Maccabi beat Reineh 3-2

Maccabi Shachar fall 4-0 to Chelsea

The Yellow-and-Blue played valiantly in a 4:0 defeat to European Champions Chelsea as Tammy Abraham scored a brace for the visitors

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv faced the Chelsea Under-19 team in Champions League Youth League action on Matchday Five at the Netanya Stadium. Ziv Arie’s side was looking to earn its first victory in the competition against the defending tournament champions.

The young Yellow-and-Blue held their own against Chelsea for the first quarter hour until Bar Galili’s foul in the box on Miro Muheim resulted in a penalty that Tammy Abraham coolly converted for a 1:0 lead. Just minutes later, at the 19 minute mark, Charlie Wakefield doubled the visitors lead. The attacking midfielder went in alone on goal and slotted the ball under Maccabi “Shachar” keeper Haviv Ohayon. Chelsea added to their lead before the end of the half when Kyle Scott pounced on a rebound just after Ohayon made a terrific stop.

Coach Ziv Arie made a couple of substitutions at halftime inserting Almog Eylon and Dor Galili to help out the Maccabi “Shachar” attack and the Yellow-and-Blue began controlling the tempo of the match. An additional substitution was made in the 63rd minute when Omri Haramati entered the game. However, a Karzev free kick and corner along with an Altman corner kick couldn’t find the mark to get the home side on the scoresheet.

After a number of outstanding saves by keeper Ohayon, including one from a long range shot by Ali Muktar that was tapped over the bar, Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham picked up his second goal of the match in the 86th minute with the help of a Charlie Wakefield assist to cement the 4:0 victory.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv Starting Lineup: Ohayon, B. Galili, Glazer, Dasa, Altman (Haramati 63′), Karzev, Vaturi, Grechkin, Kanichowsky, Rosemboim (D. Galili 46′), Durovic (Almog 46′)

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv faced the Chelsea Under-19 team ...

Glazer: “Chelsea’s the best team in Europe”

The captain of Maccabi "Shachar" spoke about the Yellow-and-Blue's upcoming match against Chelsea's Under-19 youth side this Tuesday, 14:00 at the Netanya Stadium (free admission)

Just prior to the huge Champions League day ahead, Maccabi’s youth team is busy preparing in earnest for their encounter with the Under-19 side of Chelsea. Maccabi “Shachar” will take on Chelsea at the Netanya Stadium, 14:00 and all fans are invited to come and support the club as there is no charge for admission.

The club’s captain, Dan Glazer spoke to the Official Website before the crucial game on Matchday Five of the Champions League Youth League and discussed preparing for the defending European champions: “We have a match to say the least that won’t be easy. Chelsea is the best team in Europe for our age group. We won’t be dominant in this match as we are in our Israeli league games. We will have to be strong, aggressive and focussed on our counterattacks with the hope of taking advantage of these situations.”

 On the club’s first match with the Blues:

 “They were much better than us in the first game and that was also our first ever in this competition. At the start of that match we were able to play with them. They are a team with a lot of amazing individual abilities and talents that will be hard to measure up against. I’m certain though that our professional staff will prepare us properly for the match.”

The side’s aspirations:

“We really want to win but we also know that it won’t be easy. We never come into a match looking to play for a draw or to get a nice type of result. This will be a different type of game than we have in league play and we will have to do things the best way possible.”

Just prior to the huge Champions League day ahead, ...

Arie: “We have a big challenge ahead of us”

Maccabi "Shachar" Tel Aviv's coach sums up the match against Beer Sheva and is focussed on playing Chelsea, Tuesday at 14:00, Netanya Stadium (free admission)

Just like the first team, the Under-19 squad is busy preparing for Tuesday’s match against Chelsea. Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will face the defending Champions League Youth League champions Chelsea at the Netanya Stadium, 14:00. Yesterday, the side drew with Beer Sheva in Winner League play and the coach Ziv Arie spoke about the match and also about the challenge against the Blues that lies ahead:

“We’re not happy with the result. We may have to figure out how to win when scoring one goal but then we can’t give any up. I don’t have any complaints about the defense because Beer Sheva had very few chances other than when they scored and we made a mistake. We weren’t aggressive enough in the first half but I was much happier with our second half play.”

About the many missed opportunities the players had Saturday:

“We are still having problems in the last third of the pitch and when we want to complete a play, but we must have patience. We have a lot of new players and it will just take time and patience even though it may be frustrating.”

