re doing our best in trying conditions

Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team coach Eliezer Ben Aharon discusses how his players are continuing to train and stay as prepared as possible while the coronavirus crisis forces them to stay at home

The coronavirus crisis has made it hard to hold any sporting activity or to be able to maintain a football team in full fitness and activities at Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth team are being held by “remote control” as each individual worries about their own and their families’ health.

The coaching staff of the under-19 team, Maccabi “Shahar,” have created a weekly work programme for the players and they all keep in touch with each other and monitor progress using the Zoom app, head coach Eliezer Ben Aharon said.

“At the moment we are mainly working on strength and stability and our fitness coach, Tal Volik, is in charge of putting the players through their paces. In the current circumstances it’s very important for the players to be able to maintain their fitness as much as possible,” Ben Aharon said. He added that the players are also engaged in video analysis of their performances in matches this season, and the goalkeepers also have their own training routine. Other ideas are being worked on to keep the players in form and will be added later, he said.

The team hold three online coaching sessions during the week with the staff, while the rest of the time is devoted to individual work when it is up to the players to look after themselves. “We are not policing the players and don’t need them to show us what they are doing, but they know very well that if they don’t work to keep up their fitness, they will fall badly behind when we get back to our regular schedule. I expect the players to all work according to the programme that has been devised, and to work on aspects that require more attention and to build up their physical strength. “Each player who needs help or who has a query can ask an available fitness coach who is available to respond.” Ben Aharon said that dietary issues were also being controlled by the club and that each player knows what they need to eat, and when.

On a personal level, Ben Aharon said that he is using the time to take stock of the season so far and to better himself when play resumes. “I want to improve what I do in every way, and this is a good opportunity to raise my level as a coach. “I must also add that it is very gratifying to see the team do all it can to maintain fitness levels and it is a good sign that the culture that our coaches have created at the Academy is gaining the response from the players almost without exception. It’s also good to see that the players’ families are involved,” Ben Aharon said.

He called on all coaches and players to adopt the same approach and continue to train and keep fit as much as possible so that when the time comes to return to action, it will be much easier for everybody.

“Maccabi Tel Aviv is a family that stays united as it aims to remain the best youth academy even in these trying times,” he said.

The coronavirus crisis has made it hard to hold any ...

Nadav Nidam’s daily schedule on Instagram

The Youth Academy is currently confronting the coronavirus lockdown together with the rest of the country and U19 midfielder Nadav Nidam has let us into his world

The current state of affairs has us all confined to our homes and this was a chance for Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth team midfielder Nadav Nidam to give us a glimpse of his daily life. It’s on the Academy’s Instagram account and you can watch it here.

The current state of affairs has us all confined to ...

Youth teams’ manager keeping it all together

While all sport is suspended, MTA's youth teams are operating by "remote control," with coaches & players communicating through video. It’s up to Eliel Horovitz to ensure that everything is working to plan

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Youth Academy has stopped operating in their regular mode because of the coronavirus pandemic but the players and the coaching staff are continuing to work independently from home much with the help of video communications. The person responsible for ensuring that everybody keeps in touch is Eliel Horovitz, the manager of the club’s youth teams.

Horovitz came to Israel from Argentina at age six and has always been surrounded in football. Although he was never a player, he knew that he would have a career in the Beautiful Game which he loves dearly. Before coming to Maccabi, he was involved in football TV production and at a player agency. He has qualified as a coach and holds a UEFA-A licence.

“I have been a Maccabi fan ever since I started watching football, and I remember Avi Nimni wearing a bandage around his head, although I can’t remember if that is accurate, it has remained etched in my mind,” Horovitz said. He jumped at the opportunity to work for Maccabi after four previous years’ of involvement in football, “I didn’t have to think twice when the opportunity arose,” he said.

“(Maccabi Tel Aviv) is the best place in Israel to advance and to learn about the job,” he added. Horovitz began as a coach with youngsters and had great success, and after a season, he was offered a position on the administrative side to manage the club’s youth teams.

