Dor Jan and Dor Peretz added to Daniel Gretz's opening goal and clinched victory in the champion's opening match of the season
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" opened the season on the right foot, beating their close rivals for last year's title, Beitar Tubruk. Head coach Amir Turjeman's squad seemed up to the challenge from the start, as midfielder Daniel Gretz and striker Dor Jan scored within the first 20 minutes. Despite a goal by the opposition, who scored from the spot before half-time, Maccabi's Under-19s held on to their one goal margin until injury time, when midfielder Dor Peretz sealed the final 3-1 result with a goal from close range.
After 10 minutes of testing the waters, the visitors were the first to make a threat on goal, but Maccabi keeper Gal Tovali deflected a close range header by Tubruk's Dor Malka. "Shachar" then took control of the game and two minutes later found the net with Daniel Gertz completing a good cross from team captain Dean Akafi. With twenty minutes on the match clock, Daniel Levy was fouled in the area and Maccabi were awarded a penalty kick, which Dor Jan converted to double the home side's advantage. Toward the end of the half the visitors broke forward and three minutes before halftime were also awarded a penalty, which Dor Malka converted to reduce Maccabi's margin to 2-1 as the referee blew the half-time whistle.
Despite several cooling breaks to counter the the increasing heat after the restart, the pace in the second half slowed considerably. The visitors tried to penetrate Maccabi Tel Aviv's defences, but the back four held firm and responded with attempts to create rapid counter attacks at the other end. Nevertheless, no significant chances were recorded until injury time, when Daniel Gretz found Dor Peretz in open space in front of goal and the midfielder sliced past the Tubruk keeper to finalise the score at 3-1.
In matchweek 2 next Saturday, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will set out for a tricky away tie against Hapoel Kfar Saba.
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" line-up: Gal Tovali, Itam Shamai (Tamir Avrahamian 77'), Dor Peretz, Daniel Levy, Dean Akafi, Daniel Schwartzboim, Daniel Gretz, Assaf Madar (Dror Sagi 58'), Amit Farhi (Sagiv Yehezkel 65', Roi Yair 89'), Guy Cohen (Amash Mansour 62'), Dor Jan.
