The club’s Under-19 side began the final day of the MTA International Youth Tournament with a 1:1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen and followed that up with a 3:1 victory over Maccabi Haifa to take home 1st place.
Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI included Daniel Peretz, Tomer Machluf, Alon Shtrozberg, Yoav Hofmayster, Noam Cohen, Tamir Glazer, Prince Thomas, Mufleh Shalata, Eyal Hen, Eylon Almog, William Agada.
The first half began perfectly for Maccabi as striker Eylon Almog found the back of the goal for a 1:0 lead in the early minutes of the contest. The majority of the half was played aggressively in the midfield as both side’s looked for quality chances. However, it would be Leverkusen who would score via penalty to even up the score at 1:1 just before the break. The young Yellow & Blue continued to press for a go ahead goal in the second half and had a number of wonderful opportunities thanks to Almog and Shalata but the Leverkusen keeper was up to the task. Prince Thomas was issued a second yellow card that left Maccabi with 10-men as the contest ended deadlocked 1:1.
Later on in the day, Tzarfati’s side faced Maccabi Haifa with the following Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Tomer Machluf, Alon Shtrozberg, Yoav Hofmayster, Noam Cohen, Tamir Glazer, Yoav Hofmayster, Mufleh Shalata, Eyal Hen, Eylon Almog, William Agada.
The match started well for the young Yellow & Blue as Almog and Hen scored in the first half to give Maccabi a 2:0 lead at the break. Agada found the back of the goal in the second half good for a 3:0 lead as the Greens pulled a goal back before the final whistle as Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Haifa 3:1 and were crowned Champions of the tournament.
Day 3 Results
Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 1:0 Red Star Paris
Rishon: Amit Mor
Maccabi Haifa 1:1 Beitar Jerusalem
Haifa: Maor Levy
Jerusalem: Roie Padida
Bayer Leverkusen 4:0 Red Star Paris
Leverkusen: Govan Yetzlin x2, Klaus Song, Sam Sherak
Rishon Le’Zion 2:1 Beitar Jerusalem
