Eran Zahavi to depart Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Under-19’s in Numbers: Streaks & More

The 2016/17 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv season has come to an end with the club finishing in 3rd place. Let’s take a look back at some of the stats and facts from the campaign that was

After 30 Youth Ligat Ha’Al matches the young Yellow & Blue under the direction of Head Coach Guy Tzarfati recorded 17 victories (8 home, 9 away), 4 draws and 9 losses which was an improvement over the 16 defeats from last season. The club averaged 1.6 goals per match (5th in the league) with an overall total of 49 goals. The squad averaged 0.9 goals against (3rd place) with a total of 28 goals overall during the campaign. Again, this marked another improvement over last season when the team scored 36 goals while giving up 31.

We also saw some interesting streaks this season:

• 451 – minutes without giving up a goal
• 31 – The most appearances by one single player – Eylon Almog
• 5 – Match streak without a loss
• 3 – Wins in a row
• 3 – Matches in a row a specific player scored a goal: Eylon Almog, Or Dasa, Dor Galili and Netanel Peretz.
  

The biggest win took place on Matchday 2 when Maccabi “Shachar” defeated Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 6:0. The side’s defense also took center stage recording 11 clean sheets over the course of the season. The Club also had two comeback victories on Matchday 17 versus Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion (2:1 win) and Matchday 21 3:2 in the away Derby.

The top scorer was Eylon Almog finding the back of the goal 15 times, good for 5th place in the league improving on last season’s total of 7 goals. His best match was in the 5:0 away win over Hapoel Ashkelon when he recorded a hat trick.

After 30 Youth Ligat Ha’Al matches the young Yellow & Blue under ...

The League’s Over? It’s just begun!

Maccabi Goal has yet another new twist and it’s everything that you wished for and more. Now you can play head-to-head against your friends. What other surprises are waiting for you? It’s all inside

The Ligat Ha’Al is done and we are close to the end of the 2016/17 season. But the break isn’t for you. This summer the new Maccabi Goal Season will begin and it will make you and your friends go crazy and it won’t make a difference where you’ll be.

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The game that has conquered tens of thousands of Maccabi fans has changed the rules of the game. You asked for it and now you’ve got it. You now can play head-to-head to earn the coins that will take you to the big leagues.

What do you need to do to enjoy the new game? If you’ve already downloaded the game all you have to do is update it. You haven’t downloaded it yet? Now’s the time to do just that, download it and play!

The Ligat Ha’Al is done and we are close to the end ...

The Camera’s Lens: Honoring the Club’s Youth Department

At halftime of the match against Beitar Jerusalem, the Club's Youth Department teams paraded around the Netanya Stadium along with the titles they have won this season

Yellow & Blue Saturday – Match Results May 20, 2017

After taking home the Double last Week, the Under-17's continued their fine streak while the Under-19's feel to Kiryat Shemona on their final Matchday. The Under-15 North side ended their campaign with a draw

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 0:4 Kiryat Shemona
After five wins out of six games, the Under-19’s finished their season off falling to the Northern club 4:0 ending the campaign in third place. CLICK HERE for the full match report.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 2:1 Hapoel Kiryat Shemona
Following a week where Eliezer Ben Aharon’s squad won the league title and the Israel State Cup, the Under-17’s kept up their fine play and won yet again thanks to goals by Sahar Barami via penalty (35th minute) and Mufleh Shalata (40th minute). Ben Aharon summed up his side’s performance: “It’s tough to make the mental switch after all of the celebrations, the match wasn’t played at a level that we were used to and that was something clear. We have one more match to finish off the season and I hope that we will do it in style.”

Hapoel Raanana 2:2 Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv
The Under-15 North club entered the last Matchday with a two match win streak. Amir Sofer’s side took an early advantage but Raanana came back to take a 2:1 lead. However, Maccabi “Ilan” didn’t give up and found the tying goal as Tal Torgeman (penalty) and Yalli Lazar scored for the young Yellow & Blue. Sofer spoke about the match: “We missed a lot of chances and we should have won.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 0:4 Kiryat Shemona After five wins out of six ...

