Just like the best players in the world: Andres Iniesta

The Youth Department project is continuing to gain momentum. Episode 19 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 Saturday Action March 17, 2018

Maccabi “Shachar” host’s Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Classico in Ramle, the U17’s will look to keep up the positive momentum versus Sakhnin and the Under-16 side will head to Rishon Le’Zion. All that plus the U15 teams are inside

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Shmuel” Haifa, 12:00 Ramle Stadium (U19)
After a break last week, the Under-19 squad is back in action as they host Maccabi Haifa on Matchday 22 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Guy Tzarfati’s side are in 2nd place and are just one point off top of the table Hapoel Raanana while the Greens are in 4th place just two points away from the Yellow & Blue.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Bnei Sakhnin, 11:00 Kiryat Shalom 1 (U17)
After last week’s 3:0 win over Beitar Jerusalem the Under-17 club will host Bnei Sakhnin on Matchday 22. The young Yellow & Blue are in first place with a 15 point lead as the visitor’s are in 13th spot with 5 league wins this season.

Hapoel “Yotam” Rishon Le’Zion – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 8:30 Rishon Le’Zion Superland 2 North (U16)
The Under-16 squad will travel to Rishon Le’Zion on Matchday 23. Maccabi “Oded” are currently in 5th place and are 8 points off the top of the table while the Orange are in 9th place.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Ironi Kiryat Gat, 09:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15 South)
After last week’s terrific State Cup win over Maccabi Haifa to advance to the semifinals of the competition, the Under-15 South side will host Kiryat Gat as they will look to pick up the win. The young Yellow & Blue are in 2nd place, 4 points away from first place with a match in hand as Kiryat Gat are in 12 place with 4 league wins.

Maccabi “Max” Haifa – Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv, 14:15 Haifa Kesef Lower (U15 North)
The Under-15 North squad also move on to the State Cup Semifinal last week and will now head north for a date with the Carmel Greens on Matchday 22. Maccabi “Ilan” are in 3rd place while the Greens are in first place 5 points ahead of the Yellow & Blue.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Shmuel” Haifa, 12:00 Ramle Stadium (U19) After ...

The Maccabi Youth Department participates in Good Deeds Day

In honor of Good Deeds Day, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Girl’s Team went to the Ezra neighborhood school for community activities with the youngsters

All across Israel, March 13th was marked as Good Deeds Day and the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department also took part in the important day. The Girls Team along with the professional staff and coaches went to the Amiel Rambam School in the Ezra neighborhood of Tel Aviv. As part of the program, the girls along with the school’s children took part in a number of football skills stations and handed out gifts and prizes to the youngsters.

All across Israel, March 13th was marked as Good Deeds Day and ...

State Cup Drama across the Youth Department

The Under-17’s defeated Beitar in league play, The U15 South side overcame Maccabi Haifa while the Under-15 North squad made it past Nes Ziona. The U16’s were eliminated from Cup play by Beer Sheva

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv
The Under-19 team was on break this weekend and will get back to action this coming Saturday when they face Maccabi Haifa on Matchday 22 of the Israel Youth Premier League

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 3:0 Beitar “Oren” Jerusalem
The Under-17 side defeated Jerusalem on Matchday 18 and increased their lead at the top of the table to 15 points. Rave Assayag scored a brace while David Dego also found the back of the goal. Head Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon summed up the win: “Before the game we told the players that we are looking for those who love to win and hate to lose. Only these types of players could make sure the gap after 21 games would be 15 points. After the contest we spoke about our next challenge that lies ahead which is to create an even bigger gap that will be almost impossible to break in the future. We had the upper hand from the get go and we could have even won by a bigger margin. We’re happy and content as to how the players have advanced along with their desire and passion that they have for the game. Next week, we host Beni Sakhnin and we have 6 players who will play on the National Team which warms our hearts and makes us proud as a club.”

Hapoel Beer Sheva 1:0 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv
The Under-16 squad fell to the southern side in the State Cup Round of 16. The Yellow & Blue went down by a goal although they controlled the pace of play. Head Coach Raymond Atteveld spoke about the match that was: “The match was a challenge for the players and they were excited and were pressured against an opponent who pressed them as well. We didn’t play well at the start of the match and we gave up an early goal in the 2’. After some tactical instruction we began to take control of the play. I don’t like to give the players the answers as to how they should play on the pitch, but rather they should find the way themselves. We continued to improve and we had a number of chances. Unfortunately the opposing keeper made a tremendous amount of stops and if you don’t score you can’t win. We didn’t deserved to win, but that’s football. I hope that they learnt some positive lessons from the game. We don’t like to lose but you have to learn from these types of matches, find the open man and take advantage of our opportunities. This was important lesson and we will continue to work hard as we look ahead.”

