Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" suffered their first loss of the season in the Derby against HaPoel Tel Aviv
After dropping their first points in Be'er Sheva last week, MTA Under-19 head coach Amir Turjeman's players returned to the Kiryat Shalom training ground in an attempt to retain a perfect home record in the intriguing Derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Although the two sides came into the match separated by a wide gap in the table, the final score proved that where derby ties are concerned, it isn't always ranking that matters. A goal either side of half time by Amit Amzaleg meant that 12th placed Hapoel Tel Aviv dealt Maccabi Tel Aviv their first loss of the season.
The first half provided little in the way of attractive football and although Maccabi retained the lion's share of possession, it was the visitors who managed to create the first goal. Just after the half hour mark a penalty kick was ruled in favour of Hapoel Tel Aviv and Amit Amzaleg smashed a powerful ball into the corner to give his team the advantage. After falling behind, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" turned up the tempo and began threatening the Hapoel goal. First striker Amit Farhi saw his shot saved by Hapoel keeper Itzik Mizrahi and five minutes to the break a dangerous ball by Guy Cohen was pushed away by the goalkeeper at a stretch. A very weak half ended with a 0-1 advantage for Hapoel Tel Aviv.
After the restart most of the action took place in the half of Hapoel Tel Aviv. Maccabi laboured to penetrate the strong Hapoel defence and it was only midway through the half that Guy Cohen managed to come close, only to miss a good opportunity from short range. Amir Turjeman introduced all of his attacking options, but to no avail. Daniel Gertz was next in line to threaten the goal toward the end with a kick from inside the penalty area that strayed wide. The Maccabi pressure continued to go unrewarded and Hapoel scored their second goal on the break in injury time. Amit Amzaleg settled the scoring with his second goal, 0-2 to Hapoel Tel Aviv.
This was Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar"'s first season loss after three wins and a draw. There will be no games this Saturday in the Youth Premier League and in two weeks' time the Under-19s will play away at Ironi Ramat HaSharon.
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar": Gal Tovali, Itam Shamai (Rotem Buskila 80'), Daniel Levi (Sharon Zisso 60'), Shachar Piven, Dean Akafi, David Aviv (Dor Peretz 49'), Daniel Gretz, Guy Cohen, Assaf Madar (Almog Ohayon 73'), Amit Farhi (Sagiv Yehezkel 46'), Dor Jan.
