Maccabi Tel Aviv secured victory in the six-team International U19 Winter Tournament for the third time on Saturday after a draw with Crystal Palace and victory over Excelsior Rotterdam on the third day of competition at the PenguinPickUp training centre at Kiryat Shalom.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 1, Crystal Palace 1: Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon watched as his players took the lead in the 12th minute through an Asaf Hershko goal from 20 metres out. The hosts appeared to be heading for victory before the English side equalised in injury time when striker Rob Street headed in the equaliser.
Maccabi Tel Aviv 2, Excelsior Rotterdam 1: Maccabi were dominant in Saturday’s second fixture and had control of the first half but with little to show for their efforts. The second half was more fruitful and Maccabi took the lead in the 34th minute when Tal Torgeman took advantage of a melee in the area and headed in the first goal. Maccabi made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute through an Or Roizman free kick from 18 metres out. Three minutes later, the Dutch outfit pulled a goal back when Sanches Fernandes struck a curling shot that ended up in the back of the Maccabi net.
Other results on Saturday:
Excelsior Rotterdam 1, Grasshoppers 0; Hapoel Beersheba 1, Beitar Jerusalem 0; Grasshoppers Zurich 1, Hapoel Beersheba 2, Crystal Palace 2, Beitar Jerusalem 1.