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 5:3 Maccabi “Max” Haifa
The Under-15 team defeated the Greens to advance to the State Cup semifinals. After going down 2:0, Noam Rodik, the young Yellow & Blue keeper saved a penalty and changed the momentum of the match. Rom Gross and Ohad Mizrahi each scored a brace while Elad Kaplan also scored. Ori David, the Head Coach looked back at the win: “There are a lot of good things that we can take away from this match, lots of character, coming back from a deficit and saving a penalty. Of course we have to look to correct the things that didn’t work. Part of the development of the players is to see how they can handle these situations especially for the future and I’m happy that we were able to pass the test. It was also wonderful to see Patrick van Leeuwen and Jordi Cruyff in attendance and that also gave the guys a lot of motivation.”

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv 2:1 Sekztia Nes Ziona
The Under-15 North club also passed their quarterfinal State Cup test as Asaf Heber’s side went down 1:0 early in the first half but were able to take the draw even before the break on a goal by Kamil Jabara. The contest went into overtime and right before the end of the match, defender Sivan Gafni scored from long distance. Head Coach Asaf Heber discussed the win: “We were drawn against a very tough and determined Nes Ziona team. Everyone was excited and it resulted in us falling behind early on. But just as we’ve seen happen a number of times this season, we woke up after the goal and we began to play our regular style and we were able to find they equalizer while having a number of other chances on their goal. Just as we thought that we were going to head to penalties we scored the winner just before time ran out. I’m proud of the players that worked hard and didn’t give up for a second.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv The Under-19 team was on break this weekend and ...

Yuval Shpungin Speaks to the Under-15 South Team

The Maccabi Tel Aviv defender spoke about his career, growing up Yellow & Blue and gave advice to the youngsters who are just at the beginning stages of becoming footballers

The Under-15 South squad had a treat this past week as Yuval Shpungin, the Maccabi Tel Aviv defender took time out of his busy schedule to share his experiences with the Yellow & Blue youth. As part of the Continuing Education Program at the Youth Academy and the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation, the right back was able to discuss his career, what it was like growing up at the Club back then compared to now, what it takes to become a professional footballer while also touching on his time with the Israel National Team and when he played abroad. The youngsters were also able to ask questions and discuss their own development with Shpungin as well.

The Under-15 South squad had a treat this past week as Yuval ...

Just like the best players in the world: Johan Cruyff

The Youth Department project is continuing to gain momentum. Episode 18 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 Saturday Action March 10, 2018

The Under-17 will host Beitar Jerusalem in a league contest while the U16’s head to Beer Sheva in the Round of 16 State Cup. The Under-15’s are also taking part in the quarterfinals

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv
The Under-19 squad is on break this week and will return to action next week when they play Maccabi Haifa on Matchday 22.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Beitar “Oren” Jerusalem, 10:00 Kiryat Shalom 1 (U17)
The Under-17 side sits in first place and is still undefeated in league play as they host Beitar Jerusalem on Matchday 18. The young Yellow & Blue are 12 points up on the 2nd place team and will look to increase the gap while Jerusalem are in 14th place with one win in their last 11 contests.

Hapoel Beer Sheva – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 10:30 Beer Sheva Racer 5 Synthetic (U16 Round of 16 State Cup)
After last week’s win where Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” scored 11 goals, the U16 side heads to Beer Sheva (who have won their last 4 league contests) for a tough away match with the goal of advancing to the next round.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Max” Haifa, 11:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15 South, Quarterfinals State Cup)
The Under-15 South team is also in State Cup action as they host Maccabi Haifa and will look to move on to the semifinals. Both teams are currently in first place in their respective divisions.

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv – Sektzia Nes Ziona, 8:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15 North, Quarterfinals State Cup)
The Under-15 North squad is also in State Cup action as they host Nes Ziona in the quarterfinal round. The young Yellow & Blue will look to advance over the 8th place team in their division.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv The Under-19 squad is on break this week and ...

