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Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" extended their run of good form with a 3-0 victory over Ironi Kiryat Shmona. Goals by Sohil Armeli, Yonatan Cohen and Eliel Peretz

The return of Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s to form could not have been timed better and today the team extended their excellent run of a seventh victory in eight outings with a 3-0 victory over their counterparts from Ironi Kiryat Shmona. In doing so, head coach Ziv Arie's charges kept up the pressure at the top of the Nation Under-19 Premier League table by maintaining the four points that separate them from league leaders Maccabi Haifa.

After winning the parallel home fixture earlier this season, Ironi Kiryat Shmona arrived at Maccabi's Kiryat Shalom training ground hoping to repeat the feat, and in the first half they did in fact show the greater attacking intent. But they were unable to get past Maccabi keeper Sahar Hason, who kept a clean sheet as he has done in the past six matches. At the other end, Maccabi's Ofek Barzani, who netted a brace last week against Maccabi Netanya, was once again placed in the striker's role and his overhead kick in the first half came close to finding its target. Midfielders Shaked Azulay and Daniel Gretz also saw their efforts miss their mark and the first half ended in a goalless deadlock. 

After the restart it was striker Sohil Armeli whose measured strike into the corner of the Kiryat Shmona net from inside the area who put Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" in front 1-0 and sent his teammates off to the terraces to celebrate with the fans. The advantage was doubled four minutes later with striker Yonatan Cohen's fifth goal of the season and nine minutes from time substitute midfielder Eliel Peretz scored the third Maccabi goal from close range to seal yet another decisive victory for the club's Under-19s.

The victory extended "Shachar"'s longest run of good form this season, having taken 22 of their last 24 points with seven consecutive clean sheets and a goal ratio of 17 to 1. They still trail Maccabi Haifa by four points after the league leaders also won this Saturday, beating Hapoel Rishon Lezion, where "Shachar" will play their next game in matchweek 23 of the Israeli Under-19 Premier League.