Maccabi’s Academy players Yehoda Belay, Saied Abu Farchi, Ori Azo and Ido Oli played their part to help Israel U19’s qualify to the European Championship Elite round after winning Group 9 which was held in Croatia.Abu Farchi scored Israel’s winner in the 1-0 victory over Armenia, with Belay scoring in the 6-0 victory over the Faroe Islands with the final group match against the hosts Croatia ended in a 0-0 draw.Israel and Croatia both advance from the group and will be drawn into groups for the Elite round which will be played in the spring aiming to reach the final tournament in Northern Ireland (July 15th – 28th).
Category: Junior Team
Four Maccabi members in Israel’s U19’s squad
Four of Maccabi’s Youth Academy members: Ido Oli, Yehoda Belay, Ori Azo and Saied Abu Farchi were all included in Ofir Haim’s Israel U19 national squad that will begin its’ qualifying campaign.Israel will play Faroe Islands (15.11), Armenia (18.11) and hosts Croatia (21.11) in Group 9 with the top two teams advancing to the Elite Round ahead of the Under-19 Championship Finals which will be staged in Northern Ireland next year.
Under 14’s play tourney in memory of victims
The American school in Even Yehuda hosted a tournament on Saturday with Maccabi’s U14’s participating alongside seven other teams. The tournament which was organized by ‘Mondialito Israel’ honored the memory of the October 7th terror attack and voiced the cry for the return of the hostages who are held in captivity in Gaza.
A ceremony involving the families of the victims as well as family members of the hostages, took place before the tournament at Even Yehuda. Maccabi’s Under 14’s, Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Netanya, Maccabi Petah Tikva, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Beitar Jerusalem, Bnei Yehuda and the American school all had teams participating. Maccabi’s team finished second of their group and reached the Semi Final where they were knocked out by Maccabi Haifa that won the tournament.
Maccabi ‘Shachar’ held to 1-1 draw by Hadera
Michael Zandberg’s side were wishing to build on the 3-1 victory over Ramat Hasharon on the opening day of the season, hosted Hapoel Hadera at Ness Ziona. But Zandberg found his side trailing to an 11th minute Roi Peretz penalty after Michael Merenstein was judged to have fouled Almog Yamaran in the box.
Maccabi came close to go level two minutes later as a Yeuda Balay counter attack reached Agam Hanoon who couldn’t connect onto the cross. Ori Azu tried his luck with a shot from outside the area in the 21st minute as Maccabi continued to look dangerous.
Seven minutes later, Maccabi’s keeper, Barak Eltagar, was shown the red card after fouling an opponent who was clear on goal. Zandberg was forced to make changes replacing a field player with a keeper as Shalev Saadia came on for Lior Mashansky. In the 37th minute Balay crossed to Mermelstein whose shot from inside the area was caught by Hadera’s keeper Shahar Mark.
Zandberg made two more changes after the interval as Mohamad Taha and Yoav Flaishman replaced Azu and Hanoon at the restart.Saied Abu Farchi came close to level the score on 55 as he headed a Balay cross over the crossbar.
In the 90th minute however, Merenstein made amends for causing the penalty as he rose high above Hadera’s defenders to meet Balay’s corner which he headed in off the post to level the score.After returning from the international break, Maccabi’s next match will see them travel to Hapoel Ra’anana on September 19th.Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shachar’: Barak Eltagar (sent off 28), Dor Goldstein (Noam Schwartz 57), Michael Merenstein, Itay Malma, Amit Kredi, Lior Mashansky (Shalev Sea’diya 28), Yeuda Balay, Ido Oli (Sali Fahima 78), Saied Abu Farchi, Ori Azu (Mohamad Taha 46), Agam Hanoon (Yoav Flaishman 46).
U19: kickoff season with 3-1 win over Ramat Hasharon
In his first official match in charge of Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shachar’, Michael Zandberg recorded a 3-1 victory away to Hapoel Ramat Hasharon on the opening day of the U19’s league season.
