Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" suffered their second loss this season with a 3-0 away defeat against Hapoel Ramat Hasharon
After three consecutive victories at the beginning of the season, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar"'s winning ways have been dwindling somewhat over the past few weeks, with a draw and a loss in their last two matches. Today the Under-19s came to Ramat Hasharon to face Under-19 Premier League newcomers Hapoel Ramat Hasharon in the hope of returning to their winning ways. Unfortunately for the visitors, their fortunes looked nothing like changing as they suffered an unambiguous 3-0 defeat. The hosts made life difficult for "Shachar" as soon as the ref blew the kick-off whistle and they were already at a 2-0 advantage by half-time. Head coach Amir Turjeman's players tried to get back into the game in the second half, but Hapoel Ramat Hasharon left them no chance and scored a third goal of their own toward the end of the match.
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" had possession of the ball during the first minutes of the game and looked to threaten the opposition goal, mostly through midfielder Sharon Zisso and striker Dor Jan. For their part, the hosts tried to score on the counter and twenty minutes in it was only thanks to Maccabi keeper Shlomi Costa that Ramat Hasharon did not get on the scoreboard. Five minutes later, however, even he was unable to stop the hosts and Hapoel Ramat Hasharon got their first goal of the match. Maccabi responded with two scoring opportunities within a minute, but Dean Akafi and Dor Jan both hit the post. Then, close to the break, Maccabi were down to ten men as midfielder Dor Peretz was sent off for a second bookable offence, and the one-man deficit showed immediately. With just one minute remaining in the half, Maccabi once again found themselves fishing the ball out of their own net: Shlomi Costa saved once and got a glove to a second effort but ultimately was unable to prevent the hosts' second goal. Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" left for the break both two goals and one man down.
In the second half, Guy Cohen, Amit Farhi and Sagiv Yehezkel were sent on as substitutes in an attempt to revive "Shachar"'s fortunes. Despite pressure from Maccabi Tel Aviv, the hosts managed once again to beat the visitor's defences and score their third goal toward the end of the match. At the other end, Turjeman's lads failed to find the net in the remaining time and left the pitch having suffered their second consecutive loss, 3-0 to Hapoel Ramat Hasharon.
Next Saturday Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will attempt to recover in a home game against Hapoel Rishon Lezion, which will be played without spectators due to crowd disturbances at the recent derby against municipal rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" lineup: Shlomi Costa, Rotem Buskila, Mantzur Amash, Dor Peretz, Dean Akafi, Daniel Gertz, Itam Shamai, Sharon Zisso, Assaf Madar, Dor Jan
