Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" suffered their first loss of the season in the derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv
After dropping their first points in Beer Sheva last week, MTA Under-19 head coach Amir Turjeman's players returned to the Kiryat Shalom training ground in an attempt to maintain a perfect home record in the intriguing derby against arch-rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv. Although the two sides came into the match separated by a huge 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 was awarded to Hapoel Tel Aviv and Amit Amzaleg smashed a powerful ball into the corner of the Maccabi net to give his side a one-goal 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 interval 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 Hapoel Tel Aviv half. 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 close range. Maccabi head coach Amir Turjeman introduced all of his attacking options, but to no avail. Daniel Gretz was next in line to threaten the goal toward the end with a shot 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 settling the scoring with his second goal. 0-2 to Hapoel Tel Aviv and "Shachar"'s first loss of the season after three wins and a draw.
There will be no games this Saturday in the national Under-19 Premier League and in two weeks' time "Shachar" 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.