Youth Department Saturday Action – May 20, 2017

The Under-19's look to keep their winning streak alive when they play their final match of the season while the Under-17's get back to action after completing the double. The Under-16's ended their campaign in style

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Kiryat Shemona, 11:30 Ramle
Guy Tzarfati’s squad will look to pick up another win and end their season on a high note. The young Yellow & Blue will host the northern side who find themselves in 4th place on the final Matchday of the Youth Ligat Ha’Al campaign as they look to sew up 2nd place.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Kiryat Shemona, 11:30 Kiryat Shalom
The Under-17 side will also face the northern club after taking home the Double by winning the league last Saturday and picking up the State Cup by defeating Maccabi Haifa this past Wednesday. With two Matchdays remaining in the season, Eliezer Ben Aharon’s team will look to keep up the positive momentum.

Hapoel Raanana – Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv, 08:30 Raanana Park North Synthetic
Amir Sofer’s squad will play their last match of the season when they visit the Sharon Club. After back to back victories, the Under-15 North side will look to continue their fine play of late and end the season on a positive note as they will finish the campaign in 4th place regardless of Saturday’s result.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv defeated Gadna “Roni” Tel Aviv 8:0 to end their season off in style. Bar Cohen and Raava Asayag scored braces while Gil Ben Shalosh, Asaf Hershko, Tal Yudayev and Omer Itzhak found the back of the goal as well. Head Coach Alon Brumer said: “We totally controlled the play and we took advantage of many opportunities while our defense didn’t allow our opponents any chances. We had a good match.” The Under-16’s finished their season in 3rd place.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv, the Under-15 South club ended their season in a respectable 3rd place.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Kiryat Shemona, 11:30 Ramle Guy Tzarfati’s squad ...

It’s a Double: The Under-17’s win the State Cup

After winning the league title this past weekend, Maccabi "Oded" Tel Aviv finished off the season in style as the young Yellow & Blue defeated Maccabi Haifa 3:1. Check out the photos

The Under-17 squad took home the League Championship over the weekend and this evening they completed the Double by winning the Israel State Cup title. Eliezer Ben Aharon’s side defeated Maccabi Haifa 3:1 at the Moshava Stadium closing out a most successful campaign. An own goal by Amram Pellis and markers by Sahar Barami and Yarin Mesika helped the Yellow & Blue to the win.

First Half
The match opened up with both sides playing tentative football, however the Greens threatened the Maccabi goal in the 12th minute as keeper Daniel Peretz was forced to make a quality stop to keep the contest goalless early on. In the 24th minute, Amit Glezer led the attack leaving the ball for Mufleh Shalata who crossed it to Sahar Barami but the latter missed the in close opportunity.

Just two minutes later, the young Yellow & Blue took a 1:0 lead thanks to an own goal by Amram Pellis who tried to clear the ball out of danger, however put it behind his own keeper instead. But the advantage was short lived as Haifa drew even at 1:1 in the 30th minute via striker Shadi Masarva who took a terrific deep ball from Omer Levi and scored the equalizer. The Greens continued to press and almost took the lead right before the break but Atamit Mor’s opportunity hit the post as the sides went into the half even at 1:1.

Second Half
The Yellow & Blue came out strong to begin the second half as Yoav Hopenmeister’s effort just went over the bar. But just six minutes later, Shalata stole the ball on the right side and made a pinpoint cross right to Sahar Barami in the box who scored to give Maccabi “Oded” a 2:1 lead. Barami almost scored again in the 60th minute taking a terrific ball from the right but skied it over the bar. The Under-17’s looked for an insurance marker and would find just that in the 80th minute when substitute Yarin Mesika came into the box, got past his defender and scored into the left corner to give Maccabi a 3:1 advantage that would hold up to take home the State Cup Title and complete the Double!

The Under-17 squad took home the League Championship over the weekend and ...

Cruyff takes part in the Training Principles in Modern Football Course

The Sports Director took part in the 8th meeting of the Club’s Sports Science Department and the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports course

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Sports Science Department and the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports are continuing their successful Training Principles in Modern Football course. The course which includes 60 academic hours over 12 meetings takes place at the Kiryat Shalom Training Facility. Lecturers include Dr. Antonio Dello Iacono, Course Coordinator, the Youth Department’s Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen, Raymond Atteveld and other coaches from the department.

