Youth Department Action, Saturday April 14, 2018

Maccabi “Shachar” will look to stay atop the table when they play at Ashkelon while the U17’s can sew up the championship against Hapoel Haifa. That and all of the other Youth Department action is inside

Hapoel Ashkelon – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 11:30 Ashkelon Synthetic (U19)
Following a win over Hapoel Beer Sheva last Matchday, the Under-19 squad heads to Ashkelon on Matchday 25 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The Yellow & Blue are currently in 1st place with a 2-point lead over 2nd place Maccabi Netanya while Ashkelon is in last place with one league win to their record.

Hapoel “Ben Zion” Haifa – Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, 11:00 Kiryat Haim (U17)
The Under-17 side can take home the league championship when they visit Hapoel Haifa on Matchday 25. The young Yellow & Blue are in 1st place with a 16-point lead with 5 games to go in the season and a win will give them the league title for the 3rd straight campaign. Hapoel Haifa sits in 13th place with 6 league victories.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Nir” Ramat HaSharon, 10:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U16)
After moving into 1st place last Matchday, the U16 team will host Ramat HaSharon at Kiryat Shalom. There are currently 4 clubs even on points but the young Yellow & Blue are in 1st place due to a better goal differential. The visitors are in 7th place with a streak of 6 wins out of 7 contests.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Maccabi Yaffo Kabilyo, 8:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15 South)
The Under-15 South side enter Matchday 26 in 1st place with a 5 point lead. The visitors are in 10th with 3 losses out of their last 4 games.

Hapoel Raanana – Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv, 9:00 Raanana Park North Synthetic (U15 North)
The Under-15 North squad will look to keep up their positive momentum when they visit Raanana on Matchday 26 as they come into the contest with 3 wins out of their last 4 games while scoring 18 goals and conceding 2 during that time. Raanana is in 6th with 5 straight wins.

Hapoel Ashkelon – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 11:30 Ashkelon Synthetic (U19) Following a ...

The Youth Department marks Yom HaShoa

Maccabi Tel Aviv commemorates Yom Hashoa - Holocaust Remembrance Day as the Youth Department looked at the connection of the Yellow Star and the Yellow & Blue shirt. The coaches also explained about the importance of the day

All across the country and around the world Yom Hashoa – Holocaust Remembrance Day is being commemorated as we all look back to the horrors the Jewish People experienced. The Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department marked the day as team after team spent time by a special memorial that was erected in the Youth Department courtyard. The coaches spoke about the importance of the Holocaust while a player from each squad read about the connection between the Yellow & Blue shirts and the Yellow Star that the Jews of Europe were forced to wear.

Here is the text that was read by the players:
Until the beginning of the 1940’s, the colours worn by Maccabi Tel Aviv were blue and white. In 1942, at the suggestion of one of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s players of the time, the late Yossef Merimovich, the colour yellow was adopted along with the traditional blue as a sign of solidarity with the Jews of Europe who were suffering the horrors of the Nazis and were forced to wear the infamous yellow star.

The stories of these horrors were “trickling” in to Israel and were a source of great pain to the Jewish community in Palestine, including the players of Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club. The news of the “yellow star” awoke in many long hidden emotions and Merimovich’s suggestion to adopt yellow along with blue as the team’s colour found wide support among the club’s management.

All across the country and around the world Yom Hashoa – Holocaust ...

Yellow & Blue Saturday Youth Department Results April 7, 2018

Maccabi “Shachar” remained in first place after defeating Beer Sheva, the U17 side scored 8, the Under-16 team moved to the top of the table while the U15’s also picked up important wins

