Shachar Fiban and Dan Glazer are two young Maccabi stars preparing for the new season with the U19s: "The door to the senior squad is wide open"
Not far from the bright lights of the Israeli Premier League, the 2014/15 season for the Under-19s will also be kicking off this weekend when on Saturday at 11am Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" host Hapoel Rishon Lezion at the municipal stadium in Holon. Head coach Ziv Arie's lads have already had an impressive pre-season, winning an international tournament that was held last month in Holland. "We'll have a team that will continue the work we've already started", began young midfielder Dan Glazer, who'll be captaining the side. "That means pushing the lads forward. Of course we'll be wanting to win a few titles as well, and every match if possible. But first and foremost the Under-19s are there to get players to the first team".
Defender Shachar Fiban, one of the team's "veterans", picked up where the team skipper left off: "We're a very tactical side, moving the ball patiently, calmly advancing the game, a team that want to succeed doing it their own way according to what the coach calls for, in addition to winning titles of course. Our players are older this year, they've had more experience in the U19 Premier League, and that should help us a lot". Fiban is in the class of '95 and as such is one of the "exceptionals" in a side composed mostly of the class of '96 in their second season at the Under-19s. "I think this year should be easier in terms of team cohesion than last year when we had so many changes in the squad. Last season we really were a new team altogether, mostly from the class of '96, and they were new in the Under-19s. This season the squad is mostly settled but the guys are more mature and they make up most of the side and can help the younger lads work themselves into the team".
At the beginning of this season the members of the U19 squad already saw a number of their team-mates being given run-outs in the senior squad – Sean Goldberg, Dor Peretz, Guy Aviv and even Dan Glazer have already seen first team action. For the younger players this serves as inspiration to aspire to a fixed position on the country's championship squad: "Maccabi Tel Aviv are not just any football club", said Dan Glazer, who took to the pitch for the seniors for the first time in the club's "Toto" (League) Cup tie against Maccabi Netanya. "In the Premier League Maccabi Tel Aviv have the highest ambitions for success so it's kind of hard to make the cut. Having said that we definitely feel that all the doors are open. The first team coaching staff come specially to see us train, they know our abilities and what our strengths and weaknesses are. If we carry on working hard and the Youth Division staff continue to help us improve then we can make it, and that would be like a dream come true. And seeing Sean and Dor play for the seniors, that just proves my case".
Fiban again has a word to add: "The club are run like a European outfit , even where promoting the young players is concerned. Each of us feels we're getting better, me too, compared to when I started in the Under-19s. Of course you don't get to the seniors automatically, you have to take it step by step. But I think for an Under-19, Maccabi Tel Aviv are the best club to grow and develop and improve in".
"Improve and win titles", Glazer adds. "The staff work with you personally on the pitch and at practices. They'll come say half an hour early to work with the strikers or on tactics with certain players. Of course like with any club the first thing you want to do is win, take the title and make the fans and the coaches happy. We know if we win titles and look good on the pitch the senior staff will notice it and that'll help us make the climb".
Fiban was made to feel part of the first team when he joined them for the summer pre-season training camp in Austria: "I matured a lot at that camp. To get up in the morning and have breakfast with senior players like Eytan Tibi, ask him questions and get advice before and after training from Sheran Yeini or Carlos Garcia and learn from them. These are guys who've had lots of experience on the senior team, won titles and played for young Israel or Spain. I learnt at least three things from each of them, either technical things or about their character or practical things on the pitch and that's definitely made me a better player".
Dan Glazer, who'll be celebrating his 18th birthday next week, will be the Under-19 captain this season, something he'll not be taking for granted: "It's a great commitment and responsibility to be captain at Maccabi Tel Aviv, and great fun as well. I've been with (coach) Ziv four years now, three of them as captain, and I know exactly what he wants of me, both as a holding midfielder and as team captain. I'll try to get the younger lads to function as a team and to help every player I can. I want to keep a positive atmosphere in the team and lots of positive energy in the dressing room".
