Sagiv Yehezkel's winning goal one minute from time hands Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" their second league victory of the season
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s arrived in Kfar Saba today for a tricky tie in matchweek 2 of the national Under-19 Premier League. After falling behind in the first half through a goal by Kfar Saba's Ben Ajobel, "Shachar" got back into the match after the restart and goals by Dor Jan and Sagiv Yehezkiel overturned the deficit to hand the visitors their second consecutive league victory..
Maccabi started the game a bit better than their rivals and after just two minutes, Dean Akafi and then Assaf Madar both came close to scoring. It was after this good run of play though that a Maccabi error in the back four cost them dearly. Kfar Saba's Ben Ajobel took full advantage of the blunder and shot accurately into the corner of Maccabi keeper Gal Tovali's net to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage. After falling behind, "Shachar" struggled to create chances while their opponents missed opportunities to increase their lead. Ten minutes from the half-time whistle Maccabi's Daniel Gretz, who came on for the injured Daniel Schwartzboim, tried but failed to surprise Kfar Saba keeper Yoav Merani in front of goal.
In the second half, "Shachar" head coach Alon Turjeman introduced more attacking options and the run of play moved mainly in the direction of the Hapoel Kfar Saba goal. Sagi Dror, Daniel Gretz and Sagiv Yehezkel all struck unsuccessfully from outside the area and six minutes past the hour mark right back Itam Shamai also tried his luck. His shot though was parried by the goalkeeper into the path of striker Dor Jan who pounced on the ball and scored his second goal in as many matches, drawing the teams level at 1-1. In the end Turjeman's attacking substitutions and the resultant increased pressure from Maccabi's Under-19s bore fruit and won the game. Just one minute from time, Almog Ohayon worked his way into the area and crossed sharply and accurately to Sagiv Yehezkel, who easily scored in front of an open goal to give Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" the lead. As Kfar Saba moved forward to find an equaliser, "Shachar" could have increased their lead with several menacing counter attacks but at the final whistle the score remained 1-2 in favour of the visitors.
For Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" it was their second consecutive victory as they prepare to host Beitar Jerusalem next Saturday in an attempt to maintain a positive opening to their 2012/13 season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" lineup: Gal Tovali, Itam Shamai, Shachar Piven, Daniel Levy, Dean Akafi, Daniel Schwartzboim, Dor Peretz, Sharon Zisso, Sagi Dror, Assaf Madar and Dor Jan.