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 4:2 Hapoel Beer Sheva “Shlosha”
After a two week break, the Under-19 side defeated Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday 24 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. Tomer Altman, Eylon Almog and William Agada with a brace scored for the host’s as they remained in first place. For the full Match Report Click Here.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 8:1 Hapoel Beer Sheva
After a midweek loss, their first of the season, the Under-17 squad won big against Beer Sheva. Bar Cohen and Rave Assayag scored braces as Gil Ben Shalosh, Ido Shachar, Shaked Navon and Asaf Hershko all scored for Maccabi as they remained in first place with a 16 point lead over their next closest rival. Next Matchday, Eliezer Ben Aharon’s side can lock up the championship with five games left in the season. Ben Aharon said: “After our first loss of the season on Wednesday, it was important to see the team rise to the occasion quickly and come back just as they’ve played all year long. We hadn’t beaten Beer Sheva both times we had played them and this was sweet sportsmanship revenge. They always play us the same way and they leave everyone in their own half looking to go on counterattacks. On our pitch it was a different story and it’s very hard to play against us that way and not give up any goals. The goals we scored in the first half finished the game off. We made some substitutes in the second half and it didn’t matter as we continued with the same pace of play and we scored another 4 nice team goals. As a staff, we enjoyed the motivation the players showed from the first minutes of the match. We play away at Hapoel Haifa on Saturday and if we win, the championship will be all sewed up with 5 matches to go.”

Hapoel Petah Tikva “Emanuel Ofir” 1:3 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv
The Under-16 club also came back to action with a victory defeating Hapoel Petah Tikva away on Matchday 25. Raymond Atteveld’s side continued its good momentum and have now scored 24 goals in 4 matches while the win moved Maccabi into first place due to a better goal differential. Tal Turgeman scored a hat trick in the win. Atteveld: “We scored in the 2’ and we had a number of other chances but we couldn’t convert them. We had a bit of trouble and we almost gave up a goal. We controlled the ball in the second half and instead of taking a shot at the right time we kept holding onto it. In football when you don’t take advantage of your opportunities the opponent will and they did just that on a through ball that helped draw the host’s even. We continued to create chances and we had good movement along the right wing which led to a cross into the box and our second goal. We then scored the third and didn’t have any problems after that as we kept the ball. We made things a bit difficult for ourselves but we’re still content with the end result.”

Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 0:1 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv
After a midweek win, the U15 South side defeated Rishon Le’Zion on Matchday 25 and also increased their lead atop the table to 5 points. Elad Kaplan scored the winner for Ori David’s squad: “We won a very tough away match against the 3rd place team. We came into the match prepared and ready to go and we went after our opponent’s weak spots while we also kept a clean sheet. I’m proud of the guys.”

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv 5:1 Hapoel Haifa “Nir”
The Under-15 North team continued their good run of play with a win on Matchday 25 as Asaf Heber’s squad is in 3rd place with 4 wins in a row and having scored 18 goals. Ben Linker, Yonatan Paz x2 and Aviv Pelles x2 scored for Maccabi. Heber: “We scored a goal right at the beginning of the match but Haifa was able to tie up the contest through some of their long balls. We spoke at halftime about what we needed the players to do and they picked up the pace by scoring 4 goals in the first 20 minutes of the half. We have to continue to teach the guys how to keep up the intensity from the opening minutes.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 4:2 Hapoel Beer Sheva “Shlosha” After a two week ...

Maccabi “Shachar” defeats Beer Sheva 4:2

The Under-19 side continued with their fine play as they picked up the Matchday 24 win over their southern rivals. Tomer Altman, Eylon Almog and William Agada with a brace helped Maccabi to the victory as they remained in first place

Maccabi “Shachar” hosted Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday 24 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al. The Yellow & Blue began the day in first place thanks to a win over Ashdod while Beer Sheva featured in 7th. The last time the two sides faced each other Maccabi took home a 2:0 win.

Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Noam Cohen, Alon Shtrozberg, Fadi Najar, Yoav Hofmayster, Amit Glazer, Tomer Altman, Prince Thomas, Mufleh Shalata, Eylon Almog, William Agada.

First Half
Maccabi looked dangerous from the get go as Cohen sent Thomas a ball in the box but his shot went off of the Beer Sheva defense and out in the 3’. However, 5 minutes later Hofmayster sent the ball to Almog who gave Altman a perfect cross in the box as he found the back of the goal for a 1:0 lead. The Yellow & Blue doubled the score in the 13’ when Shalata on the right wing sent the ball into the area to Agada who headed it home for a 2:0 advantage.

