Raz Yitzhak's goal ten minutes from time saved Maccabi's U19s a point at Ra'anana
Havivng won their first five league games, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Under-19s set out today to play Hapoel Ra'anana with a view to extending their perfect season so far. Their opponents were likewise keen on maintaining their good start to the season that has kept them in touch with the top of the U19 Premier League table. The visitors kept up the pressure throughout the match but it was the home side that drew first blood in the second half. Ten minutes from time substitute striker Raz Yitzhak score a deserved equaliser for Maccabi, who despite dropping their first points of the 2014/15 season held on to the top spot in the table.
The home side were the first to attack with intent to surprise keeper Eliad Graf, making his first start of the season in the Maccabi goal, but Ra'anana's Ben Mizdan failed to convert the opportunity. From that point on all traffic headed in one direction, that of ex-Maccabi keeper Omri Glazer. Maccabi Tel Aviv's first chance was taken on the quarter hour mark by midfielder Sohil Armeli, whose powerful shot on the run flew over. Moments later "Shachar"'s Congolese forward Mavis Chibote came closer but Glazer managed to slap the ball away at a stretch. The two adversaries met again close to the end of the first half when Chibote got closer with just Glazer to beat but the result was the same, with the Ra'anana keeper coming off his line to block the effort.
Maccabi head coach Ziv Arie freshened up his attack after the restart by sending on Raz Yitzhak but the first efforts came from long range by striker Yonatan Cohen and midfielder Eliel Peretz. Peretz also received good service from Yitzhak in the area but let the good chance go begging when his finish dribbled wide. And as often happens when the opposition are constantly attacking, Ra'anana produced a rare but effective counter on the hour mark that enabled to another ex-Maccabi player, Sagi Dror, to hand the home side the surprise advantage. It took the visitors another twenty minutes to find an equaliser, with five-time scorer Yonatan Cohen turning provider with his fourth assist for Raz Yitzhak, who shot into an open goal ten minutes from time to draw his side level. Maccabi pressed on to find the winner but ran out of time, recording their first draw of the season after five consecutive victories. Next week Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" will host Maccabi Netanya in matchweek 7 of the National U19 Premier League.
Line-up: Eliad Graf, Guy Aviv, Edan Yogev, Shachar Fiban, Maxim Gretchkin, Dan Glazer, Eliel Peretz, Sohil Armeli, Matan Hozez, Mavis Chibote, Yonatan Cohe.
