Israel's U19s, bolstered by six young Maccabi stars, reached the final of the International Chela Tournament in Serbia
Israel's Under-19s finished second at the prestigious international Chela tournament, held annually in Serbia, with six nations participating in the competition: Ukraine, Belguim, Hungary, Israel and hosts Serbia. Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" sent six young stars to the tournament, more than any other club in Israel: Goalkeeper Sahar Hason, defenders Idan Yogev and Guy Aviv, midfielders Dan Glazer and Matan Hozez and striker Stav Ben Aharon. Israel's opening match saw them outclass Belguim 3-0, when Maccabi's Matan Hozez came off the bench and added an individual effort five minutes from time to a brace by Hapoel Tel Aviv 's Or Hasidim. In addition to substitutes Hozez and Idan Yogev, four "Shachar" stars appeared in the first eleven: Sahar Hason, Guy Aviv, Dan Glazer and Stav Ben Aharon.
The Under-19s repeated the 3-0 scoreline in their second game against Hungary, with Matan Hozez once again coming off the bench to score seven minutes after the restart. Maccabi's Idan Yogev was also given a second half call-up and scored the team's final goal. In between Hapoel Tel Aviv's Or Hasidim scored his third goal of the tournament in a game that saw Guy Aviv, Dan Glazer and Stav Ben Aharon all in the starting eleven.
In the final Israel's opponents were hosts Serbia, and this time Matan Hozez not only started but scored Israel's go-ahead goal on the half hour. In the second half though Israel conceded twice to lose the contest 2-1 and finish in second place. Dan Glazer was also in the first eleven, with Idan Yogev coming on as a substitute.