Beer Sheva cut the lead to 2:1 in the 19’ when Itamar Shviro came down the left side and gave striker King Kogana the ball which he headed in. The match continued to be played at a frantic pace as Guy Tzarfati’s squad scored their third of the contest in the 27’. Almog tried his luck from long distance as the keeper parried the ball right to Agada who sent the rebound into the goal for a 3:1 lead. Three minutes later Shtrozberg gave Agada a beauty of a through ball who in turn handed it off to Shalata but his attempt went into the visitor’s defense.

In the 41’ Agada almost added his third of the match when Almog gave him a gorgeous pass that the former sliced towards the goal but keeper Amit Keren made the save, while a minute later Shalata began a counter attack that allowed Almog a terrific opportunity for a one on one chance but his shot hit the side netting. Just before the break, Beer Sheva almost found their second goal but Yonatan Elias who had come on as a substitute sent his attempt into the Yellow & Blue defense as they took a 3:1 lead into the second half.

Second Half
The second half began with both sides playing a bit more tentatively with the first real chance coming in the 55’ for Beer Sheva but Peretz was up to the task. Shiviro had a nice opportunity for the visitor’s a minute later however, Peretz again made the stop in the 60’.

The pace continued to slow, but that didn’t stop Maccabi as they took a 4:1 lead in the 75’ when Almog scored on a perfect shot. Beer Sheva picked up their second of the game just before the final whistle via Elias as the contest ended in a 4:2 Yellow & Blue win.

Maccabi “Shachar” hosted Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday 24 of the Israel ...

Just like the best players in the world: Modric

The Youth Department project is continues. Episode 22 of the video series presents a new technical exercise which is taught at the club’s Academy. Watch the next special movement

Just like the best players in the world: The Brand New Youth Department Project

Just like the best players in the world: The Brand ...

Youth Department Action April 7, 2018

The Youth Department returns from the Passover break: 1st place Maccabi “Shachar” and the U17 side both host Hapoel Beer Sheva while the Under-16 and U15’s are also in action

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Beer Sheva “Shalosha”, 12:00 Ramle Stadium (U19)
After a two week break, the Under-19 side gets back to action as Guy Tzarfati’s side host’s Hapoel Beer Sheva on Matchday 24 in Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al play. The young Yellow & Blue will look to keep up the positive momentum and maintain their position in first place while the 7th place squad will look to trip Maccabi up. Last round, Maccabi defeated the Reds 2:0 at Wassermil Stadium.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Tel Aviv, 10:30 Kiryat Shalom 1 (U17)
The Under-17 squad returned to action this past Wednesday and fell for the first time this season to Maccabi Haifa. Eliezer Ben Aharon’s team sits in first place with a 15 point lead as they host Beer Sheva who haven’t won in 9 matches on Matchday 24.

Hapoel Petah Tikva “Emanuel Ofir” – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 8:30 Petah Tikva Sirkin Training 2 (U16)
The Under-16 club will head to Petah Tikva on Matchday 25 as Raymond Atteveld’s side having scored 21 goals in their last 3 contests and are in 2nd place. The host’s are in 12th place with a single victory in their last 6 matches.

Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, 11:00 Rishon Le’Zion Superland West Synthetic (U15 South)
Ori David’s Under-15 team defeated Ironi Modiin on Wednesday 4:0 and will look to take home another win on Matchday 25 while solidifying their 1st place standing when they visit 3rd place Petah Tikva. Last time the two faced each other the Yellow & Blue picked up the 8:1 win.

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Haifa “Nir”, 11:00 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15 North)
Following a midweek 3:0 win over Ramat HaSharon, the U15 North side will host the Haifa Reds on Matchday 25. The young Yellow & Blue are in 3rd place and are 8 points off the top of the table while Haifa is in 12th place and have won 2 matches out of their last 12.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Beer Sheva “Shalosha”, 12:00 Ramle Stadium ...

Just like the best players in the world: Xavi

The Youth Department project is continues. Episode 21 of the video series presents a new technical exercise which is taught at the club’s Academy. Watch the next special movement

Just like the best players in the world: The Brand New Youth Department Project

Just like the best players in the world: The Brand ...