This past week, the eighth meeting of the course took place. The first part of the lecture discussed goalkeeper training sessions and the youth department’s new philosophy concerning the subject. During the next portion of the class, Dr. Antonio Dello Iacono spoke about “Football Fitness” and explained how long-term training can be planned with a methodology based on scientific principles.

Jordi Cruyff, the Club’s Sports Director was the final speaker of the day and for the most part took a variety of questions in an open forum. The students asked about his management principles and philosophy such as changing Club policy or the youth department to professional elements including the principles of choosing a coach, the method and style of play and finding players that are available in the market to fit the needs of the club. Cruyff explained that the experience he gained by once being a player helps him tremendously in his current role especially when it comes to making changes.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Sports Science Department and the Wingate Institute for ...

“It’s not easy to make such big changes after doing things a certain way for so long”

After wrapping up the league title, Head Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon spoke about what he experienced over the season while working with the youth department's new professional staff

This past Saturday, Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, the Under-17 side won the league championship title and this coming Wednesday, the young Yellow & Blue will look to take home the double when they face Maccabi Haifa for the State Cup. After a fantastic season, we sat down with Head Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon who spoke about the campaign that was and his experience working with the new professional staff under Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen.

How did you arrive at Maccabi?
“That’s an interesting story. I went to watch a final which was a Under-17 Derby and I was looking at the coaches on the sidelines and I thought to myself that I wanted to be in that exact same spot. There was an Israel Football Association professional course that began a few months later and I met Nir Levin, the professional director of the youth department at the time and I asked him a number of questions. I also then began going to watch the training sessions at Kiryat Shalom and I decided that I had to find my way into the system. Over the next little while, I built a training regimen for players and I presented it to Nir who liked it and asked me if I would run the Football School. I stayed in that role for six years and then went on to coach the Under-16 club and then after one season in that position I moved up to the Under-17 side.”

Summing up the season so far:
“You can really see how the team jelled together and improved over the course of the season. Increasing the work rate, learning new things to go along with the responsibility and the will to succeed was the way we were able to record the good results that we have had up to now.”

Ben Aharon continued:
“Personally, it was a very challenging and difficult season. It’s not easy to make such big changes after doing things a certain way for so long. Patrick van Leeuwen came in at the beginning of the season and demanded that we forget everything that we knew and begin learning football the way that he believes in. I began to learn, change and move on to a brand new path that was also very organized with the new staff. I know that my goal as a member of the Maccabi youth department is to reach the same goals that we have set as a club.”
Working under a new youth department director:
“The work is different, challenging and interesting. Everyone in the department trains the same way, plays the same style, works by the training manual and participates in presentations and lectures that help enrich us. We also work with the latest technology including GPS and the C Sharp program. But what really makes the department unique is that we are all equal, from the Under-19 coach to the coaches in the football schools. There are no short cuts or cutting corners but there is a set way and there is patience to learn and to teach. The training sessions take place on a full pitch (that wasn’t the case beforehand), the staff is composed of 4 professionals, a coach, assistant coach, goalkeeping coach, fitness coach in addition to a roving psychologist that goes from team to team.”

Influence on the club:
“My ability to influence comes from the belief in the new system. I believed right away that if I wanted my players to understand and buy into the new way of training, that I myself had to believe in them, learn all about them and then enforce them. My experience with youth also helped in this process.”

Feeling a change and improvement within the team:
“Over the course of the season there were times where I felt that the team was moving forward and improving and then there were times when we went through a tough patch. From my experiences the season is a process and there are times when you slow down but the ultimate goal is to always bring the club back to the top, to a point which was even better than the last. During the campaign, I felt that the team had faith and belief all the way through and that could also be seen in the victories that we recorded in the last few minutes of a match. Some will say that it was luck, I say that it was because of hard work. The Championship is the goal by perseverance and dedication for a full season.”
Players moving up to the Under-19 side next season:
“At the start of the season I had a goal to have at least 10 players advance to the Under-19 squad. I still believe that this is a possibility and I hope that it occurs. Of course, the decision is made by the performances over the course of the season and future potential. The final decisions are made by a number of professionals and coaches.”