“When we play, we are showing that anything is possible”

International Women’s Day is being marked across the world and Maccabi Tel Aviv is also taking part we spoke with Mor Shaked the coach of the women’s team together with Noa Miron one of the player’s about their thoughts on the importance of women’s football

International Women’s Day takes place on March 8th and in honor of this special day we have the chance to take a closer look at a woman who is responsible for Maccabi Tel Aviv’s women’s team. The squad is made up of young women aged 6-12 and has 19 players. Mor Shaked is the club’s coach and is the person behind its creation together with Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen. Shaked and one of the player’s, Noa Miron spoke about the women’s team and being part of a football club.

Being a trailblazer:
Shaked who is 26 years old and coach’s the Maccabi Tel Aviv women’s team is excited to be a pioneer: “Starting a women’s team at the biggest club in the country is definitely breaking a glass ceiling, but this is just the beginning as we would like to have a women’s club for young girls aged 5 and up with the same conditions as the boy’s teams in order to reach the highest level in Israel and around the world. If we can build the foundation properly for young girls, then there’s no question that we can reach the top of the top.”

Noa Miron, one of the young women playing under Shaked is excited about the path that she is blazing: “I feel that I am a really accomplishing something big by playing football. There are very few girls playing football, but by playing on this team we are showing everyone that it’s possible for women to play.”

How does it feel to be a role model for other girls and women in world that is considered to be dominated by males? Shaked didn’t look to compare men and women: “This world is for everyone and I’m not interested in looking at definitions. The love for football connects everyone and it has nothing to do with gender.” Noa: “It may be odd sometimes for other people, but it’s just natural to me. It’s exciting to play and I feel like I am a woman when I do.”

Inspiration:
Shaked dreams of continuing to expand the women’s program at Maccabi Tel Aviv and for it to be the most professional institution for girls and women as she explained that she didn’t have a particular inspirational role model: “As of today, my inspiration comes from the desire to build something at Maccabi that doesn’t exist at any other club in the country and that it will continue for many years to come and impact the future generations.” Noa, who began playing football with her brother at a very young age, said: “There is a specific person who I look up to as a role model and she isn’t a player, but it’s my mother who always supports me as she inspired me to reach my dreams and goals.”

What’s missing in women’s football:
Shaked believes that there is not enough awareness: “There are many girls who like football but they don’t know that women’s teams exist. It’s very important to publicize and promote women’s football in order that more people become aware of it.” Noa added: “There isn’t enough women’s football on TV and its barely discussed.”

Goals going forward:
“I’d be happy to start more and more women’s teams at Maccabi for all are groups and to give them a framework for anyone who likes to play,” Shaked explained. “I’m not ashamed to say that my dream is to coach a team in the Champions League in a few years.” Noa concluded: “My dream is to continue playing football and to keep doing interesting and challenging things into the future.”

International Women’s Day takes place on March 8th and in honor of ...

Yellow & Blue Youth Department Results March 3, 2018

Maccabi “Shachar” and Hapoel Tel Aviv drew at Wolfson, the U17’s continued on their way while the Under-16’s scored 11 goals. All that and the U15 results are inside

Hapoel “Nisonov” Tel Aviv 2:2 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv
The Club’s Under-19 side drew with Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Derby on Matchday. Tomer Altman and Eylon Almog scored for the Yellow & Blue as they took home one point and fell to 2nd place, just one point off the top of the table. Next Matchday Guy Tzarfati’s team will host Maccabi Haifa. For the Full Match Report, CLICK HERE.

SC Ashdod 1:2 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv
After an important midweek win over Bnei Yehuda, Eliezer Ben Aharon’s defeated Ashdod away on Matchday 21 as they sit in first place, 12 points ahead of the 2nd place side. Bar Cohen and Rave Assayag scored for Maccabi. Ben Aharon summed up the victory: “Every match at Ashdod is challenging for any team and age group. Ashdod took the lead in the 14’ due to a defensive error, but our players didn’t get down as a result of the goal and pushed forward with quality chances which resulted in 2 goals. We made some changes in our attack in the second half in order to kill the game but we failed to score. However, we kept the lead as we fought and battled knowing that we needed the victory in order to win the title. Our goal as a team is to continue to play well and that creates even more motivation on their part. The players have a lot of determination and we saw that today.”