The Under-17 Israel National Team advances to the Euros with 6 Maccabi representatives

The Under-17 Israel National Team advanced to the European Championships that will take place in May in England. Six Yellow & Blue Youth Department players were part of the said who helped punch the squad’s ticket to the Euro

The Under-17 Israel National Team made a huge step in European football this week when they advanced to the European Championships which will take place this May in England. The players earned the right to take part in the tournament after finishing second in the Elite Round. The group draw will take place next Thursday.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Under-17 players who appeared with the National team are: Dan Lugassi, Bar Cohen, Omri Ram, Nadav Nidam, Ido Shachar and Rave Assayag.

The Israel National Team defeated Romania 5:1 in their opening match but fell to Slovenia in their second contest 3:0. Gadi Brumer’s side was able to advance to the Euros by beating Hungary 1:0 for second place in the group and a ticket to the tournament.

The Under-17 Israel National Team made a huge step in European football ...

Yellow & Blue Youth Department Results March 24-25, 2018

Maccabi “Shachar” remains in first place after a big win at Ashdod, the Under-15 South side defeated Maccabi Yavne “Tzav Pius” while the U15 North squad scored 8 goals.All the details are inside

SC Ironi Ashdod 0:4 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv
The Under-19 team visited Ashdod on Matchday 23 of the Israel Youth Premier Leagus and took home the 3 points and the win. Guy Tzarfati’s side remained in first place due to a better goal differential over Maccabi Netanya as Eylon Almog, Tomer Altman, William Agada and Mufleh Shalata all scored for the Yellow & Blue. For the full Match Report Click Here.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 7:0 Maccabi Yavne “Tzav Pius”
After a midweek 6:1 win over Hapoel Ashkelon, the Under-15 South side remained atop the table in first place. Elad Kaplan and Oskar Gluk each scored a brace as Liel Shota, Ohad Mizrahi and Orel Azarzar scored for Ori David’s team as he summed up the victory: “We again played against a club that wanted to defend but an early goal opened the match up and it made it much easier for us. All of the players who appeared did what they needed to extremely well on the pitch.”

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv 8:0 Maccabi Barkai
Following a midweek 2:1 victory against Hapoel Petah Tikva, the Under-15 North club scored 8 goals to collect the 3-points over Maccabi Barkai. The young Yellow & Blue remained undefeated at home and are in 3rd place thanks to goals by Ben Lineker x3, Aviv Peles x3, Omer Rosio and Rani Nof. Head Coach Asaf Heber spoke about the match that was: “We did what we needed to as best as possible against a team that was going to be a tough opponent. The players were able to convert their quality game into beautiful goals and a terrific win. This was a fine continuation to the midweek victory.”

SC Ironi Ashdod 0:4 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv The Under-19 team visited Ashdod ...

ID Card: Youth Department Coaches

Behind every first team player there’s a youth department where he honed his skills. At the club’s Academy there are plenty of staff who work around the clock to help the players develop into the best players that they can be. Let’s meet some of the coaches

One of the Youth Academy’s goals is to help players grow and develop into players who can contribute and play on the First Team. Behind the scene there are plenty of coaches and staff who work day and night who give their all to the Yellow & Blue youngsters in their quest to be the best that they can be. Let’s meet some of those important people:

Guy Tzarfati
Coach: Under-19
Years as football coach: 5 years
Why did you decide to become a coach: “The love of the game”
Number of seasons a coach with the club: 2nd season
What are your thoughts about the changes in the Youth Department? The new philosophy and the use of technology: “Professionalism, modernization and the ability to improve the players.”
What do you think is the most important thing to impart in young players in order for them to develop into professionals? “A strong mentality and the ability to cope with both success and difficulties, thinking during the match.”
How do you work on improving both yourself and your training ability? “I’m always trying to learn more and more within the framework that I’m in.”

Is there a player that trained under you who has succeeded in Israeli football? “Or Dasa took a huge step this year. I hope that he will continue on the same path and become a part of Maccabi’s First Team.”
Role Model: “I don’t have one, I try to take a little from everyone”
Favorite club in the world: “Maccabi of course.”
Unforgettable match: “7:0 over Beitar Jerusalem at Bloomfield.”
Something that we don’t know that’s unrelated to football: “I really like to be at home and on an off day I enjoy just walking around Dizengoff, my Tel Aviv childhood. I really love walking around the city.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: “I want to remain in the Maccabi system for many years and create a history in the area of coaching, just like I did as a player.”

