Despite a good display in the first half, Maccabi Tel Aviv trailed visitors Maccabi Netanya at the break. After the restart, Dor Jan, Amit Farhi and Yonatan Cohen turned the match around
On Saturday, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s had their character put to the test and came through with flying colours after a 3-1 victory over Maccabi Netanya at the Kiryat Shalom training ground in Tel Aviv. For the charges of Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" head coach Ziv Arie, this was their third match in the space of just over a week and they finished it off in style after going 0-1 down in the first half. A spot kick by Dor Jan provided the equaliser just short of the hour mark and three minutes from time a goal from inside the area by fellow striker Amit Farhi put Maccabi Tel Aviv ahead. One minute into time added on, with the guests pressing forward for an equaliser of their own, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Yonatan Cohen found himself all alone with the ball in the Netanya half of the pitch and added to his side's margin of victory.
In the first half Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" dominated proceedings and with just two minutes on the clock striker Dor Jan bounced a shot towards the goal that found the Maccabi Netanya keeper Dean Gal ready. Six minutes later midfielder Matan Hozaz curled a shot towards the goal that was swept aside for a corner. With half an hour gone and "Shachar"'s domination failing to produce a goal, Maccabi Netanya managed to gain the ascendancy against the run of play. Itai Mentsour, unmarked on the right flank, crossed into the area and striker Eli Broush beat "Shachar" keeper Sahar Hason to fire home. Three minutes from the break a Matan Hozaz cross found midfielder Dan Glazer, but his header flew straight into the hands of the Netanya keeper.
The second half began with Netanya taking the upper hand and four minutes after the restart "Shachar" keeper Hason was once again called into action to stem the tide. Close to the hour mark "Shachar" striker Amit Farhi came off the substitute's bench and two minutes later was brought down in the area. "Shachar" captain Dor Jan stepped up to the spot and sent a ball into the right hand corner of the Netanya net to equalise for the home side. Five minutes later Netanya defender Muhmad Agabaria headed a throw-in onto "Shachar" keeper Hason's post but after that it was all Tel Aviv. Three minutes from time second-half substitute Yonatan Cohen completed the turnaround when he came down the left and sent in a cross that Amit Farhi put into the Netanya net on the slide. With five minutes of stoppage time added on, Dor Jan took advantage of Netanya's defensive exposure in their search for an equaliser and found Yonatan Cohen alone in front of goal who scored "Shachar"'s third in a 3-1 final.
For "Shachar", playing this morning in blue, this third season victory keeps them close to the top of the table with ten points. Next week Maccabi's Under-19s head north to play Hapoel Kiryat Shmona.
