Yonatan Cohen's 38th minute goal proved insufficient as Maccabi's U19s succumb 2-1 to Ashdod
After their dramatic loss last week in the Tel Aviv derby, only the third of the U19 Premier League season, Maccabi Tel Aviv "Shachar" travelled south down the Mediterranean coast to face Ashdod FC, whom they beat 4-0 at home earlier in the season, with the hope of returning to the winning ways that had seen them triumph in seven consecutive league encounters. Their opponents in this matchday 20 tie came into the match on a wave of two consecutive victories and extended it to three after a goal in each half sufficed to beat a Maccabi side that produced only temporary relief, a 38th minute equaliser by striker Yonatan Cohen.
Maccabi started the brighter side, but after half an hour of probing the Ashdod defences for a way to the goal, it was at the other end that the first goal of the game was scored. Ashdod's Dean David second shot on goal beat Maccabi keeper Sahar Hason and handed the home side a 1-0 lead. Eight minutes later the visitors restored parity when league-leading goalscorer Yonatan Cohen was brought down in the area and converted the penalty himself to bring the sides level until the break.
After the restart the home side took over the reins and just under ten minutes in only the timely intervention of Sahar Hason prevented Ashdod's Asfa from restoring home-side advantage. Six minutes later the Maccabi keeper was less fortunate when Elior Mishali pried a ball away from him and slotted home. At 2-1 down "Shachar" returned to life and made repeated attempts to get back into the game. Striker Mavis Chibota saw one shot blocked and a corner kick hit the woodwork, and both Yonatan Cohen and midfielder Matan Hozez came close in injury time. But ultimately the day belonged to Ashdod FC as Maccabi's Under-19s suffered their second defeat in as many outings, both by the score of 2-1. Fortunately for "Shachar" the damage was limited to the loss of a single point off their lead at the top of the national U19 Premier League after second-placed Maccabi Haifa drew with Hapoel Tel Aviv.
On Wednesday head coach Ziv Arie's lads will have the opportunity to restore normal service when they host municipal archrivals Hapoel Tel Aviv for a State Cup quarter-final derby.
