Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv began their Youth Champions League journey when they fell to Anzhi Makhachkala 3:2 in the first leg of their two legged tie.

The UEFA Champions League Domestic Champions Path is a knockout tournament. Should the young Yellow & Blue advance two stages they will appear in the Playoff Stage where the Domestic Champions Path and Group Stage Path will meet.

Maccabi “Shachar” Starting XI: Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Yoav Hofmayster, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glazer (C), Mufleh Shalata, Nadav Nidam, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Eyal Hen.

First Half
Maccabi’s first chance came in the 8’ when Shalata received the ball on the right side but his cross was cleared while 4’ minutes later Tzarfati’s squad had an attempt when Chilaka tried his luck from long distance but the ball hit Shalata and went out.

Shalata was dangerous again in the 13’ when he went by a defender on the right side but the Anzhi keeper Timur Magomedov was able to clear the threat. The Russian side had a chance in the 25’ it their cross was cleared. The next opportunity was Maccabi’s and they made sure to take full advantage of it.

In the 36’ Cohen’s right side free kick found Guerrero’s head in the box as the Panamanian sent the ball behind Magomedov for a 1:0 advantage. The final ten minutes of the half was spent primarily in the midfield as the young Yellow & Blue took the slim lead into the break.

Second Half
Anzhi was able to quickly draw even in the 49’ when Magomednabi Yagyayev found the goal after the ball deflected off of Chilaka, 1:1. But just three minutes later, the Yellow & Blue regained the lead when Chillaka passed the ball to Shalata who beat his defender as sent a perfect shot into the far corner, 2:1 Maccabi.

Anzhi almost evened up the match in the 62’ but Itzhak made the initial save off of Valentin Andyamov‘s chance while the rebound attempt was sent over the goal. Itzhak was up to the task yet again in the 66’ making the alert stop on Yagyayev. However, in the 70’ they did draw even when a corner kick made its way into the Maccabi area and Alikadi Saidov scored from in close, 2:2.

In the 74’ Gil Ben Shalosh who had come on as a substitute took a chance from long distance but Magomedov made the save but nine minutes later at the other end of the pitch Anzhi took a 3:2 advantage. Gamid Agalarov took the ball at midfield, moved up on the left side and sent a shot into the back of the goal as the Russians took the lead for the first time in the contest which they held until full time.

Maccabi “Shachar Tel Aviv, the Israel Youth Premier League Champions headed to Russia to play Anzhi Makhachkala in the Youth Champions League. Tomorrow, Wednesday, the match will begin at 17:30 Israel time will be the first leg of a two legged knockout round tie in UEFA Champions League Domestic Champions Path knockout stage action. Today the squad held their final training session ahead of the contest. Should the young Yellow & Blue advance two stages they will appear in the Playoff Stage where the Domestic Champions Path and Group Stage Path will meet.

Head Coach Guy Tzarfati spoke about the upcoming tie:
“I am very excited and proud. To be able to play in a European competition like the Champions League is an amazing accomplishment and achievement.”

Preparations for the competition:
“We prepared as we usually do ahead of this match. We look at the team that we are facing and give the players the correct tools as we do before any match.”

Expectations for the match:
“We want to go as far as possible in the competition and therefore are preparing for each match one by one just as we are doing for the contest in Russia. I’m happy that the players will have this type of experience and I hope that it will be a positive one.”

Domestic Champions path guide
This path involves the domestic youth champions of the 32 best-ranked associations in the 2017 UEFA association coefficient rankings (the same rankings used to decide access to the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League).
Vacancies in the domestic champions path (because a club is instead eligible for the UEFA Champions League path, for example Atlético and Inter) are filled by the domestic youth champion of the next best-ranked association (in the above cases, Moldova and Iceland).
Chelsea, who won this competition in 2014/15 and 2015/16 but lost last season’s final to Barcelona, enter this path.
Two-time semi-finalists Anderlecht keep up their record of entering all six editions.
Debuts: AEL Limassol, Anji, Bohemians, FC Admira, Hamilton Academical, Hertha Berlin, Illés Akadémia, Lech Poznań, KR, Montpellier, Septemvri Sofia, Signa Olomouc, Žilina.

