Youth weekend fixtures results
Maccabi Tel Aviv's under-19s were upset 3-1 at home by lowly Hapoel Rishon Lezion on Saturday while U17 lost to Hapoel Haifa. U16 and U15 both drewHapoel Rishon Lezion registered a big upset on Saturday by beating their hosts, Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar,” 3-1 in Ness Ziona in under-19 league action. Maccabi, second in the standings, were the favourites going into the clash against their opponents, who are 14th in the division.
Adir Rothstein scored twice and Mohammed Bamba once for Rishon while Tal Torgeman hit the target for Maccabi.
Hosts Hapoel Haifa beat Maccabi Tel Aviv “Oded” 2-0 at Kiryat Haim but Maccabi’s U17 side remain at the top of their division after 19 rounds of play, two points ahead of Hapoel Tel Aviv.
U16 were hosted by Hapoel Raanana and drew 1-1 in the 21st round of their division to remain second in the standings, seven points off the pace. Oscar Gloch scored for Maccabi “Eli Fuchs.”
U15, playing at home, were involved in a high-scoring draw with Maccabi Haifa in the 19th round of action. They led 4-2 with only minutes to go, but two injury time goals by Haifa saw share of the points. Maccabi’s goals were scored by Roey Zerzevsky, Maor Ben Nun, Agam Hanoun and Osher Bruchim.
Hapoel Rishon Lezion registered a big upset on Saturday by ...
Youth team upset by Hapoel Rishon Lezion
Maccabi Tel Aviv's "Shahar" team beaten 3-1 by visitors Hapoel Rishon Lezion in the 22nd round of action of under-19 leagueHapoel Rishon Lezion registered a big upset on Saturday by beating their hosts, Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar,” 3-1 in Ness Ziona in under-19 league action.
Maccabi, second in the standings, were the favourites going into the clash against their opponents, who are 14th in the division.
Rishon scored in the fifth minute through a long range strike by Adir Rothstein. The visitors might have scored a second goal within three minutes through Mohammed Bamba, but Maccabi were saved by the post.
Maccabi made a great effort to get back on level terms soon afterwards but were unable to find the target on a number of occasions.
Rishon got their second goal in the 75th minute from a corner when Bamba was on hand to tap in from close range.
Maccabi finally scored in the 90th minute when Tal Torgeman struck a volley, but any hope they might have had of levelling the score as they tried to push forward for the equaliser were undone in the dying seconds when Rothstein sealed the result with his second goal of the match.
Hapoel Rishon Lezion registered a big upset on Saturday by ...
Weekend youth fixtures
Maccabi "Shahar" are back in league action at home against Rishon Lezion while U17 play away at Hapoel Haifa, U16 are in Raanana and U15 host Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19 side will host Hapoel Rishon Lezion at their home ground in Ness Ziona on Saturday at 11:00. Maccabi go into their 22nd round fixture in second place in the standings and will be confident after their State Cup eighth round victory during the week as they face opposition who are 14th in the standings. Maccabi won the first encounter between the two 1-0 earlier this season.
Elsewhere, U17, who lead their division, are away to Hapoel Haifa at Kiryat Haim at noon in the 19th round of action. They too will be confident of victory against Haifa who are next to bottom. Maccabi won the first meeting 1-0.
U16 play away against Hapoel Raanana at 8:30 in the 21st round of action. They too won their first meeting this season 1-0.
U15 host Maccabi Haifa at Kiryat Shalom at 10:30 in the 19th round of action. Haifa are the division leaders and Maccabi’s boys are in fourth place seven points off the pace.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19 side will host Hapoel Rishon Lezion ...
Maccabi “Shahar” reach last-16 of State Cup
Maccabi Tel Aviv's under-19 youth side beat Hapoel Acre 3-1 to advance to the next stage of the State CupMaccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar” on Tuesday beat Hapoel Acre 3-1 in the eighth round of the State Cup, their first hurdle in the competition. Acre had already played three rounds in the tournament.
Maccabi were the more dominant side throughout but had to wait until added time in the first half when Ronen Hanchis pounced on a corner and shot sharply into the Acre net.
Maccabi added a second goal in the 57th minute when Parfait Guiagon made full use of a pass from Niv Berkovitz and he struck the ball home firmly from inside the area.
Acre pulled a goal back in the 84th minute, but Afek Sapir Navot made certain of the result in the 90th minute when after a 1-2 move with Guiagon, he shot powerfully from the edge of the area high into the Acre net.
Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar” on Tuesday beat Hapoel Acre 3-1 ...
Maccabi girls advance in State Cup on debut
Maccabi Tel Aviv's girls' team win first-ever Derby against Hapoel to reach last eight of State CupMaccabi Tel Aviv’s girls’ team made their debut in the State Cup on Sunday and faced Hapoel Tel Aviv winning 19-0 to reach the last eight of the competition.
