The MTA Youth Division's third State Cup goes to U13 South after a clear win against Maccabi Haifa
After having won their first two State Cup trophies on Friday, the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Division's third representative in the finals of the competition, the Under-13 Team South, took to the pitch this afternoon to face their northern namesakes, Maccabi Haifa, at "Beit Hanivharot" in the Tel Aviv suburb of Shfayim. Already sitting top of their nationwide Under-13 League Central District, head coach Ori David's Under-13s hoped to add this prestigious trophy to an already successful season. In earlier rounds the youngsters had swept aside Hapoel Herzliya, Hapoel Jerusalem and Bnei Sakhnin. In the last sixteen they defeated Hapoel Ra'anana 4-2, in the quarter finals they triumphed 4-1 over Ashdod FC and in the semi-finals they eliminated Maccabi Netanya 4-2 after an intriguing tie.
The Under-13s found the early going against Maccabi Haifa rough as the northerners quickly jumped to a one goal lead. But their response was swift and unequivocal: A spot-kick by Osher David followed by Idan Shachar's header and a further effort by Tal Yegudaev put Maccabi Tel Aviv ahead 3-1. Maccabi Haifa then pulled one back for 3-2, but after that it was all yellow as Omri Ram added a brace and Osher Davidi scored his second of the match to hand Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-13 Team South a 6-2 victory. Squad members, trainers and special guests Hapoel Taibe Youth, whom the Under-13s have recently played in two exhibition games to promote co-existence, all celebrated together as the State Cup trophy was added to their already impressive season 2013/14 resume.
