Tzarfati: “The word Derby gives me goosebumps”

The Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv coach discussed the upcoming Derby at Ramle Stadium, (15:45, free admission) and also looked at the changes that are occurring throughout the Youth Department

Under-19 Head Coach Guy Tzarfati spoke about Saturday’s Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv at Ramle Stadium, 15:45 while also looking at the important process that is now going on within the Maccabi Youth Department and the goals that are being put into place:

“I think that what is happening now in the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Department is something brand new to Israeli football. The standards of the training sessions and the coaches to everything surrounding the department is at the highest of levels. The same is true with the demands that are being placed on the players and the whole coaching staff. I believe that this is an excellent and the results will be seen over the next few years. I’m thrilled to be a part of this process.”

Saturday’s Derby:

“The word Derby gives me goosebumps any time I talk about playing against Hapoel Tel Aviv and it’s very exciting. But as a coach and a teacher I have to make sure the players know that the path that we are on is of the utmost importance and that we have organizational standards that have to be put in place at both practices and during games themselves. I hope that we can continue on the path that we are on no matter what team we are facing. Of course winning the Derby would be great and would give us tremendous satisfaction. I hope that we do exactly that on Saturday.”

The goals at Maccabi’s Youth Department:

“As someone who has seen the various youth departments around the country, the focus is on titles, championships and cups. Here at Maccabi our goal is to help produce quality players and to simulate as much as possible what the Senior Team does which in itself is a totally different world than what occurs at youth departments in general.

We can’t forget that the process that the youth players go through on the way to the First Team also includes the army and there are times when the players don’t completely acclimate. So we put a lot of pressure and demands on them during the training sessions and the matches that we play both during the week and not only on Saturday. This way the players will be more prepared and closer to the ultimate goal which is to play with the Senior Team.”

Encouraging the fans to come out to Ramle to support the team tomorrow:

“I spoke to the guys a lot about this and it’s important for them that everyone comes out to cheer them on and support them. The fans will get to see the future stars who are training and working very hard and want to represent Maccabi honorably and eventually get to the First Team. I think that it would be great if the fans come and root them on.”

Under-19 Head Coach Guy Tzarfati spoke about Saturday’s Derby against Hapoel Tel ...

Youth Department action, Saturday October 15, 2016

Youth League Derby, two top of the table clashes for the Under-17 & Under-16 sides against the Greens and all of the other Youth Department matches are inside

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Nisanov” Tel Aviv, 15:45, Ramle

Guy Tzarfati’s Yellow & Blue will host the first Derby of the season against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Saturday afternoon live on Sport 5. Maccabi “Shachar” finds themselves in eighth place with seven points after five Matchdays while their rival in Red are in 11th place with six points. Come and cheer on the team at the Ramle Stadium!

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Yoel” Haifa, 10:30, Kiryat Shalom

A top of the table clash pits Eliezer Ben Aharon’s Yellow & Blue against the Camel Greens in a two versus three matchup with Maccabi holding a slight advantage due to a better goal differential.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Maccabi “Goldschenfeld” Haifa, 10:30, Kiryat Shalom

The Under-16 squad are in the same situation as the Under-17 side as Alon Brumer’s team will face Haifa in another two against three contest. The young Yellow & Blue will look to get back onto the winning track after falling last week to Maccabi Petach Tikva and a victory will put them in good position on the league table.

Maccabi “Eldad” – Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion, 08:30, Kiryat Shalom

Or David’s team will begin a packed Saturday of action at Kiryat Shalom when they face the wine city side. Maccabi “Eldad” find themselves in first place due to better goal differential but are tied on points with two other clubs.

Maccabi Barkai – Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv, 10:00, Kibbutz Barkai

Last week Amir Sofer’s side picked up an important win over Sakhnin and will now travel to Kibbutz Barkai to continue their winning ways.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Nisanov” Tel Aviv, 15:45, Ramle

Guy ...

Yellow & Blue Saturday – Match Results October 8, 2016

The Under-19 Team drew with Sakhnin while the Under-17 squad defeated Hapoel in the Tel Aviv Derby. All that and the rest of the Youth Department results are inside

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 1:1 Bnei Sakhnin
Matchday Five pitted the young Yellow & Blue against Bnei Sakhnin at the Ramle Stadium. Netanel Peretz gave the hosts a first half lead but a 77th goal by Sakhnin drew the sides even after Eden Kartzev was issued a red card. Next week Maccabi “Shachar” will host Hapoel in the Tel Aviv Derby.

Hapoel “Tzachi Ben Porat” Tel Aviv 2:3 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv
A dramatic Under-17 Derby took place at Wolfson on Saturday as Eliezer Ben Aharon’s club came back from a 1:0 deficit with 3 straight first half goals by Sa’ar Berami, Omer Berami and Toner Mahlouf to score the victory. The Reds cut the lead to one just before the break but Maccabi “Oded” held on to pick up the 3-points.