Alon Peleg
Coach: Under-14 North
Years as football coach: 7 years (all at Maccabi)
Why did you decide to become a coach: “The passion for football and working with children and youth.”
What are your thoughts about the changes in the Youth Department? The new philosophy and the use of technology: “It’s a welcome change and congratulations to the people who pushed to make that move. When we go to continuing education seminars in Europe, we are beginning to see things that are similar to our Youth Department at Maccabi and that helps us continue to improve and move another step forward in developing better younger players and a higher level of football culture.”
What do you think is the most important thing to impart in young players in order for them to develop into professionals? “The pace of play os much higher than in the past and that’s the first thing a young player needs to adapt to which is thinking and reacting quickly which could be a very big advantage. There also needs to be a good defensive basis and tactical understanding. But most importantly we have to imbue professionalism as we can’t afford to lose a talented youngster due to a lack of professionalism.”
How do you work on improving both yourself and your training ability? “In my spare time I am still working on the pitch via the internet. I am always looking to read more about modern football and watch how other coaches dissect certain situations on YouTube. In addition, I enjoy learning form the Youth Department’s new professional staff and to take their experience and tips that they are happy to share with me.”

Is there a player that trained under you who has succeeded in Israeli football? “I’m still young but I believe in the near future I’ll be able to see one or two players with the First Team.”
Role Model: “Pep Guardiola”
Favorite club in the world: “Manchester United.”
Unforgettable match: “Maccabi’s 3:1 win over Maccabi Haifa at Kiryat Eliezer in 1995/96.”
Something that we don’t know that’s unrelated to football: “I recently got married (August 18), I have a degree in business administration and I really enjoy checking out new restaurants and tasting new dishes.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: “That’s a tough question because life is so dynamic, but I’d be happy to remain in the football field as a coach, professional director or someone behind the scenes. I invest plenty of time and I believe that this will ve the case as I’m very satisfied doing what I do now.”

Boaz Bracha
Coach: Under-11 South
Years as football coach: 6 years (All at Maccabi)
Why did you decide to become a coach: “The love of the game and the desire to help develop young players, after I ended my career when I was a young player.”
What are your thoughts about the changes in the Youth Department? The new philosophy and the use of technology: “Changes and bringing in new things is always great when you want to continue to advance especially when this helps turn one into a better coach and better players. Every football club or an organized establishment needs to have a philosophy or a certain path in order to monitor and document advancements. I’m happy that they’ve added these tools in order for the coaches to give more and more to the players.”
What do you think is the most important thing to impart in young players in order for them to develop into professionals? “First and foremost is to give them the understanding that being a professional player is their dream and in order to reach that level they have to not only dream but also train at a certain standard and develop professionally from a young age. As well as to be aware that they need to continue to work hard to improve and train themselves in knowing what they need to do better in training and in a match as well as doing things outside of the regular training sessions.”

How do you work on improving both yourself and your training ability? “I’m always learning from more experienced coaches than me in the Youth Department and by asking questions and consulting with the professional staff. I also watch video and analyze matches in order to help me understand where the players need to improve.”
Is there a player that trained under you who has succeeded in Israeli football? “The players I have trained are still young and therefore it will take a number of years to see who will succeed. Four years ago, I was part of the Under-19 training staff where Dor Peretz was one of the players who was able to succeed as a professional.”
Role Model: “I teach the players that everyone of them could be a role model. It begins by taking responsibility for the small details off of the pitch and by being a leader and by handling situations on tiger field of play. From a young age, every player needs to develop leadership skills that will to only be able to help himself but also his club.”
Favorite club in the world: “Juventus.”
Unforgettable match: “2006 World Cup Final between France and Italy.”
Something that we don’t know that’s unrelated to football: “I recently got engaged and will marry my fiancee Neta in the near future.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: “To be a First Team coach or coaching in the Under-19 league.”

One of the Youth Academy’s goals is to help players grow and ...