Coming into the Chelsea match:

“We love different types of matches and each one presents another opportunity to play a certain way. It will not be easy but just like every other match we won’t come to play for a scoreless draw. We will strive to look like a football club that can stand toe to toe and to get a good result, it’s not just pie in the sky. Chelsea is a very talented team and we have a very big challenge ahead of us.”

Just like the first team, the Under-19 squad is busy ...

Youth Department Action- November 21

League matches, Cup games and lots of action this coming Saturday for the youth department. All of the info's inside

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

 Ziv Arie’s side returns to action and will host Hapoel Beer Sheva in a crucial game. The Yellow-and-Blue want to get back on the winning track after last Matchday’s loss to Hapoel Haifa. The team enjoyed the break and will come into the match and the Champions League game fresh and ready to go.

 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Beer Sheva, Kiryat Shalom Training Facility, 11:00

 Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gady Brumer’s club will also face one of Beer Sheva’s youth sides at Kiryat Shalom. The Yellow-and-Blue’s opponent sit in last place with only a single point, while Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” will look to pick up some points and move up the table.

 Hapoel Ramat Gan – Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv (Cup), The Safari Field, 13:00

 In State Cup Action, Maccabi “Eldad” will face Ramat Gan in the second round of the Israel State Cup at the Safari Field at 13:00.

 Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Shlomi Wurzel” Petach Tikva (Cup), Kiryat Shalom, 13:00

 Maccabi’s other Under-15 team will also play in the second round of the State Cup as they will host Hapoel Petach Tikva at Kiryat Shalom.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “HaShelosha” Beer Sheva, ...

Galili: “I’ve been able to improve year to year”

The break, coming back to league play, Chelsea and the experience of being part of the youth department. Maccabi "Shachar" central defender speaks before their important week ahead

After a two week break, the Israel football league resumes action including the youth leagues. Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Beer Sheva on Saturday, 12:00 at the Ramle Stadium on Matchday Seven of the Toto Youth League. This match will be the first for the side in a very busy week ahead as they will also face Chelsea on Matchday Five of the Champions League Youth League at the Netanya Stadium on Tuesday at 14:00.

Prior to their final training session, the club’s central defender Bar Galili spoke about how he’s been handling a packed schedule, Chelsea and his thoughts about having a two week break:

“The break came at a very good time. We had been in the middle of a very busy time with many matches including the Champions League. Our muscles were “yelling” at us to take a break as we needed the rest where we took some time off from playing but worked on other aspects of the game including tactics and practice. When you’re
playing three games a week you have less practice time, and the time away from the games allowed us to also clear our heads and I think you’ll see this already on Saturday.”

The Under-19 team enters this Saturday’s match winless in its last two games. Does that increase your desire to get back in the win column?

“We want to win every game, including this Saturday’s. It doesn’t matter if we won or lost last match and we come into every game looking to win. The time off and being able to clear our heads will help us achieve this goal, to win.”

Just three days after the match in Ramle the Yellow-and-Blue will play an even tougher opponent, perhaps the toughest of them all in Chelsea. Can you differentiate between the competitions? 

“Of course it’s only normal that we’ll be thinking about that game. It’s Chelsea and they’re coming to Israel where we will want to show that we can play at these types of levels but it shouldn’t bother us. Saturday’s match is an even harder hurdle for us as we have to win and we have to be cognizant of that. If we only think about Chelsea we will miss our chance. We will come into the Beer Sheva game ready as ever and it’s shouldn’t have any effect on Tuesday’s match.”

Today, Friday, is International Children’s Day. As one who grew up in the Yellow-and-Blue youth system, how was it to go through Maccabi’s Youth Department?

“To grow up in Maccabi’s Youth Department is a real learning experience. There is always a sense of achievement and accomplishment from when I arrived at the club as an Under-13 player. Every year we challenged for the title, made it to the late stages of the Cup competitions and got to experience things that not every child does even with the other big teams in the country. There is pressure and games that we have to win be it a State Cup semi final, but again it’s not something that every kid has a chance to experience. I feel that every year since I’ve been part of the youth department I’ve been able to move up step by step and improve year to year.”

After a two week break, the Israel football league resumes ...

Uzan: “The players are winners”

With a perfect record so far and just before the team returns from break, Maccabi "Oded" Tel Aviv coach Ori Uzan talks about how the Under-17 side is succeeding

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv is having a wonderful start to the season with seven victories in a row to begin the year. The young Yellow-and-Blue can set a club record for their age group with a win next game against Hapoel Beer Sheva away on Matchday Eight of the Under-17 League.

Ori Uzan is guiding the Yellow-and-Blue and discussed the terrific start to the 2015/16 campaign and the changes he personally made in becoming the head coach of a youth team: “I’m really happy about the beginning of the season for the kids. I am very demanding about improving their technical ability along with their understanding of the game. We are a good and strong team especially our defense as we’ve given up very few goals but we’re still far off from the level that I expect.”

 The special things he sees with the team:

“Wins are fantastic, but what really makes me happy is to see how the players are winners and how they conduct themselves. Even in the matches against Julis and Tubruk where it took time for us to get going, we were able to show our character and win the games. The boys are competitive and that’s one of my goals for them. I also told the guys that an additional goal of mine is to play as many players as possible this season with the youth team so that they will be good enough when they move up to the next level. There’s two players already who are training with the Under-19 side and that’s an amazing feat.”

On his first experience as a head coach and a youth coach:

“I really enjoy being with Maccabi. I have been with big teams like Maccabi Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem, but with Maccabi it’s a totally different world. The interaction with the whole department is terrific especially my relationship with Nir Levin.”

After his extensive playing career, Uzan worked as Arik Benado’s assistant coach who helped him become the professional he is today:

 “”The two years that I was an assistant coach prepared me for my current role in a certain way. I came with training programs for adults because that is what I knew. But with time I changed the programs for the kids and from what I’ve actually seen on the pitch. That’s one of the things I learnt as an assistant coach, to adapt to the different challenges. I saw certain things that I was not prepared for and together with my staff, Leon Asraf, Yossi Haleva and Antonio Dello Iacono we made the necessary changes and we saw an immediate improvement. Overall, I am really enjoying being a coach.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv sends the most players to the various National Teams in Israel. Although there is great pride with this situation it also creates challenges for the coaches:

“The National Team is a good problem. It’s a great honor to have the most players on the youth National Teams. We’re very proud that our players have scored a good number of goals and assists and have also helped the teams advance to the next round of play, but it’s challenging when we don’t have some players for two days a week. It hurts the makeup of the team and it’s not easy, but we know how to handle these situations.”

Uzan has also found additional ways to keep the National Team players in the loop:

“I go to the National Team practices and of course to the matches. I’m in close contact with Ofer Fabian. The key is to train the players a certain way and the practice sessions are no less important than the actual games themselves. There’s no question that the matches they play help them know how to compete but the big improvements and learning are done in the training sessions.”

What is Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv doing during the break?

“Over the next two weeks we will be doing physical tests, group meetings and analysis, practice games and work on our techniques. We have a tough match against Hapoel Beer Sheva when we come back from the break but I hope to continue their improvement, understanding of the game and how to make decisions. I expect to win but I also really hope that we’ll play good football and continue to raise the level of our play.”

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv is having a wonderful start ...

Youth Department Saturday Action – November 7

Quiet Saturday of matches awaits the Maccabi Youth Department with only the Under-17 and Under-16 sides in action

There’s an abbreviated schedule for the youth department this Saturday as most of the clubs are on break except for the Under-17 and Under-16 teams who will both be in action.

SC Julis – Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, 11:00, Julis

In a match that was postponed from earlier in the season, Ori Uzan and Leon Asraf’s side will visit SC Julis. Maccabi “Oded” will try to keep their perfect away record intact and make up their game in hand.

Maccabi “Goldscheinfeld” Haifa – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 11:00, Ketzef Training Facility, Lower Pitch

Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gadi Brumer’s young Yellow-and-Blue will play their counterparts from Maccabi Haifa. Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” has two matches in hand and on Saturday they hope to continue to move up the league table.

There’s an abbreviated schedule for the youth department this Saturday ...

Arie- “We missed an opportunity”

After the 2:1 defeat to Porto, the club's coach and goal scorer summed up the match and the bitter sweet feeling

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fell to Porto 2:1 and their coach, Ziv Arie spoke about his players that have picked up one-point so far over four matches.

“I feel like we missed an opportunity today. Even in the second half I gambled a bit by going to a 4-4-2 formation and pushed forward and had a number of chances. We tried to win the match and fight for second place. We deserved some points today. We have some issues on the offense side of the ball and we will work on it.”

“We are continuing to learn with time and are becoming more aggressive. We’re very tired so it’s good we have a bit of a break now. I don’t think you can blame the players as they are doing the maximum, they kept pace and are playing solid football. The break now is really important and we will have to practice as well. I believe in practice and we haven’t had a chance to have many recently. We will do everything to improve and work on getting better in the domestic league also.”

The goal scorer Tomer Altman added:

“We kept up with Porto but I feel like we missed a great chance. I felt amazing when the ball went into the goal and I’ve been dreaming of scoring in the competition. But it really doesn’t matter since we lost. There’s no question playing in this tournament is giving us some terrific experience as footballers. We have to keep playing like we have been and concentrate a little more on the small details. I hope that after the break we’ll come back with renewed strength and vigor and win some matches.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv fell to Porto 2:1 and their ...

Almog- We all dream of playing at Bloomfield

Maccabi "Shachar" Tel Aviv hosts Porto tomorrow at Bloomfield Stadium, 14:00. The striker hopes that they'll pick up their first win: "We've got tons of motivation"

Champions League day has already begun. Maccabi “Shachar” had their final training session before their Youth League match against Porto tomorrow at Bloomfield Stadium, 14:00. All fans are invited to check out the next generation of players take on the Dragons free of charge.

Striker Eylon Almog spoke about the will to find the club’s first victory of the competition, advancing to the Elite Round with the Under-17 Israel National Team and also his personal feelings about being one of the younger players on the team: “We’re treating every match in the Champions League as our first, especially since we have yet to win. We’ve got tons of motivation to make sure we can take some points tomorrow at Bloomfield.”

Almog was also part of the Under-17 National Team that participated in the UEFA European Championship qualifying matches recently. Along with another five players from Maccabi’s youth department, the side advanced to the Elite Round: “I went into those games with a bit of concern. Two days before the tournament began I was injured and I thought that I may not be able to play, but thankfully I was ok and I did play in the games. I ended up scoring a brace in our first match against Norway and we won 3:1. Then we lost to France but defeated Northern Ireland 2:1 in the last game where I scored the first goal.”

Even though Almog plays for the Under-17 National Team he is part of the Under-19 Maccabi side. The striker explained his rapid rise in the youth ranks: “It’s not everyday that a player my age will have the chance to play with the older club, but I’m grabbing the opportunity with both hands. I won’t lie, it’s not easy but I’ve got to take things into proportion and not get too excited. I have been with the team since the start of the year and I was part of the training camp that took place in Croatia. I feel that I belong.”

On the opponents that he’s faced so far in the Champions League Youth League: “They are at a very high level. Every player has the physical abilities as a first team player, but I feel that we’ve been able to hold our own so far against both Kiev and Porto. You could really see the difference against Chelsea but we still we’re able to compete with them.”

Tomorrow, Maccabi “Shachar” will play its first match at Bloomfield: “I’m sure that every single player in the youth department dreams of playing at Bloomfield. The fact that we are playing there is motivation enough for our match against Porto tomorrow.”

Champions League day has already begun. Maccabi “Shachar” had ...

Yellow-and-Blue Saturday – Match Results October 31

Hapoel “Robbie” Haifa 2:0 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv

The Under-19 team lost its second game in a row in the Winner Youth League falling to Hapoel Haifa away 2:0. Maccabi “Shachar” couldn’t find a way to get back on the winning track as they gave up an early goal in the 17th minute to Saar Fadida. Coach Ziv Arie was forced to play a make shift lineup due to many players having been called up to play for the first team in the Toto Cup match against Bnei Yehuda this past Wednesday evening. The young Yellow-and-Blue substituted in Or Dasa, Amit Shapira and Mahmoud Alawesat but were unable to find the equalizer giving up a 90th minute goal to Holy Abdala who put the ball past ‘keeper Haviv Ohayon.

On Wednesday Maccabi “Shachar” will face Porto on Matchday Four of the Champions League Youth League at Bloomfield Stadium, 14:00. Admission is free of charge.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 2:1 Bnei Sakhnin

Leon Asraf and Ori Uzan’s side didn’t miss a beat after coming back from the international break. Maccabi “Oded” picked up their sixth victory in a row in the Under-17 league as Deslin Belachio and Eden Kartzav scored for the young Yellow-and-Blue. The club will have another break this coming week and will then visit Hapoel Beer Sheva.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Week off

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 5:1 Hapoel “Danny” Jerusalem

Gil Ben Shalosh, Osher Davida, Koren Gadge, Yuval Ben Ami and Bar Cohen all scored for Maccabi against Hapoel Jerusalem at Kiryat Shalom and will remain in first place for yet another week in the Under-15 league. The side will now be off for the next two weeks and will return to action away against Hapoel Beer Sheva.

Maccabi “Team 2” Tel Aviv 5:0 Hapoel Raanana

The Yellow-and-Blue Under-15 second team also won this week right before they head to a break. Omer Itzhak, Roie Zahavi, Guy Mizrahi and Yonatan Izen all scored for the club to go along with a Raanana own goal. In two weeks Maccabi will face FC Nesher.

Hapoel “Robbie” Haifa 2:0 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv