Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv faced Maccabi Petah Tikva in the 4th round of State Cup play. The two sides had already met twice in league play with the first encounter ending 3:3 in Petah Tikva and the second a Yellow & Blue 3:1 win just two weeks ago.

Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glezer, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer, Mufleh Shalata, Ido Shahar, Edurado Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Rave Assayag.

First Half
Maccabi had the first chance of the match in the 7’ when Chilaka’s attempt went off of the Petah Tikva defense and the rebound chance by Cohen was caught by keeper Matan Galanti. In the 23’ Peretz made a fine save while at the other end of the pitch, a Shalata through ball to Assayag but Galanti again was up to the task.

In the 29’ Guy Kaufman’s chance from 25’ went by Peretz’s goal and a minute later Arad Bar’s header went over the bar. Guerrero gave Assayag a through ball in the 32’ but his chance was cleared off the line and just before the break Ilay Hen’s attempt was saved by Peretz as the sides went into halftime goalless.

Second Half
Guerrero sent Assayag nice ball in the 56’ but the striker’s attempt from midair just missed the goal. In the 61’ Petah Tikva took a 1:0 lead when Chilaka was issued a red card for pulling down a striker and Arad Bar converted the spot kick. But five minutes later the Yellow & Blue drew even at 1:1 when Shahar took the ball outside of the box and slammed it behind the Petah Tikva keeper.

Omri Ram who came on as a substitute almost gave Maccabi the lead in the 72’ but Galanti made the stop while 7 minutes later Liel Avda’s chance for the host’s was caught by Peretz. Eyal Hen and Nadav Nidam teamed up in the 85’ for a quality chance to take the lead but the latter’s chance went over the goal as the score after 90 minutes remained 1:1.

Overtime
Both sides looked to control the ball and in the 99’ Petah Tikva’s chance went over the goal while in the 117’ Maccabi’s opportunity was caught by the keeper as the contest headed into penalties after 120 minutes.

Hapoel Ramat Gan 0:0 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv (U19)
After defeating Maccabi Petah Tikva, the club’s Under-19 side drew 0:0 with Ramat Gan on Matchday 21 of league play. The young Yellow & Blue controlled the pace of play but couldn’t find the back of the goal as the teams split the points. The gap to the top of the table is 3 points. For the Full Match Report Click Here.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 3:1 Beitar Jerusalem (U15)
The Under-15 squad hosted Beitar Jerusalem on Matchday 20. The young Yellow & Blue were able to mount a comeback to record the win and stay atop the table. Oscar Gluch and Oral Bahia with a brace scored in the win. Head Coach Ori David summed up the victory: “This was a good team game from a quality football play point of view. We had many clear chances near the goal and the club knew how to come back from a 1:0 deficit to take the 3:1 win. The players showed terrific character.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv visited Hapoel Ramat Gan on Matchday 21 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Guy Tzarfati’s squad entered the match just one point off the top of the table while the last match between the two sides ended in a 0:0 draw.

Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glezer, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer, Mufleh Shalata, Ido Shahar, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Eyal Hen.

First Half
The match began primarily in the midfield with Maccabi controlling the pace of play. In the 11’ Hen tried his luck from long distance but the ball went over the goal and five minutes later Shalata’s tough angled shot was parried away for a corner by keeper Yuval Sade.

The Yellow & Blue continued to control the play but Ramat Gan played a very defensive style that Maccabi had a tough time breaking down. In the 41’ Hen crossed the ball into the box that was smothered by the keeper but Cohen was able to get to the rebound which he put right by the post and out.

A minute later Tamir Glezer sent a brilliant through ball to Hen but Sade was in place once again and Guerrero’s attempt right before the break was saved by the keeper as the sides went into halftime goalless.

Second Half
Shahar’s 48’ chance went over the goal and Ramat Gan’s opportunity 9 minutes later by Ben Amsalem was went into a Maccabi defender to quell the threat. In the 65’ Shalata’s long distance attempt went by the post and in the 78’ Guerrero took the ball on the right, sent it to Omri Ram but his shot went off a Ramat Gan defender.

Maccabi had a few more chances but the host’s took care of each one of them as the squad’s split the points in a goalless draw, 0:0.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv 3:1 Maccabi Petah Tikva (U19)
After the big Tel Aviv Derby win last Matchday, Maccabi recorded a 3:1 win over table leaders Petah Tikva thanks to goals by Eduardo Guerrero x2 and a single marker by Eyal Hen. The victory moves the young Yellow & Blue to within 1 point of first place. For the full Match Report Click Here.

Maccabi Petah Tikva 2:3 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv (U17)
After a dramatic win last week over Ashdod, the Under-17 squad fell to Petah Tikva on Matchday 20. Maccabi is still in first place with a 9 point lead atop the table. Afek Sapir and Shaked Navon scored for Maccabi.

Nes Ziona 0:1 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv (U15)
The Under-15 side visited Nes Ziona on Matchday 19 of league play and picked up the win to increase their lead atop the table to 3 points. Oral Bahia was the young Yellow & Blue’s goal scorer. Head Coach Ori David summed up the victory: “We knew that the pitch was not in optimal condition and we would have a tough time against a defensive side. The match was played at a slow pace and it was very easy to lose points. But we scored in the first half and were able to keep the result. I’m proud of the effort.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv hosted Maccabi Petah Tikva in a top of the table battle on Matchday 20 of the Israel Youth Premier League. The young Yellow & Blue came into the contest 4 points out of first place which was occupied by the visitor’s.

Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glezer, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer, Mufleh Shalata, Ido Shahar, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Eyal Hen.

First Half
Maccabi had their first chance of the match in the 14’ when Shtrozberg sent Shalata a nice through ball. Shalata then passed it to Cohen but his attempt towards the far corner was blocked by Dor Hevron and went out for a corner kick. Shalata’s ensuing corner was then headed by Guerrero just wide of the post and out. Three minutes later, Hen sent the ball to Guerrero but once again he missed the target while in the 25’ Shalata’s chance was caught by Hevron to keep the score as is.

However, the score wouldn’t remain goalless for much longer as two minutes later Hen crossed the ball to Guerrero who found the back of the goal for a 1:0 Maccabi lead. Petah Tikva drew even in the 35’ as Mevida Emanuel put home the ball off a free kick, 1:1. Hen’s 41’ opportunity went over the goal as the side’s went in deadlocked at the break.

Second Half
The Yellow & Blue grabbed the lead once again in the 54’ as Guerrero scored thanks to a Shalata cross for a brace and a 2:1 advantage. Guerrero almost scored again when his 64’ attempt went off the post but three minutes later he played facilitator, sending the ball to Hen who put it into the far corner of the Petah Tikva goal for a 3:1 advantage.

Maccabi continued to control the pace of play as Tzarfati’s squad closed down the visitor’s to pull within one point of the top of the table after taking the 3 points and the 3:1 win.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv will welcome Maccabi Petah Tikva on Saturday (12:00) at the Ramle Stadium on Matchday 20 of the Israel Youth Premier League. The young Yellow & Blue enter the in second place just four points off the top of the table leaders Petah Tikva. Guy Tzarfati’s squad will look to continue their fine play after winning the Derby last week.

Tzarfati, who has experienced football as a youth and senior player as well as a coach spoke about the match of the season from his point of view: “Anytime you have you have the top 2 teams playing there who always be added interest and importance placed on the game itself. For us, it’s important that we continue our positive momentum and play the football that we have over the past few weeks. The players are focused and ready for the match and they know what is expected of them.”

To date, the Under-19 squad has played 19 matches and have won 11 times, drawn in six and have lost only twice while Petah Tikva has a record of 13 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats. Eduardo Guerrero is Maccabi’s leadings scorer with 6 goals while Petah Tikva feature Liel Avda who has nine markers.

Matchday 5 saw the club’s end in a 3:3 draw. The Yellow & Blue took the lead in the 5’ thanks to a goal by Rave Assayag but Petah Tikva drew even just before the break. Bar Cohen gave Maccabi the advantage in the second half but Petah Tikva scored twice to take a 3:2 lead. But in the 82’ Gil Ben Shalosh scored the tying goal to split the points. With ten matches remaining there are 30 points left in the season.

Hapoel Tel Aviv 1:2 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv (U19)
After winning the International Winter Tournament, Maccabi “Shachar” defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv to take the Derby. Eyal Hen scored first while Eduardo Guerrero put home the winner thanks to an assist by Bar Cohen. The win leaves the U19 squad in 2nd place just 4 points off the top of the table leaders Maccabi Petah Tikva who they face next week. For the full Match Report click here.

Kiryat Shemona 0:2 Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv (U17)
The Under-17 team were back in action after the National Team Tournament and defeated Kiryat Shemona up north on Matchday 18 of league play. Maccabi is in first place with a 12 point lead thanks to goals by Or Roizman and Niv Berkovic. Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon summed up the victory, “Another win as we look towards the final goal. We were missing some players and we had some Under-16 players with us who helped us to the victory. We’re happy with the win but not the quality of play. I felt the players were tired and were a little slow. We have two matches coming up against Ashdod and Petah Tikva who are strong sides. We’ll try to take the six points.”

Hapoel Raanana 1:1 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv (U16)
After a win over Maccabi Herzliya last match, the Under-16 side visited Raanana on Matchday 19 as the squad’s split the points in a 1:1 draw. The young Yellow & Blue are in 3rd place and sit 4 points back from the top of the table as Dor David Turgeman scored for Maccabi. Head Coach Eran Sassi looked back at the match, “The first half was played at a high pace by both sides and we scored once despite a number of chances. We gave up a goal on a penalty that was questionable at best. We were the only team on the pitch in the second half and had numerous chances but we couldn’t find the back of the goal. The most important thing is to learn from the things we can do better as per the academy’s philosophy and get ready for the next match.”

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 8:2 Ironi Kiryat Gat (U15)
The Under-15 squad hosted Kiryat Gat on Matchday 18 and picked up the win to remain in first place. Ido Mizrahi x2, Oral Bahia x3, Liad Ramot, Nir Levi and Oskar Gluck all scored. Ori David looked back at the victory, “This match, like the last few we opened with a lot of intensity and we had many chances close to the goal. We scored fairly quickly which I am happy about and I’m content with the club’s attack. On the defensive side we’ve put a serious emphasis on the team play as well as the individual efforts in order to improve this aspect. In general I’m very happy and I’m looking forward to another week of training sessions as we prepare for an away match at Nes Ziona.”

The Under-19 side faced Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Derby on Matchday 19 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Guy Tzarfati’s charges began the day in 2nd place, 6 points off the top of the table leaders Maccabi Petah Tikva while the Reds were in 9th place.

Starting XI: Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glezer, Tomer Mahluf, Ido Shahar, Mufleh Shalata, Nadav Nidam, Eduardo Guerrero, Gil Ben Shalosh, Eyal Hen.

First Half
Maccabi began the match with a 2’ chance via Shalata who took the ball from the right and moved into the box, but his left footed shot was saved by the Hapoel keeper Ido Askafe. Ten minutes later Ilay Tamam’s opportunity for the Reds was parried away by Itzhak for a corner.

In the 25’ Amit Meir threatened the Maccabi goal from long distance but his attempt went over the bar, however, the next chance was for the Yellow & Blue and that one found the back of the goal. Shahar passed the ball to Nidam who sent it to Hen as he beat two defenders and the keeper to give Maccabi a 1:0 lead.

Hapoel almost found the equalizer 3 minutes later from a free kick but Itzhak reacted quickly as the ball hit the bar and Tzarfati’s squad was able to clear the danger. In the 39’ Hapoel, once again looked to draw even as Abdul Nagaev’s attempt hit the post but Davida’s 42’ opportunity knotted up the contest at 1:1 as his shot from outside the box beat Itzhak as the side’s headed into the break deadlocked.

Second Half
In the 55’ Maccabi had the first chance of the half when Hen’s attempt from the left side was saved by the Reds keeper while a minute later Cohen beat a defender but his shot was blocked by an active Askafe. Maccabi’s ensuing short corner to Mahluf was crossed into the box to Shtrozberg but Askafe again parried the ball away for a corner.

Hapoel’s 65’ free kick was cleared by Shtrozberg and Daniel Konitski’s chance was saved by Itzhak while five minutes later Cohen’s attempt towards the far corner missed the target and went by the post. Finally in the 79’ Maccabi took the lead as Shahar left the ball for Cohen who sent a gorgeous through pass to Guerrero who went one on one with the Reds keeper and beat Askafe to give the Yellow & Blue a 2:1 advantage.

In the 85’ Guerrero gave Yagudaev the ball on the left side but his attempt went out while five minutes later the Reds had a chance to draw even but came up short as Maccabi won the Derby and collected the three points.

The Under-19 side met Kiryat Shmona on Matchday 18 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Heading into the contest, Guy Tzarfati’s squad sat in 2nd place, 9 points off of the table leaders Maccabi Petah Tikva. Kiryat Shmona began the match in 3rd place as the last game between the two ended in a goalless draw.

Starting XI: Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glezer, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer, Mufleh Shalata, Ido Shahar, Eduardo Guerrero, Gil Ben Shalosh, Eyal Hen.

First Half
Maccabi controlled the pace of play from the outset and in the 18’ Tzarfati’s side almost took the lead when Tamir Glezer sent a brilliant through ball to Guerrero but Kiryat Shmona keeper Nadav Zamir made the save while a minute later at the other side of the pitch Abdallah Hilichel’s chance went over the goal.

The Yellow & Blue went ahead in the 21’ when Chilaka sent a ball from the right of the box to Guerrero who found the far corner for a 1:0 lead. Maccabi continued to maintain possession and had an opportunity to double their advantage in the 43’ but Tamir Glezer’s shot went over the bar as the half ended with Maccabi ahead 1:0.

Second Half
Gil Ben Shalosh headed the ball off a Shalata cross in the 50’ but Zamir was up to the task, however, two minutes later Maccabi beat the shot stopper when Shalata scored into the right corner of the box, 2:0 Yellow & Blue.

Tzaraft’s squad continued their goal scoring spree with their third in the 57’ as Hen put away Shalata’s pass, 3:0 Maccabi. Kiryat Shmona almost pulled a goal back in the 65’ however. Hilichel’s chance just cleared the bar, but three minutes later Hilichel scored to cut the Maccabi lead to 3:1.

Shalata’s 70’ chance from the right went over the goal and ten minutes later Kiryat Shmona had an opportunity but the ball went by the post as Maccabi “Shachar” wrapped up the victory.

The U19 International Winter Tournament that Maccabi Tel Aviv hosted at the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom was again a smashing success as Maccabi “Shachar” were the winners of the competition for the second year in a row. Club CEO Ben Mansford and Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen summed up the tournament and also spoke about the organization and support of the Academy.