Matchday 13 of the Israel Youth Premier League pitted Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv against Hapoel Petah Tikva as the club’s Under-19 team sat in 5th place with 3 wins and a draw over their last four matches. The host’s came into the contest in 15th place with just 2 league wins. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s attack included Or Dasa, Eylon Almog and William Agada.
Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Amit Glazer, Alon Shtrozberg, Fadi Najar, Yoav Hofmayster, Tamir Glazer, Eden Kartzev, Prince Thomas, Or Dasa, Eylon Almog, William Agada.
First Half
Maccabi went on the offensive right from the get to and in the 2’ a Thomas free kick almost found the back of the goal but keeper Yair Hemo made the timely save and sent the ball out for a corner. Ten minutes later, Kartzev tried his luck from long distance but Hemo was in place while in the 15’ a mixup on the Yellow & Blue defensive end gave Yakir Natan a chance in close, but the opposing midfielder couldn’t get a good attempt off.
In the 22’ Dasa took control of the ball in the midfield and went by two defenders, but his opportunity was taken care of by Hemo. Four minutes later Petah Tikva midfielder Tal Zuares came in off the right wing and crossed the ball into the middle but Natan’s header missed the target. As the match hit the 38’ Agada went streaking down the left side, beat a defender and passed the ball to Almog, but his chance was saved by Hemo. Just before the halftime whistle Dasa took the ball in the midfield, but his shot from the top of the box was stopped by the keeper as Maccabi controlled the pace in the first half, however, went into the break goalless.
Second Half
Maccabi tried to break the ice early on in the second half, but in the 54’ it was almost Petah Tikva who would score first as the host’s found the back of the goal, however, it was ruled to be offside. Finally, three minutes later, the young Yellow & Blue would take a 1:0 lead when Almog came down the left and sent a magnificent cross to Agada who headed the ball home. With the U19’s pressing, they would find their second of the contest when Kartzev took a marvelous through ball and beat Hemo on a one-on-one situation for a 2:0 advantage.
In the 75’ Petah Tikva striker Ofer Osher’s chance from the top of the box made its way by the Maccabi defense but missed the post by centimeters. Six minutes later, substitutes Tomer Altman and Eyal Hen played give and go, but Hemo made the stop and in the 87’ Altman’s attempt in the box was saved by the host keeper yet again as Maccabi “Shachar” took home the 2:0 win and the three points.