Road to Nyon
Play-offs
In the draw on 17 December, the eight Domestic Champions path survivors will be drawn at home to the eight UEFA Champions League path runners-up in one-off ties to be played on 12/13 February to decide the eight remaining round of 16 berths. The other eight places are taken by the UEFA Champions League path group winners.
Dates
Play-off draw: 17 December
Play-offs: 19/20 February
Knockout draw (round of 16 onwards): 22 February
Round of 16: 12/13 February
Quarter-finals: 2/3 April
Semi-final: 26 April, Nyon
Final: 29 April, Nyon

Maccabi Petah Tikva 3:3 Maccabi Tel Aviv (U19)
After the dramatic Tel Aviv Derby win last week, the Yellow & Blue drew at Petah Tikva on Matchday 5 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s squad now has 3 wins and 2 draws and are in 2nd place just one point off the table leaders Hapoel Beer Sheva. Rave Assayag, Bar Cohen and Gil Ben Shalosh scored for Maccabi. For the Full Match Report Click Here.

On Wednesday the U19’s will play their first Champions League match at FC Anzhi Makhachkala in the first leg of a two legged tie to advance to the next round.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 2:0 Maccabi Petah Tikva (U17)
The Under-17 side continued their positive momentum with a win over Petah Tikva on Matchday 5. The win opened up a 3 point gap as they improved their first place standing thanks to goals by Tal Torjman and Afek Sapir. Head Coach Eliezer Ben Aharon summed up the win: “We performed well and had the right desire and determination on the pitch as we all have the same goal and that’s how I would sum up the game. One of the most exciting things as a staff is to see how the squad is focussed and determined with the desire to perform well in this specific match. We can all feel the positive results from the hard work that has been put in. We have another important match this week on Tuesday and we know what the goals and expectations are; we want to win every match at every stadium. The staff is very proud and that’s how we want to continue on Tuesday.

Beitar Jerusalem 3:2 Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv (U16)
The Under-16 team fell at Jerusalem on Matchday 5. Goals by Yinon Paz and Aviv Peles weren’t enough for the Yellow & Blue to come home with a point. Head Coach Eran Sassi spoke about the match that was: “The game began awkwardly and we gave up a goal after just one minute. We then scored a minute later but gave up another goal soon thereafter. We were the better side and that’s why we were able to tie up the contest in the second half. We had many chance but we couldn’t score and we gave up the winner in injury time off a corner kick after a comedy of errors.”

SC Ironi Ashdod 1:2 Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv (U15)
After an opening day win last week, the Under-15 side continued its fine play with an away win thanks to goals by Oral Bahia and Ilai Tomer. Head Coach Ori David summed up the victory: “This was a terrific match by the boys as we had plenty of chances near the goal thanks to the way we play football. The result is a bit misleading as it should have been a bigger win than just 2:0. I’m proud of the squad and are looking forward to our next match on Tuesday.”

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv headed to Maccabi Petah Tikva in Matchday 5 of the Israel Youth Premier League. The Yellow & Blue began the day in 1st place with 3 wins and a draw while the host’s were in 2nd place on the table.

Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI: Or Itzhak, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glazer, Tomer Machluf, Tamir Glazer, Eduardo Guerrero, Yoav Hofmayster, Rave Assayag, Omer Barami, Eyal Hen

First Half
The Yellow & Blue had their first chance of the match in the 1’ as a cross went to Guerrero but his tough angled shot was taken care of by the opposing keeper Dor Hevron, however, two minutes later they found the back of the goal to take a 1:0 lead. Chilaka received the ball on the right wing and lifted it into the box where Assayag took advantage of a poor clearance by Petah Tikva and sent the ball into the corner.

In the 11’ the host’s almost drew even when Eyali Hen took the ball in the box and was one on one with Itzhak who replaced an injured Daniel Peretz, but his attempt hit the post while he sent the rebound into a Maccabi defender that went out for a corner. Five minutes later a nice give and go between Barami and Hen left the former with a chance from 20 meters out but Hevron made the save.

Each side traded chances over the next quarter hour as Maccabi almost doubled their advantage in the 38’ when a through ball from Tamir Glazer went to Hen who sent it to Assayag, but his shot towards the corner just missed the post and went out. However, two minutes later, the host’s drew even at 1:1 when Tal Danon sent a through ball to Arad Bar who found the back of the goal as the sides headed into the half deadlocked.

Second Half
Bar Cohen came in as a substitute and had a chance in the box but the Petah Tikva keeper made the stop. In the 56’ the Yellow & Blue took the lead when Hofmayster passed the ball to Cohen who moved up 20 meters and sent a terrific shot with his left foot that beat Hevron for a 2:1 advantage.