Maccabi “Moshe Dayan” Petach Tikva 1:0 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv
Alon Brumer’s side suffered its first defeat of the season falling to Maccabi Petach Tikva 1:0 away. Eyal Inbrum scored the lone goal of the match for the hosts.

Hapoel “Shlomi Wartsel” Petach Tikva 0:7 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv
The Under-15 team moved into first place as Ori David’s club won big away at Hapoel Petach Tikva. Stav Nachmani scored a hattrick while Itay Ben Hamou picked up a brace as Or Roizman and Eli Hadar each scored a goal a piece in favor of the Yellow & Blue.

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv 1:0 Bnei Sakhnin
A 79th minute strike by Yeheli Lazar made all the difference for Amir Sofer’s side as the second Under-15 squad beat Sakhnin at Kiryat Shalom.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 1:1 Bnei Sakhnin Matchday Five pitted the young Yellow ...

Maccabi “Shachar” & Sakhnin draw 1-1

Netenel Peretz's goal gave the Yellow & Blue a lead just before the end of the first half but a second half marker by Halila gave a Sakhnin a point. Kartzev was issued a red card

Matchday Five featured the Under-19 side hosting Bnei Sakhnin at the Ramle Stadium after the visitors had asked to change home matches. Maccabi “Shachar” came into the match after a loss last week to Hapoel Raanana and looked to get back on the winning track. Guy Tzarfati started Mahmoud Awesat and Or Dasa on the wings while Eylon Almog played in the hole.

First Half

Both sides didn’t produce many opportunities in the first half as it was quiet early on. Eden Kartzev and Or Dasa tried their luck a number of times, however, Tomer Haran for Sakhnin was in the right place at the right time. Maccabi’s shot stopper Omer Katz also was up to the task as he denied the visitors on two wonderful opportunities.

But Maccabi didn’t want to leave the first half empty handed as Netanel Peretz blasted a shot that went through the Sakhnin defense and into the goal. 1:0 for Maccabi in the 45th minute as the two teams went down to the dressing rooms at the half.

Second Half

Both clubs started the second frame with the same Starting XI and in the 49th minute Omer Katz was called upon to make a brilliant save to keep his team in front. However, in the 66th minute Eden Kartzev committed a foul good for a second yellow card and an automatic ejection from the match. Tzarfati introduced Raani Hamze, Amit Shapira and Dor Galili, but they didn’t stop Osama Halila’s tying goal.

Ron Zamir’s entrance didn’t help either as the sides split the points. Next Matchday the young Yellow & Blue will host the Reds in the Tel Aviv Derby.

Matchday Five featured the Under-19 side hosting Bnei Sakhnin at the Ramle ...

Yellow-and-Blue Saturday – Match Results October 1, 2016

The Under-19 side fell at home while the Under-16 team beat Kabilyo-Jaffa. That and more from the Yellow & Blue Youth Department is inside

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 1:2 Hapoel Raanana

The Yellow & Blue returned to their Ramle home following two straight away matches, however, they couldn’t keep their win streak intact. The game began well for Guy Tzarfati’s squad as Or Dasa scored thanks to an Eden Kartzev assist, but two second half goals by the visitors determined the result in favor Raanana.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 1:1 Hapoel Raanana

The first half ended goalless but in the second half Eliezer Ben Aharon’s charges gave up a goal to their former player Shachar Eylon before drawing even late on an Omer Berami strike to split the points.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 9:0 Maccabi Kabilyo-Jaffa

Alon Brumer’s squad defeated their counterpart from Jaffa by nine goals as Amit Yaakov, Nadav Nidam, Ra’ava Asayag (hattrick), Tal Yagudayev, Iddo Shachar and a brace by Gil Ben Shalosh all scored for the Yellow & Blue.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 3:0 Hapoel Kfar Saba

The Under-15 team of Ori David hosted the Sharon side and took 3-points in the home win thanks to goals by Nohari Biton, Doron Lindner and Or Roizman.

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv 3:3 SC Nesher

Tomer Yakubi, Tal Turgeman and Rom Berkovic gave Amir Sofer’s club a 3:0 lead but a second half comeback by the visitors left Maccabi “Ilan” with a disappointing draw.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 1:2 Hapoel Raanana

The Yellow & Blue returned to ...

When the players attempted to bring the new year with a song

The Jewish New Year is about to begin and that was a good enough reason for Shota Arveladze's players to sing in honor of the holiday. How did they do? WATCH! And...Happy New Year

Goldhar: “Shimon Peres was a courageous and inspirational man”

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC is saddened by the loss of former President of Israel, Shimon Peres z"l at the age of 93. The Owner added: “We will always have fond memories of the great man who dedicated his life to the State of Israel and the fight for peace in the Middle East.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC mourns the loss of Israel’s Ninth President Shimon Peres who passed away at the age of 93.

