Maccabi's U19s suffered their first season loss 2-1 at Beitar Jerusalem
After a two week international break sitting atop the national U19 Premier League table, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" returned to league duties today in the nation's capital to face Beitar Jerusalem. The Under-19s went into the match unbeaten this season, having recorded six victories and one draw in their first seven league outings. But "Shachar"'s run of seven league matches without loss came to an end today as their hosts beat them 2-1, a result that also knocked them off the top spot of the league. Two goals either side of half time handed Beitar a 2-0 lead going into the final ten minutes of the match, when midfielder Matan Hozez pulled one back for Maccabi from the penalty spot.
As has been customary this season, "Shachar" head coach Ziv Arie's charges made a bright start to the match, placing pressure on the opposition goal from the very early moments. Midfielder Eliel Peretz was the first to set his sights on target, but his deflected effort was cast aside at full stretch by Beitar keeper Tamir Lalo. Fellow midfielder Shaked Azulay, making his first start of the season, also had a go from outside the area but his shot went wide. Maccabi's young Congolese striker, Mavis Tchibota, had a more promising chance, facing the Beitar keeper alone, but once again Lalo rose to the occasion and blocked Tchibota's effort. It was then, against the run of play, that the home side scored, when a clearance of a Beitar corner fell into the path Jerusalem's Bar Cohen, who sliced the ball past Maccabi keeper Haviv Ohayon. Close to the end of the first period the same Ohayon saved his side from further deficit when he made a decent save from an onrushing Avishai Cohen.
After the restart Maccabi redoubled their efforts to find an equaliser but without any success. Matan Hozez, who came in off the bench at the break, had the first chance of the half when he broke down the left, but his right-footed shot sailed just beyond the post. This was followed in short order by a second Maccabi attack that nearly produced an equaliser. Midfielder Eliel Peretz provided a lovely ball for Yonatan Cohen in the area but the striker's subsequent effort missed the target by a whisker. Ten minutes into the half a moment of controversy arose when Mavis Tchibota believed his effort had crossed the line only to see play waved on. On 63 minutes Beitar doubled their advantage when Bar Shalom scored his second goal on the break. "Shachar" defender Ofek Barzani and Matan Hozez subsequently both saw efforts lifted by the wind onto the crossbar, but with ten minutes left on the clock it was the latter who finally put Maccabi on the scoreboard after successfully converting from the spot. But Beitar held out for the win and Maccabi recorded their first loss of the new season.
Next week "Shachar" will attempt to return to winning ways at home at the Kiryat Shalom training ground when they face Hapoel Beer Sheva.
Line-up: Haviv Ohayon, Guy Aviv, Shachar Fiban, Sheked Azulay, Maxim Gretchkin, Dan Glazer, Eliel Peretz, Sohil Armeli, Mavis Tchibota, Raz Itzhak, Yonatan Cohen.