In the 64’ Itzhak made a timely save with his fingertips but three minutes later, the host’s drew even once again as Liel Abada found the corner of the Maccabi goal, 2:2. Then Petah Tikva almost took the lead when Abada’s chance in the box went screaming towards Itzhak but the Maccabi shot stopper was able to use his quick reflexes to send the ball off the bar.

However, the host’s took the lead in the 76’ when the referee pointed to the spot after a player was pulled down in the box, good for a penalty which Ori Artzi converted for a 3:2 advantage to Petah Tikva. But 4 minutes later the Yellow & Blue tied up the contest when Cohen’s corner went into the area and was headed by a Maccabi player off of the post, however, Gil Ben Shalosh pounced on the rebound and scored to draw even at 3:3.

Guy Tzarfati’s squad would have a pair of chances to win the match as Guerrero and Tal Yagudayev each had opportunities but Hevron made a couple of saves to keep the score as is as the team’s split the points.

Maccabi Petah Tikva – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 12:00 Petah Tikva Synthetic (U19)
After last week’s dramatic Derby victory, the Under-19 squad heads to Petah Tikva for a top of the table clash on Matchday 5 of the Israel Premier League. Guy Tzarfati’s side is in 1st place while the host’s sit in 2nd.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv – Maccabi Petah Tikva, 9:30 PenguinPickUp Training Ground Kiryat Shalom 1 (U17)
Following the win at Ashdod last Matchday, the young Yellow & Blue will host Petah Tikva in Israel Premier League action. Eliezer Ben Aharon’s side are in 1st place while the visitor’s are in 7th but the gap between the two stands at only 3 points.

Beitar Jerusalem – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 8:45 Jerusalem Bayit Vegan Upper 2 Synthetic (U16)
The Under-16 team visits the capital city where they will meet Beitar on Matchday 5. The Yellow & Blue are in 6th place after winning 2 and losing once while the host’s are in 12th place with one win.

SC Ashdod – Maccabi “Eldad”, 11:15 Ashdod (U15)
After a win last week, the Under-15 squad will head to Ashdod on their second Matchday of the season. The host’s fell to Maccabi Petah Tikva 6:1 last week in league play.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv hosted the first Derby of the season against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Matchday 4 of the Israel Youth Premier League. The Yellow & Blue came into the contest after a goalless draw at Kiryat Shemona last week along with two wins and in 2nd place while the Reds had only picked up 1 point in 3 matches so far this campaign.

Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Michael Chilaka, Alon Shtrozberg, Amit Glazer, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glazer, Mufleh Shalata, Yoav Hofmayster, Eduardo Guerrero, Omer Barami, Eyal Hen.

First Half
The match opened up well for Maccabi as they had a 2’ chance when Hofmayster made it by two Hapoel players in the midfield and sent the ball to Guerrero but his shot went by the post. Six minutes later the Reds threatened but Ofek Ovadia’s opportunity went out.

In the 18’ Barami’s attempt just outside of the box went off a Hapoel player and two minutes later the Yellow & Blue almost took the lead when Hen took the ball on the right wing but his tough shot went off the defense and Hofmayster’s rebound attempt on target went out for a corner. Tamir Glazer’s 24’ long distance chance was stopped by Reds keeper Omer Barness as he parried the ball away for another corner and one minute later Barami’s attempt just missed the goal by centimeters.

Hapoel had a pair of opportunities in the 32’ both by Daniel Konitzky but his header went over the bar and his dangerous shot was taken care of by Peretz as the half ended goalless.

Second Half
Guerrero had the first good chance of the half from left of the box but his attempt was saved by Barness while a minute later Barami’s shot was also stopped by the Reds keeper. In the 51’ the visitor’s almost took the lead as Davida took the ball from the right side and raced through the middle of the pitch, but his chance just went over the goal as the score stayed as is.

In the 65’ Shalata’s chance cleared the bar and 4 minutes later the Reds almost found the back of the goal on a dangerous corner, but the ball was cleared to safety. Shalata again found himself with an opportunity to score in the 74’ but his shot went over the goal. Tal Yagudaev who had come on as a substitute received the ball on the right side in the 80’ and sent it to Guerrero who had a fantastic chance in front of the goal but the ball escaped his clutches at the last second.

Ofek Ovadia had another chance to give the Reds the lead in the 85’ but his attempt missed the target, while 5 minutes later Yagudaev had a brilliant chance one on one with the keeper but Barness made an unbelievable foot save as time began to wind down with the match still deadlocked at 0:0.