The owner of Maccabi Tel Aviv FC, Mitch Goldhar stated: “Israel has never existed without Shimon Peres. His influence on the state, the region and the world will be felt for a long time; and we should be grateful for that. I had the pleasure and honour of meeting him on numerous occasions and in fact had dinner with him as recently as 2 months ago. He was a courageous and inspirational man
with a sharp intellect and always made those in his company feel like a friend. Maccabi Tel Aviv worked closely with Mr. Peres and the Peres Center for Peace and we will always have fond memories of the great man who dedicated his life to the State of Israel and the fight for peace in the Middle East.”

Following Maccabi’s 2012/13 championship season, Owner Mitch Goldhar, Owner’s Representative Jack Angelides and Sports Director Jordi Cruyff visited Shimon Peres while he was President and presented him with an Official Match Jersey with Number 1 on the back (signifying him as Israel’s Number One Citizen).

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC has an ongoing relationship with the Peres Center for Peace and Mr. Peres. Over the last two years, Club representatives, including players and Sports Director Jordi Cruyff took part in the World Cup for Peace Tournament.

On the State of Israel’s 67th Independence Day, Peres made his last visit to the Youth Department’s Training Facility at Kiryat Shalom for a joint event with the Peres Center. Peres met with former Club CEO Martin Bain and received an Official Match Jersey with the number 67 printed on the back.

Maccabi Tel Aviv FC mourns the loss of Israel’s Ninth President Shimon ...

WATCH! Relive the 5:0 Maccabi Derby Victory

Shota Arveladze'a Yellow & Blue equalized the 1970 Derby win as they defeated Hapoel in the first league Derby of the season, Igiebor, Ben Chaim & Kjartansson all scored. Check it out

WATCH: Scarione & Kjartansson defeat Bnei Sakhnin

If you haven't seen the Argentine's brace or the Icelander's goal, then now's your chance to check out all of the Yellow & Blue highlights from last night

Dello Iacono: “The players need to be both physically & athletically prepared”

Maccabi's Director of Sports Science returned from a two-day conference in Barcelona which was attended by some of the world’s most famous Clubs. Topics discussed included how sports and science are integrated together and how they are essential to football

Both the world of football and the world of science have gone hand-in-hand continuously for more than a decade as the top football clubs around the globe understand that this is an integral part of professional advancement and progression which involves scientific analysis. Last week, Antonio Dello Iacono, the Youth Department’s Scientific Director attended a two-day conference in Barcelona that dealt with performance analysis and sports science.

Lecturers included academics who have worked on advanced theories with their football clubs as well as experts in the field of sports science for some of the top teams from across the world including Barcelona, Inter, Atletico Madrid, Valencia and many others.

“Some of the presentations were about new ideas while others strengthened theories and protocols that already are in practice. Even in Europe, the world of GPS is relatively new in the realm of football. It was just last year that UEFA approved its use in official matches and slowly but surely clubs are understanding that this is an absolute necessity.”

How does this system actually help improve player performance?

“Every club has a philosophy as to their football methodology. Each one looks at their performance in a different way. The analysis of our matches is built in a certain way that is different than the First Team and Youth Club. There are parameters that we can determine over two or three years that we would like our young players to get to and this way they can be better prepared from both a physical and athletic standpoint.”

Where do we begin bridging the knowledge gap?

“This coming season, we will be building and getting used to a new system. We will collect as much information objectively and subjectively as possible, so that next year we can compare and understand what my goal will be to continue to improve the team and take them to the next level as well as what the goals will be for team that moves up from the younger age group. For this, we are training the coaches and the fitness coaches on how to understand the data and to be involved in all these different aspects.”

Patrick Van Leeuwen is managing the professional development of the department, how does this effect the area of sports science?

“Patrick has brought a change in how we work uniformly across the all of the different teams. Some of the working principles of sports science is part of the work methodology. Each coach and trainer received physical training methods that need to be placed in the training units. The fitness trainers and coaches speak to each other in a different ‘language’ when it comes to training but in reality they are actually talking about the same thing. I am trying to coordinate between these two ‘languages’ in order that the work that needs to be done is taken care of in the best manner. One of the most important things that we are doing is establishing a database. I will be able to know in advance what needs to be adjusted or corrected in the training regimen.”

If you had to put your finger on the biggest differences on this subject between Israel and the rest of the world what would it be?

“In many clubs around the world there are individuals with academic backgrounds but in Israel that is not the case. The coaches in Israel may have a physical training background but that is not enough. Today, due to the complex demands in football for the highest quality and intensity, we have to know exactly what we are demanding from the player in the most minute details.”

Both the world of football and the world of science have gone ...