The girls’ league is still in its infancy but Maccabi have already laid down a good foundation and have set up three age group teams. Sunday’s win was achieved by the girls’ team aged between 12-14. The youth team already compete regularly in the league, while the younger sides participate in various tournaments and training matches.
The female academy is run according to a programme prepared by performance director Patrick Van Leeuwen, and Dana Nissenboim has specific oversight of the girls teams. She is assisted by a team of coaches and support staff.
The girls’ academy is divided into three age groups according to year of birth: Youth (2001-05), Girls (2006-08) and Youngsters (2009-11).
Training includes three soccer sessions, physical fitness, video analysis, diet, mental coaching and medical assessment.
Girls interested in joining the club should call Dana Nissenboim on 050-6300-890.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s girls’ team made their debut in the ...
Weekend age group results
The under-19s away match against Beitar Jerusalem at Bayit Vagan was postponed, while the U17, U16 & U15' teams all wonMaccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19’s away league fixture against Beitar Jerusalem was called off on Saturday because the wet weather conditions made the Bayit Vagan pitch unplayable and the match will be played at a later date.
Maccabi Tel Aviv “Oded,” U17, scored a comfortable 3-0 win over Hapoel Beersheba in the 18th round of league action and have maintained their place at the top of the standings. Dor Turgeman scored twice and Zin Shalata added the third.
U16 and U15 both played in the State Cup and also registered wins. Maccabi Tel Aviv “Eli Fuchs,” U16, scored an emphatic 4-1 victory over Hapoel Rishon Lezion to reach the quarter-finals with Maccabi’s goals scored by Oscar Gloch (two) and Orel Baya and Yakir Zilberman.
Maccabi Tel Aviv “Eldad,” U15, were also clear winners over Hapoel Tel Aviv and their three goals without reply were scored by Tom Bloch, who hit two, and Lior Yosef.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s under-19’s away league fixture against Beitar Jerusalem ...
Youth fixtures this weekend
Maccabi Tel Aviv's under-19s travel to Bayit Vagan to play Beitar Jerusalem while U17 return from their break to host Hapoel Beesheba. U16 and U15 will be at home in the State CupBeitar Jerusalem will host Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar” at Bayit Vagan on Saturday at 11:00 in the under-19 youth league. It will be a test of character for Maccabi’s players who take the field after their 6-1 win over Bnei Sakhnin last week. In their previous meeting this season, Maccabi won 1-0 in Ness Ziona thanks to an 86th minute goal by Itai Ben Hemo.
In the junior fixtures, Maccabi Tel Aviv “Oded”, U17, host Hapoel Beersheba at Kiryat Shalom at 11:00 in a return to action following an international break. Maccabi lead their division, while Beersheba are in eighth place and the boys will also hope for another win following their 7-1 victory in the south in their first meeting this season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv “Eli Fuchs,” U16, and Maccabi Tel Aviv “Eldad,” U15, will host respective opponents Hapoel Rishon Lezion and Hapoel Tel Aviv in last-16 State Cup action at Kiryat Shalom at 08:30 and 11:00.
Beitar Jerusalem will host Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar” at Bayit ...
Youth Academy train according to European standards
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Youth Academy has increased its activities in recent years and we spoke to four under-19 players to hear their impressionsThe under-19 league season is at its height, and coach Eliezer Ben Aharon’s players are holding their own in second place in the standings as the final third of the campaign is in full flow.
Four leading squad players spoke to us and gave us their perspective on how the season has progressed and how they have benefitted from being part of the Maccabi Tel Aviv “Shahar” squad.
These are our four squad members:
Omer Itzhaki, 19, central defender and captain, has been at Maccabi for a decade, loves to watch Lionel Messi and Barcelona. He hopes that in 10 years’ time he will be playing at the highest level of the game.
Ben Musayof, 17, goalkeeper has taken his place between the posts in his first season with the big boys after winning the Boys A title last year. He’s a fan of Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and wants to be the senior team’s captain in 10 years’ time.
Guy Mizrahi, 18, a right-back, is another product of the Maccabi youth academy. He has supported Arsenal since age six. He likes to watch box sets and play tennis.
Omri Ram, 18, a right-winger, is in his second season with the youth team and apart from football, he enjoys swimming which he says helps him to “switch off.” He loves to watch 
Liverpool’s passionate play.
Musayof said that he has been exposed to the best possible training at the Academy. “I work with the best coaches and fitness trainers in the country and I feel a great improvement in many aspects, including my footwork and with aerial play. Maccabi’s approach is that the goalkeeper is an additional player to the 10 colleagues ahead of him. He can also create tactical situations, so we also work hard on aspects which are more appropriate for non goalkeepers.”