Among his responsibilities are ensuring that all the elements among the youth outfits, the coaching staff and players, know what they are supposed to do and when. Horovitz is in charge of creating schedules as befits a club with the aspirations and size of Maccabi Tel Aviv. It can involve ensuring that players who have recently been drafted into the military receive the help to secure time off for training and matches, and looking after foreign players and ensuring they are welcomed and made to feel at home.

“It’s very hard to define the role in a narrow sense, as it involves many aspects, and I have to be ready to respond to any situation that may arise at any time. That is never easy when you work for a large club like Maccabi.”

With the players and coaches currently confined to their homes because of the cornonavirus outbreak, the club faces a previously unknown challenge. Horovitz is in the same predicament as everybody else.

“The past days and most likely the coming weeks will be particularly tough for everybody. This is certainly true in our field too. We have all been operating under strict rules from day one and we are passing on instructions to the players about their need to behave responsibly while continuing to train as much as possible and at the same time, keep up their morale. The fitness coaches are in continual contact with the players and are monitoring their health situation so that they can carry out their fitness training alone at home. Let’s hope that this situation will be as short as is feasibly possible.”

Horovitz is the one charged with ensuring that the younger players know the rules that will help them in the future. “I’m the ‘bad policeman’ who keeps constant watch to ensure that the players are following instructions, are carrying out their tasks and are behaving correctly and in line with what the club expects of them. It is important for the players to set an example as befits Maccabi Tel Aviv, and as individuals.”

Horovitz is also the go-to guy to assist the players and sort out problems. “Balancing between the two roles is what the job is all about,” he says.

On a personal level, Horovitz says that the challenges of the job are a constant learning experience and he’s improving day to day in everything he does.

“There is a lot of pressure and things change all the time. It’s different to anything else I have known in a normal job, but working at a place I believe in and am proud of makes it a calling. I know I want to give more of myself and improve.”

While he looks ahead, for the foreseeable future, Horovitz still sees himself in the role for at least the coming year, because making longer-term plans are irrelevant, he said.

And while he continues to develop in the role, he doesn’t forget the fun side of the job and the importance of keeping a smile and laughing “because without the humour, there wouldn’t be much point in choosing such a profession.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Youth Academy has stopped operating in their ...

working from home: U16 interview

Despite the suspension of activities, the players keep fit and in form with the help of a home training programme devised by the coaching staff. We spoke with 4 U16 players about this unusual situation

The coronavirus outbreak has forced the suspension of all sporting activity throughout the country and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s U16 team are affected just like everybody else, but they are doing their best to keep in shape with a home training programme devised by the Academy’s coaching staff.

Four of the boys have talked about how they view the situation in these unusual times.

Eliran Gomelsky, goalkeeper, 16, is a Manchester City fan and enjoys the way they play a high attacking game. Gomelsky follows German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and hopes that in 10 years’ time he will be playing in England after taking on the mantle of Maccabi’s first-choice man between the posts.

Adir Cordoba, full back, 16, enjoys playing with a ball on the beach and listening to music. He admires Bayern Munich’s style and says: “They do their best to crush the opposition in every game.” He admires Everton’s Yerry Mina and says he has “worked hard to get to where he is today.” Adir also hopes to be play for the national team and lead them to great achievements.

Roei Nawi, midfielder and captain, 16, is a fan of Luka Modric, whom he says is “always calm on the ball and contributes so much in defence and in attack.” He also admires coach Jurgen Klopp and hopes that in 10 years’ time he will captain the Maccabi first team and become a significant national team player.

Amit Tzur, forward, 15.5, likes all kinds of sports but says: “Thanks to football, I understand so many other types of sport and how to play in the best possible way.” He enjoys watching Brazil and feels he has been able to learn something from the play of the best wingers in the world. “I have observed their movement and style of play and try
to copy that in my actions.”