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 11:0 Beitar Ironi Maale Adumim “Tzav Pius”
The Under-16 club hosted Maale Adumim on Matchday 21 and recorded 11 goals and a clean sheet. Yali Lazar, Yishay Bozorgi and Tal Turgeman all scored hat tricks while Niv Berkovich added a brace in the win. Head Coach Raymond Atteveld talked about the match: “I’m very happy with the result and the way we pressured the opponent from the first moment. We made sure that they wouldn’t think that they could take a point and control the ball. It’s usually difficult to play these types of games and continue to score goals. I’m happy that the players did do that and they deserve to be complimented. It’s good to see that even when we score 11 goals we continued to play at the same pace.”

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 1:2 Hapoel “Rami” Tel Aviv
The Under-15 South team fell to the Reds in the Derby on Matchday 20 as Oskar Glok scored the lone goal for the Yellow & Blue. Head Coach Ori David spoke about the match: “We lost in a game that could have resulted in a big win for us. We had many good chances close to the goal after we were ahead 1:0 and we controlled the contest but two mistakes due to exhaustion cost us 2 unnecessary goals. They played well, but now we have to focus on the Cup match against Maccabi Haifa.”

Maccabi Petah Tikva 0:0 Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv
After an important midweek win, 2:1 over Netanya, the Under-15 North squad played Petah Tikva to a goalless draw. Asaf Heber, the Head Coach summed up the match: This is the 4th time we met Maccabi Petah Tikva this season and they are a terrific team. As the season continued we can see the differences in the level of the matches themselves and the football that’s being played. I’m proud of the football we played and how we played as we tried to take advantage of the opponent’s weak points. If we would have been a bit more clinical near the goal we could have taken home the win, but now we have to look ahead to the State Cup quarterfinals.”

Hapoel “Nisonov” Tel Aviv 2:2 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv The Club’s Under-19 side ...

Maccabi “Shachar” & Hapoel Tel Aviv draw 2:2

The Under-19 side split the points in the Tel Aviv Derby on Matchday 21 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Tomer Altman and Eylon Almog scored for the Yellow & Blue

Matchday 21 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al featured a Tel Aviv Derby between Maccabi and Hapoel as the young Yellow & Blue began the day in 1st place with 10 wins in 12 of their last matches while the Reds came into the contest in 10th place.

Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI included keeper Daniel Peretz, Amit Glazer, Alon Shtrozberg, Fadi Najar, Yoav Hofmayster, Tamir Glazer, Tomer Altman, Eylon Almog, Mufleh Shalata, Eyal Hen and William Agada.

First Half
In the 3’ the Reds had the first opportunity of the contest when a cross came in from the right to Osher Davida, but Peretz made the save. Four minutes later, it was Maccabi’s turn to threaten when Amit Glazer sent a through ball to Shalata but his chance was saved by the Hapoel keeper.

In the 9’ Maccabi again looked to take the lead when Shalata crossed the ball to Almog but his header met the outside netting of the goal, while Shalata again sent a pass to Agada but his header went by the post and out. Almog’s attempt then went by the post as the Yellow & Blue put all kinds of pressure on the Reds early on.

As the match hit the 35’ Agada took a cross in the box but his shot was saved by the Reds keeper Omer Tal. Finally in the 42’ Maccabi found the back of the goal as Najar began the play, passed the ball to Almog who sent it to Altman as the captain used his right foot to slam it home for a 1:0 lead. Two minutes later Hapoel drew even as a cross from the left found Davida and he headed it behind Peretz as the half ended all knotted up at 1:1.

Second Half
Hapoel came out looking to take the lead early on in the second half as Benny Terdovsky’s 47’ chance hit the post, but 6 minutes later the Reds found the back of the goal as Ali Alavra sent a cross into the box that Adji Heford headed in for the one goal advantage. In the 55’ Altman’s free kick created confusion in the box but the Hapoel defense cleared the ball to safety.

Maccabi found the equalizer in the 64’ on a gorgeous set play as Almog curled the ball into the far corner and into the goal. The Yellow & Blue pressed for a go ahead marker and four minutes later they almost found it via Tamir Glazer as the midfielder hit the bar. In the 70’ Prince Thomas who had come on as a substitute sent the ball towards from the box, but the keeper made the save.

Seven minutes later, the Reds had a dangerous chance, but the ball was cleared by the Yellow & Blue defense and in the 90’ Hapoel almost found the winner via a through ball to Yonatan Levi but his attempt went out for a corner as the contest ended in a 2:2 draw.

Matchday 21 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al featured a ...