Ram said mental preparation was an important focus. “I feel that I have improved thanks to talks I have with our mental coach and through the training obstacles that the team places before us to challenge us. We are also taught how to play simply, just like at the highest levels.”
Mizrahi said the values that the players are imbibed with “are very important, and the 
improvement can be seen in many aspects.”
Itzhaki spoke of his the changes he has experienced personally. “I have been at the club for over a decade and if I look at myself at the start of my journey compared to where I am today, I feel that I have improved out of all recognition.”
Ram said that morning training has added an additional aspect to specific points, while Musayof said that he preferred the early sessions during the week “to start the day with the things I like to do most. Nothing could be better.”
Mizrahi said: “It’s a huge bonus for me and my teammates and we should all appreciate every additional training session we receive.”
Mizrahi said Maccabi’s players were lucky to get more training than most other clubs who do not train in the morning. “When you join the sessions as a young player, you get to understand that football is not only a pastime for you, but that this is what you are going to do in your life in the foreseeable future.”
Additional training aids are also crucial for player development and as Mizrahi said: “It proves that the Academy is working to give the players the best possible tools to 
improve their skills and to advance the team as a whole.”
The broad team of professionals are there to help with all aspects, including learning from past mistakes, Musayof said.
All the players were thankful for the international tournament held earlier this year.
“Playing against good teams from abroad is something that can help improve us in so many aspects,” Musayof said.
“These sorts of events have allowed us to experience international competition, and that is the sort of level we need to aspire to,” Ram added.
Mizrahi said the form displayed by Maccabi, who won the six-team tournament that included three European teams, gave a push to raise the level, but Itzhaki summed up by saying that “winning this event three years in a row should not be taken for granted. It shows that the Academy has prepared us according to European standards.”
The under-19 league season is at its height, and coach ...
Maccabi’s late flurry a rare event
The three goals scored late in the match against Kiryat Shmona are one of a select few occasions when the club has closed out a match so convincingly in the late stagesWith just a week to go until the Tel Aviv Derby against Hapoel next Monday, Maccabi have delivered a crucial result and have restored their lead over Maccabi Haifa at the top of the TASE Premier League standings to six points.
The 3-0 win over Hapoel Kiryat Shmona on Sunday night came thanks to three goals scored between the 75th and 86th minutes, and a glance at the history books shows that it is the 51st time in which the club have managed to score three goals within 11 minutes. The previous occasion was during the 6-0 win over Maccabi Haifa at the end of the 2015-16 season.
But rarer still, is that this was only the third time ever that Maccabi have opened their scoring account in the 75th minute and then gone on to score two more goals. The previous two occasions were against Maccabi Netanya in January 1018 and December 1949.
This was also the 19th time this season in which Maccabi have kept a clean sheet and they are now just two games away from equalling the all time league record for a season.
In attack, Maccabi have scored at least three goals in six out of their last eight league wins and while they left it late on Sunday, individual records were also updated as Yonatan Cohen, who scored the first goal of the match, raised his season’s tally to ten league goals. This put him third overall in the league and top among Maccabi’s players.
The winger also added a third assist in his last four games and he leads the league in this category with nine overall. Cohen is also second in the league in delivering telling passes, having racked up 17 so far.
Omer Atzili also continued his fine form, scoring the second goal and setting up the third. He has seven goals and seven assists and is third in the league.
Chico Ofoedu scored the third goal for a total of eight this season is second among the club’s scorers and fourth in the league.
Dan Glazer returned to his position in defensive midfield and has reached 92 successful dispossessions this season, putting him at the top of the list. He and Jair Amador shared nine successful dispossessions during the win over Kiryat Shmona.
Eyal Golasa registered two telling passes out of three attempts, one of which put Cohen through for the second goal that came thanks to Atzili’s cross in from the left.
With just a week to go until the Tel Aviv ...
Weekend youth results
Maccabi’s under-19s inflicted a 6-1 drubbing on Bnei Sakhnin while U16 beat Hadera and U15 got a good away win over Beitar Jerusalem at Bayit VaganMaccabi “Shahar” Tel Aviv displayed their full dominance over visitors Bnei Sakhnin at Ness Ziona in their under-19 league clash on Saturday and delivered a thrashing that consolidated their second place in the division as RonenAsayag hit a hat trick, Ronen Hanchis scored twice and Yahli Lazar added another in a famous victory.
U16 continued their run of victories in the 21st round of action in their division and registered a 1-0 win over Hapoel Hadera, the goal being scored by Orel Baya.
U15 came back from Bayit Vagan with a 2-0 win over hosts Beitar Jerusalem in the 18th round of action in their league with Osher Bruchim and Roy Zersevsky scoring the goals.
U17 were not in action as the national team in their age group are playing in a friendly tournament in Germany.
Maccabi “Shahar” Tel Aviv displayed their full dominance over visitors ...