Stars of the season:
“To begin with I have to commend my assistant coach Leon Asraf, I believe that I am very lucky that he is with me and I couldn’t have asked for a better assistant. I also want to point out the quality people and large staff that we have including Guy Nachshon, fitness coach Gal, along with Ilan and Antonio who always supported me. In reference to the players it’s difficult to pick the best ones because the strength of the team comes from being exactly that, a team. However, Yoav made a nice leap forward after playing with the Under-15 side last season and worked very hard. Keeper Daniel Peretz also did nicely and has represented the National Team. In my opinion, every player has improved themselves.”

Specific match that helped the club move forward:
“I think it would be the home win over Maccabi Haifa. Last season when I coached the Under-16 side we lost to Haifa twice and I saw the player’s faces after the games themselves. I told them that if they continue to work hard the results will come. A year went by and we were able to defeat them twice this season and we have one victory left to complete the picture, the State Cup Final on Wednesday.”

Plans for ten years down the road:
“I don’t have the desire to be a first team coach. I’m interested in being a coach that teaches young coaches how to develop players at Maccabi. I want to be the best coach for youth players in Israel. I believe that I have the ability to do so, the desire and passion to reach that goal.”

Parting words:
“I want to use this opportunity to say a few words to my players: Next season some will stay and some will continue on. It’s not easy to be part of the Under-19 squad when you are a year younger than some of the players. Those who are strong willed and those with character will ultimately be the ones who will continue on and realize their dream. I hope that the tools that you’ve received from the staff will allow you to get over the hurdle of the first season.”

This past Saturday, Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, the Under-17 side won the ...

The Under-12 & Under-11 side’s fall in the State Cup Finals

Maccabi was represented in two State Cup Finals this evening but the Under-12 squad lost to Petah Tikva and the Under-11 team were defeated by Maccabi Netanya

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Youth Department clubs played in a pair of State Cup Finals at Ramat Gan Stadium. The Under-12 and Under-11 sides may have fell in battle but over 1,500 fans enjoyed a night of football at the National Stadium.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Under-11 5:6 Maccabi Netanya
The Under-11 side fell to Maccabi Netanya in a close and dramatic final as the field was split into two as the teams played with 7 players and a goalkeeper on each half of the pitch. The final score was a combination of both sides, with the matches being 35 minutes in length per half. The young Yellow & Blue fought valiantly as the match was close throughout, however, Netanya scored the winner with just a few minutes to go in the contest. Amit Kardi, Iddo Olie with a brace, Sagi Rozlis and Yuval Kfir all scored for Maccabi.

Maccabi “Oz” Tel Aviv Under-12 5:8 Maccabi Petah Tikva
The Under-12’s lost the State Cup Final to Maccabi Petah Tikva using the same format as the Under-11’s with two matches going on at the same time, each on half of a pitch with 35 minute halves and 7 players plus a goalkeeper. Goal scorers for the Yellow & Blue included Osher Bruchim, along with Ori Azu and Ben Yehezkel who recorded braces.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Youth Department clubs played in a pair of ...

Two Days of Youth State Cup Finals

The Under-17, Under-12 and Under-11 clubs will be playing for a number of titles over the next few days. Will the Under-17's complete the Double?

As the 2016/17 season nears its end, State Cup Finals will be on tap for a number of teams in the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Youth Department. Three squads will be vying for the prestigious title and will look to add hardware to their trophy cabinets.

Tuesday May 16, 2017
The Under-11 Maccabi Tel Aviv team will meet Maccabi Netanya at the Ramat Gan Stadium at 17:00 and the admission is free.

The Maccabi “Oz” Tel Aviv Under-12 side will face Maccabi Petah Tikva at the Ramat Gan Stadium at 19:00 and admission is free.

Wednesday May 17, 2017
The Under-17 club, Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv will take on Maccabi Haifa at the Moshava Stadium in Petah Tikva at 17:00 and admission is free. A victory by the Yellow & Blue will hand them the Double and will complete a fantastic week of football as they just won the League Title this past weekend.

As the 2016/17 season nears its end, State Cup Finals will be ...