With Israel's Under-17s on international duty, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-16s made week-end headlines by maintaining their hold at the top of their table with a sixth victory in six league matches
Three matches at Kiryat Ono and three more at Hapoel Tel Aviv's Wolfson training ground – these were just part of the programme Maccabi Tel Aviv's Youth Division faced this past Saturday. In addition to Maccabi's Under-19s victory 3-1 over Maccabi Netanya, twelve other Youth Division matches were played on Saturday resulting in nine wins, two losses and one draw. The headline result was that of the Under-16s, who continued to enjoy a successful start to their new season by overwhelming Ashdod FC by a score of 7-1 at the Kiryat Shalom training ground, bringing their points total this season to a perfect 18 from six encounters. Omer Lakau finished the match after putting four balls into the Ashdod net, with Itai Fibnick, Shai Golan and Ofri Mashata providing the other three. Next week, the Under-16s will set out for the "match of the season" against Hapoel Beer Sheva, who much like Maccabi Tel Aviv "Eli Fuchs" have had a perfect record so far this season, albeit with a less impressive goal difference.
The Under-15s, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Eldad", beat Hapoel Kiryat Ono away 0-2 courtesy of goals by Ejjy Haford and Oriel Tisuna. The victory brings their season points total to eleven, with three wins and two draws, two points behind the leaders of their league table Hapoel Rishon Lezion. Next week the two teams will meet at Kiryat Shalom. Maccabi's Under-15 Team 2 travelled to "Hatsfoni" Park to face Hapoel Ra'anana and returned with an impressive 0-3 victory. Much like their two Under-15 counterparts, both of Maccabi's Under-14 teams registered wins on Saturday. Team South beat Ashdod FC 4-0 at Kiryat Shalom courtesy of goals by Amit Zolicha, Gal Porat and a brace by Tal Daon. Team North beat Hapoel Kfar Saba 1-2 at their "Levita" facility.
With one very junior exception, Maccabi's Under-13 teams proved to be the most prolific of all the Youth Division teams, scoring eight goals each in their Saturday encounters. Team South overpowered Hapoel Kiryat Ono 0-8 and are now sharing their league table summit with municipal rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv, having taken full points from their first three league matches. Team North hosted Beitar Haifa at Kiryat Shalom and they too scored eight goals while conceding just one. Under-12 Team South lost 6-5 away to Hapoel Kiryat Ono but Team North won 4-1 at home against Section Nes Ziona. Finally, Maccabi Tel Aviv's youngest competitors all played derby matches at municipal rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv's Wolfson training ground. The Under-11 Team North topped the Youth Division's week-end goal scorers, putting 17 past their Hapoel adversaries while conceding six. Team South were not so fortunate, losing 9-5. Maccabi's Under-10 Team South also had a derby day and finished level at seven goals apiece.