However, deep into injury time Shalata’s fabulous shot beat the Reds keeper to give the Derby to Maccabi and paint Tel Aviv Yellow & Blue! Shalata took off his shirt and was handed a second yellow card as the fans celebrated the win.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv and Hapoel “Nisanov” Tel Aviv will meet in the first Israel Youth League Derby of the season as the Yellow & Blue host’s the Reds at the Ramle Stadium at 12:40 on Matchday 4. Just ahead of the big contest, Head Coach Guy Tzarfati spoke about the match while we’ve also looked back at some of the Under-19 Derbies of the past.

Tzarfati has been a part of plenty of Derbies whether it’s been as a player in both the Youth Department and with the first team along with manning the sidelines as he did last campaign: “There’s always a great atmosphere and a lot of feelings surrounding the Derby and only those who have experienced it can understand. Derby matches are always interesting and there is always a desire to succeed which makes all of us even more focused on the task at hand. The player’s preparations have to be implemented during the actual match itself and I hope and believe that my squad will have a successful Derby and one that will be a wonderful experience.”

Under-19 Derbies of the past
Over the past ten years there have been 20 League Derbies. The record: 10 Maccabi wins, 4 draws, 6 losses. The Yellow & Blue have actually collected more points at away Derbies (18) than at home (16).

The biggest win belongs to Maccabi and occurred in the 2014/15 season when the Reds hosted the Derby at Bloomfield Stadium. Ziv Arie was the Head Coach and took the side to the championship. The final score was 4:0 in favor of the Yellow & Blue as Yonatan Cohen (x2), Stav Ben Aharon and Sohil Armeli scored.

Some of the top Derby goal scorers include:
Eylon Almog – The striker who now plays for Beitar Tel Aviv Ramle featured for the Under-19 squad between 2015-2018 and played in 6 Derbies while scoring 5 goals.

Yonatan Cohen – The striker played with the U19 side between 2013-2915 and scored 5 goals in 4 Derbies,

Gael Margulies – Was with Maccabi “Shachar” between 2011-2013 and scored 3 goals in 5 matches.

The most goals scored by a player in a single Derby is 2 and has been done by Yonatan Cohen (14/15), Dor Jan (13/14), Matan Hozez (13/14), Eliel Peretz (13/14).

The longest undefeated streak stands at 7 matches from 2009/10-2011/12. In 2010/11 the squad won the Double and beat their Tel Aviv rivals in the State Cup Round of 16. 2011/12 was also a successful campaign as the Yellow & Blue took home the league title.

Under current Head Coach Guy Tzarfati, the Under-19 side has a Derby record of 3 wins and a draw. Last season, the Yellow & Blue won 3:1 at home while the return leg was a 2:2 draw. Tomorrow, Maccabi “Shachar” will look to continue their positive momentum so far this season and write a new chapter in the history of the Tel Aviv Derby.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv – Hapoel “Nisanov” Tel Aviv, 12:40 Ramle (U19)
The Tel Aviv Derby is back as the Yellow & Blue Under-19 side host’s Hapoel on Matchday 4 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Last week, Maccabi was held to a goalless draw at Kiryat Shemona after winning their first two matches while the Reds picked up their first victory after a pair of losses.

* Tickets are limited for the Under-19 Derby on September 22 at the Ramle Stadium. Tickets will not be distributed on Matchday and fans without tickets will be turned away from the stadium.

SC Ashdod – Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv, 9:00 Ashdod 1 (U17)
First place Maccabi “Oded” heads to Ashdod for a top of the table contest on Matchday 4 and has a record of two wins and a draw. The host’s have the identical record and are in 3rd place.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv – Hapoel Raanana, 10:00 PenguinPickUp Training Ground Kiryat Shalom 1 (U16)
After an away win last week at Maccabi Herzliya, the Under-16 squad will host Hapoel Raanana on Matchday 4. The young Yellow & Blue come into the contest with two straight wins (3rd place) while Raanan is in 2nd with two wins and a draw.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Bnei Yehuda, 8:30 PenguinPickUp Training Ground Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15)
Following last week’s 13:0 win last week over Beitar Tel Aviv Ramle in State Cup action, the Under-15 team welcome Bnei Yehuda for the “Little Derby” on the first Matchday of the season. Head Coach Ori David will look to march towards the championship just as he did last campaign.