Maccabi’s youngsters dominated the early stages of the game with Itay Malma heading a Yeuda Balay free kick over the crossbar in the 6th minute with Ori Azu firing a free kick wide of the post on 13.Maccabi continued to look dangerous as Balay himself couldn’t find the target in the 18th minute after heading an Amir Kredi cross from the left wide as well. Ten minutes later however, the hosts took the lead in their first chance of the game as Iyamba Ebup was sent into the Maccabi area and buried his shot past goalkeeper Barak Eltagar. Four minutes after the half hour mark Azu came close as he charged into the Ramat Hasharon area past a defender but sent his shot to the side netting.Maccabi were back on level terms in the 44th minute as Balay’s free kick eluded Ramat Hasharon’s defenders and keeper Tom Carmeli to make it 1-1.Boosted by the late equalizer and inside injury time, Maccabi took the lead as Agam Hanoon headed home Kredi’s pinpoint cross to give Maccabi the lead before the halftime whistle.
Maccabi reached plenty of chances after the break but Balay, Azu and Sayid Abu Fari were all denied by Carmeli who kept his side in the game. In the 65th minute Carmeli pulled a stunning save to keep out Azu’s powerful drive while four minutes later he fed Balay whose shot crept wide of the post.Carmeli was at it again in the 84th minute to deny Hanoon, but could do nothing to prevent the Maccabi striker from completing his brace with a backheel flick to seal the score at 3-1 in the 90th minute.Maccabi are set to host Hapoel Hadera for MD2 on September 2nd.Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shachar’: Barak Eltagar, Dor Goldstein (Adir Kordova 77), Michael Merenstein, Itay Malma, Amit Kredi (Daniel Tishler 90), Lior Mashansky, Yeuda Balay, Ido Oli, Sayid Abu Farhi (Yoav Flaishman 85), Ori Azu (Mohamad Taha 77), Aham Hanoon.
Yehoda Balai signed 3-year-deal at Maccabi
Yehoda Balai (17) the midfielder of Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Schahar’ signed a three-year-deal at the club. Balai, last season scored 9 goals in 35 appearances for Maccabi’s U17’s, helped his side win the League and Cup double. At international level, Balai made 2 appearances for Israel’s U16’s and scored a goal in 10 appearances for the U17’sMaccabi’s Academy Director, Claudio Braga, told the club’s official website: “Yehoda is a talented player who begins his fifth season in the Maccabi Academy. Following his development in recent years we believe that this season Yehuda will continue his progress at the youth team. We all believe that Yehuda has great potential to succeed and continue his progress at the club in the future.”
New Youth Academy appointments for 2023/24
Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy began preparations for the forthcoming 2023/24 season as the coaching staffs of the U15’s – U19’s were all named.Under 19’s:Maccabi’s Youth Team will be coached this season by Michael Zandberg who had a short spell at the club’s youth academy several years ago working with the elite players. Zandberg was appointed as Head coach of the U19’s and will be supported by Jeffrey Yishai who will continue another season as Assistant Coach.Shura Ubarov (Goalkeeping Coach), Tal Volik (Fitness Coach), Dor Hasid (Analyst), Arel Oli (Physiotherapist), Merav Levy (Mental Coach), Dan Sendelon (Team Manager). 
Under 17’s:Having guided the team to win the League and Cup double last season, Zion Cohen will continue taking charge of the U17’s. Cohen will be supported by Carlos Chakana who will remain in his role as Assistant coach. Shaul Hagiel (Goalkeeping Coach), Idan Bachar (Fitness Coach), Elad Tepper (Analyst), Itamar Mor (Physiotherapist), Merav Levy (Mental Coach).Under 16’s:Idan Harari will continue for another season as Maccabi’s U16’s coach after guiding his side to win the league title last season. Harari will be supported by Elad Ben Aharon who will assume the role of Assistant coach. Max Rabinovitch (Goalkeeping Coach), Ben Mor (Fitness Coach), Mor Shaked (Analyst), Sheli Atias (Physiotherapist), Gal Cherboni (Sports Psychologist).