Gomelsky said that he greatly misses being able to play at the moment. “It’s something that I do every day, and I think about it all the time, so the feeling of being unable to play for a while is very strange and is not good.”

Cordoba also said that “It’s very sad. For me, football is not only a hobby or a game, it has become a way of life.”

The players are managing to keep active and Nawi said that he and his teammates were following the Youth Academy training programme at home.

Tzur, who plays up front, said that he feels he’s managed to improve from one session to
the next, not only in soccer but in discipline, quick thinking and teamwork.

Gomelsky said: ” I am learning to cope with pressure and how to confront situations when things are not going well when you know you have to soldier on. It strengthens me not only in play, but in my daily life.”

Cordoba talked of the additional early morning training sessions that the Academy has added recently and said: “I believe that these sessions are the most significant of the week because it is when we are most focused and when we can work on our individual
tasks and shortcomings.

Nawi said the players were lucky to receive preferential treatment which “allows each player to progress according to the needs defined by his position in the team lineup. He also said that having two coaches was a “huge advantage.

Tzur said the additional off-pitch activities such as video review and mental training were having a big influence in play too. “Physical training helps prevent injuries and increase our playing ability, but being able to review our performance after the event helps us realise how we might have performed and how to avoid difficult situations.”

The coronavirus outbreak has forced the suspension of all sporting ...

Youth Academy suspends activities

Maccabi Tel Aviv's Youth Academy has suspended all activities until at least Saturday, The office can be contacted by phone for queries Sunday-Thursday 10:00-12:00

Due to Health Ministry orders, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy is suspending all its training activities at all sites until at least Saturday.
The office will be available to answer queries over the phone (03-6806169) between 10:00-12:00, Sunday to Thursday.

Due to Health Ministry orders, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth ...

U13 NORTH NAMED FEBRUARY PIZZA PREGO TEAM

Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy's heads have chosen North under-13s as their outstanding team of the month, an initiative sponsored by Pizza Prego

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-13 North team have been named the outstanding team of the month by the club’s Youth Academy, a prize sponsored by Pizza Prego.

Academy heads Patrick van Leeuwen and Guy Zuckerman picked the side that train at Tel Aviv University and the boys celebrated with a meal sponsored by Pizza Prego on Tuesday. They are the fifth team to feature in the pick for the prize.

Each month Van Leeuwen and Zuckerman choose their outstanding team for the period but results are not necessarily the main factor when they make their pick, rather, the behaviour of the boys and their demeanour off the field of play too.

“Each month we will pick a side not only according to their results but also through their behaviour and the way in which they train. These will be our criteria to pick sides either from the southern base at Kiryat Shalom or the northern branch at the university,” Zuckerman said.

“Our cooperation with Pizza Prego has been very fruitful from our perspective, and we are very pleased that we can reward the kids and give them a good feeling. It helps team bonding and shows commitment by both parties,” he added.

He said the cooperation with Pizza Prego was very welcome and made the boys’ celebration complete.

U13 North are coached by Alon Peleg and his assistant, Alon Hameiri. The goalkeeping coach is Shai Hess and the fitness trainer is Idan Bachar.

The team participate in league play, although in an unofficial capacity. They have advanced to the last-16 of the State Cup, having beaten Ironi Gedera and Ironi Nesher.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-13 North team have been named the ...

All age group games called off until further notice

As part of the effort to battle the coronavirus outbreak, the Israel Football Association has ordered the cancellation of all youth and junior matches until further notice.

The Israel Football Association has ordered the immediate cancellation of all youth and junior games as part of national efforts to try to reduce the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and no tentative date has yet been proposed for a resumption of activities.

Israel Football Association Chairman Oren Hasson said in a statement: “Our decision was taken because we view the safety of coaches, club officials, players and the general public with utmost importance. We had hoped to be able to continue to hold matches despite the challenging situation but we must act responsibly in line with the national interest and also take heed of the calls from worried parents.
This has been a painful decision but we will convene in the near future with health officials to consider our next steps with the hope that we will be able to resume normal activities as soon as possible.”

The Israel Football Association has ordered the immediate cancellation of ...

Youth results this weekend

Under 19s draw with Ramat Hasharon but U17 and U15 both registered wins on Saturday

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19s drew 1-1 with host Ramat Hasharon on Saturday in league action and required an equaliser for a share of the points despite controlling much of the action.

The hosts were first on the score sheet when Tal Yagodiev received a good through-ball and he slotted home past Maccabi ‘keeper Ben Musayof. Maccabi “Shahar” then levelled in the 70th minute when Parfait Guiagon completed a good 1-2 move with Rave Asayag before the Cote d’Ivoire player rolled the ball in for the equaliser and a share of the points.

Maccabi Tel Aviv “Oded” 2, Ironi Nesher 1: U17registered an important home win in the 20th round of their division through second-half goals by Dor Turgeman and Uri Halevy that kept them top of the standings. Nesher reduced the arrears in the 70th minute and ten minutes later they had a penalty, but it was well saved by Roei Amedi in the Maccabi goal.

Hapoel Ramat Gan 1, Maccabi Tel Aviv “Eldad” 3: First half goals by Osher Bruchim and Roey Zerzevsky and another in the second half by Agam Hanoun did the damage for U15. Ramat Gan got a consolation goal in the dying seconds.

U16 did not have a fixture this Saturday.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19s drew 1-1 with host Ramat Hasharon ...

Maccabi Shachar draw 1-1 with Ramat Hasharon

The under-19s controlled much of the game but it was not good enough for victory and they needed an equaliser for a share of the points

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19s drew 1-1 with host Ramat Hasharon on Saturday in league action and required an equaliser for a share of the points despite controlling much of the action.

The hosts were first on the scoresheet after both sides had earlier missed the target when in the 26th minute, Tal Yagodiev received a good through-ball and he slotted home past Maccabi ‘keeper Ben Musayof.

Ramat Hasharon came close to scoring a second in the 34th minute but were denied by Musayof’s crossbar.

Maccabi increased the pressure in the second period and after a couple of opportunities, they finally levelled the score in the 70th minute when Parfait Guiagon completed a good 1-2 move with Rave Asayag before the Cote d’Ivoire player rolled the ball in for the equaliser.

Riding the momentum, Maccabi might have had a second goal within a minute, but Asayag headed wide.

Nadav Nidam, who came on as substitute, had a good shot saved in the 78th, and just before the end, Poraz Velkovich, the Ramat Hasharon ‘keeper, did well to save another dangerous shot, this time from Ronen Hanchis.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19s drew 1-1 with host Ramat Hasharon ...

Maccabi youth action on Saturday

Maccabi Tel Aviv's under-19s will play at Ramat Hasharon while U17 host Ironi Nesher and U15 face Hapoel Ramat Gan

Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar” will play away to Hapoel Ramat Hasharon on Saturday at noon in the 23rd round of action of the under-19 youth league and will look to repeat the success from their previous meeting this season when they won 3-0.

U17 division leaders Maccabi Tel Aviv “Oded” host Ironi Nesher at Kiryat Shalom at 11:00 in the 20th round of action, a clash between the top and bottom sides in the division. Nesher have managed only two wins this season and won’t want a repeat of their 5-1 drubbing in their first meeting.

U15 will be away to Hapoel Ramat Gan at the Hashikma ground at 14:30 in the 20th round of their division. Maccabi Tel Aviv “Eldad” are fourth in the standings, their hosts are in 13th spot. Again, Maccabi’s boys will look for another win against their opponents to back up their 5-0 victory the last time they met.

U16 are not in action this weekend.

Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar” will play away to Hapoel Ramat ...