Assaf Madar scored two late goals to help Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" record their third consecutive victory
In a match that delivered on its promise of being a thrilling encounter, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" beat Beitar Jerusalem 4-2 in matchweek 3 of the national Under-19 Premier League. Maccabi's Under-19s haven't lost to Beitar Jerusalem since March 2008 and last season head coach Amir Turjeman's squad won both games between the two sides, scoring four goals in each game. The tradition continued today, with Maccabi scoring four goals and winning 4-2. Beitar took the lead twice in the first half but Maccabi strikers Dor Jan and Amit Farhi both scored equalisers before half-time. Assaf Madar, who came on as a substitute toward the end of the match, scored another two to settle the final score for Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar's" third consecutive victory.
Commenting on the game, Amir Turjeman said: "I am happy we won the way we did. I always tell my players that even if there are glitches during the game and we concede goals, it isn’t the end of the world. You have to know how to keep your head up, move forward and come out on top".
The game started out rather slowly, until the middle of the first half when Beitar Jerusalem's first goal woke the players of both teams into action. Just past the quarter hour mark it was Beitar's Tomer Yeruham who gave the visitors the advantage with a low and accurate ball past Maccabi keeper Gal Tovali into the corner of the net. Maccabi Tel Aviv moved forward in an attempt to equalise, and did so after 36 minutes courtesy of Dor Jan, who latched on to a long ball from defender Dean Akafi and scored his third goal of the season. Two minutes later Yeruham scored his and Beitar Jerusalem's second goal but the final note of the first half was sounded by Amit Farhi. Maccabi Tel Aviv Shachar's forward rose to meet David Aviv's high ball and headed into the net just seconds before the whistle for half-time.
The second half started with Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" on the attack in an attempt to take the lead for the first time in the game. Midfielder Daniel Gretz was heavily involved and he twice came close to scoring, but was stopped by Beitar Jerusalem's goalkeeper Stav Shoshan. Guy Cohen came closest to scoring ten minutes from time when he bounced a shot over Shoshan's head, only to see the ball hit the crossbar. Just when it seemed the winning goal was escaping him, and with only several minutes left on the clock, Amir Turjeman made a winning substitution. Assaf Madar went on seven minutes from time and with his first touch scored the goal that put Maccabi out in front. In injury time Madar doubled the advantage as he rose to meet a high ball from Itam Shamai and headed in the goal that sealed Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar"'s third victory in three matches.
Next week Maccabi's Under-19s will play an away game against Hapoel Beer Sheva in an encounter that brings back sweet memories of last May, when Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" celebrated winning the Israeli Under-19 Premier League championship after victory in the Negev.
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar": Gal Tovali, Itam Shamai, Shachar Piven, Dor Peretz, Din Akafi, Daniel Gertz, David Aviv, Sharon Zisso, Guy Cohen, Amit Farhi and Dor Jan.