Under 15’s:After guiding his side to the League championship and a victory in the Super Cup, the U15’s coaching staff will continue with Iliya Krostine as Head Coach and Shlomi Tubul as his Assistant.Max Rabinovitch (Goalkeeping Coach), Shaul Vazana (Fitness Coach), Yossi Mizrahi (Analyst), Or Aharon (Physiotherapist), Gal Cherboni (Sports Psychologist).
Youth Cup: U-19’s face Maccabi Haifa in Quarter Finals
Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Schahar’ have a tough Youth Cup Quarter Final Cup tie against Maccabi Haifa on Tuesday (Ketzef, 14:00).After advancing past Maccabi Neve Sha’anan and Hapoel Be’ersheva in the earlier rounds, Claudio Braga’s side who are the current Cup holders face the Haifaites that knocked out Hapoel Marmorek and Hapoel Ramat Gan.This will be the third encounter between the two sides this season as the first match which Maccabi hosted at Ness Ziona ended in a 2-2 draw. The reverse fixture at Haifa resulted with a 2-0 victory for the hosts that currently lead the table but will aim to avoid a Quarter Final exit similar to the one they suffered last season.
Weekend results in the Youth Academy
The U-19’s side Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Schahar’ enjoyed a weekend off to the activity of the Israel’s national Under 19 team. On Tuesday, the youth team which is currently coached by Claudio Braga travel to Haifa for a tough Youth Cup Quarter Final tie against Maccabi Haifa.Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Oded’ 4, Hapoel Hadera ‘Moshe’ 1. (Under 17’s)Maccabi’s U-17’s side continued their impressive good form with a convincing 4-1 victory over Hapoel Hadera on MD21. The victory took the point tally of Zion Cohen’s side to 54, three above second place Maccabi Petah Tikva. Said Abu Farhi (2), Ido Awali and Yuval Kfir scored the goals.
Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Eli Fuchs’ 0, Maccabi Netanya ‘Refaeli’ 0. (Under 16’s)Maccabi’s U-16 side were held to a 0-0 draw by fourth place Maccabi Netanya on MD20. The point gained took the tally of Ido Harari’s side to 52 and kept the gap from second place Maccabi Haifa at seven and eight from Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Sektzia Ness Ziona 0, Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Eldad’ 7. (Under 15’s)Maccabi’s U-15’s recorded their 21st victory from 22 matches with a convincing 7-0 win over Ness Ziona. Ilya Karsutin’s side remain top of the table with 63 points, eight more than second place Maccabi Petah Tikva. Ilay Ben Simon, Matan Zizov, Niv ALoni, Eran Ginat, Ido Yossef, Eden Hayat and Ido Hayut scored a goal eachOther matches:Hapoel Ra’anana 1, Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shlomo’ 3 (Under 14’s North)FC Ganei Tikva 0, Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Baruch Ezrati’ 9. (Under 14’s South)Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Leibo’ 3, Hapoel Tel Aviv ‘Yair Lerman’ 1 (Under 12’s North)Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Oz’ 2, Hapoel Haifa 0. (Under 12’s South)
The Youth department’s State Cup draw
Maccabi’s Youth Academy teams were drawn for their respective State Cup ties at the Israel Football Association Headquarters. Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shachar’ were drawn away to Maccabi Haifa in the Quarter Final of the U19’s State Cup. Dedi Ben Dayan’s side began their journey in the Cup with a 7-0 victory at Haifa over Maccabi Neve Sha’anan in the round of 32 before knocking Hapoel Be’ersheva out on penalties in the round of 16.Youth Department teams State Cup draw:Under 19’s Quarter Finals:7.2.23 Maccabi Haifa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘ShaharUnder 17’s Semi Final:4.4.23 Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Oded’ vs Hapoel Ra’ananaUnder 14’s Quarter Finals:18.2.23 Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Baruch Ezrati’ vs Maccabi Netanya18.2.23 Hapoel Jerusalem vs Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Shlomo’ Under 13’s Quarter Finals:18.2.23 Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Maccabi HaifaUnder 12’s Round of 16:Beitar Jerusalem ‘Tzav Piyus’ vs Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘Oz’
