Due to the inclement weather over the weekend, most of the Youth Department State Cup Matches were postponed. However, both Under-15 clubs were in action.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv 7:0 Ironi Kiryat Gat (U15 South)
The Under-15 South side hosted Kiryat Gat in the State Cup Round of 16 and won 7:0 thanks to goals by Ohad Mizrahi x2, Elad Kaplan, Rotem Germa, Bar Lin, Itay Ben Kimon and Aner Ashmendi. Head Coach Ori David summed up the victory: “This wasn’t a great game on our part and I’ll be happy to fix a number of things up along the way. We advanced to the next stage and now we’ll get ready for our league match against Gadna.”

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv 2:1 Maccabi Petah Tikva Partush (U15 North)
The young Yellow & Blue were able to come back from a 1:0 deficit to defeat the Sharon District league leaders just before the end of the extra time period. The victory moves Maccabi “Ilan” into the State Cup Quarterfinals. Goal scorers: Ben Lineker, Kamil Jabara. Head Coach Asaf Heber spoke about the win: “We received a tough draw in Petah Tikva in the Round of 16. We began the match a bit shell shocked after giving up an early goal due to a counterattack. Despite the deficit we were able to come back as the team pushed forward, controlled the ball and pressed the opponent. We were able to draw even in the 47’ and ended up winning the match in extra time. I’m proud of the guys as to how they reacted and fought hard. You could see how we played and how we followed the methodology of the club. I’m very happy for my players and it was very important for them to win the match.”

Just like the best players in the world: The Brand New Youth Department Project

Maccabi Tzur Shalom – Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv, 12:00 Tzur Shalom (U19)
After winning the MTA International Youth Tournament, the young Yellow & Blue will get back to domestic play in State Cup action. Guy Tzarfati’s side will travel to Tzur Shalom and will look to continue their positive momentum.

Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv (U17)
The Under-17 squad is off for a couple of weeks due to the National Team break as they find themselves in 1st place by 9 points over the second place side.

SC Pardes Chana “Tzav Pius” – Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv, 19:00 Prdes Chana Training field (U16)
The Under-16 side will play in the Israel State Cup as they travel to Pardes Chana as they will look to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Maccabi “Eldad” Tel Aviv – Ironi Kiryat Gat, 08:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15 South)
Kiryat Gat will visit Kiryat Shalom for a date with Maccabi’s Under-15 South team in the Israel State Cup Round of 16. Ori David’s squad is in first place in league play while their opponent currently sits in 11th place on the table.

Maccabi “Ilan” Tel Aviv – Maccabi Petah Tikva “Partush”, 08:30 Kiryat Shalom Synthetic (U15 North)
The Under-15 North club will host a State Cup Round of 16 clash against Maccabi Petah Tikva, Both sides are at the top of the table as the young Yellow & Blue come into the contest looking to move on to the next stage.

The Club’s Under-19 team hosted an International Youth Tournament at Kiryat Shalom that included Bayer Leverkusen, Red Star Paris, Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion. Guy Tzarfati’s side was in first place at the end of the competition and were awarded the Championship Trophy. We’ve put together some of the young Yellow & Blue’s best goals over the course of the tournament.

The Camera’s Lens Day 3

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Performance Director, Patrick van Leeuwen looked back at the Academy’s First International Youth Tournament and summed up its success:

“Good organization is only half of the job and that is what we, the MTA Academy have done leaving us all with a very good feeling after three days of tournament football!”

Tournament winners:
“To the above we have to acknowledge the achievement of our U19 team who were the winners of our first International Youth Tournament.”

More about the young Yellow & Blue:
“The Maccabi “Shachar” Under-19 side grew match by match and delivered a stable performance. When you perform well as a team, then success will come your way.”

Performance on and off of the field of play:
“Personally, I enjoyed the performance of all of the teams and everybody showed their qualities during the tournament both on and off the field.”

A big thank you:
“Thank you all, from the employees of the Academy that organized the tournament to the teams and coaching staffs that came and believed in our organization.”

Final wishes:
“Good luck and enjoy the start or continuation of your league!”

Until next time…

The Camera’s Lens Day 2

Patrick van Leeuwen looked back at day 2 of the MTA Youth Tournament at Kiryat Shalom:

“It was a great and beautiful day for the tournament as the weather and field conditions were perfect for all of the teams.”

Fans in Israel and abroad:
“The spectators that attended the Tournament enjoyed good performances by the teams. The matches were also broadcasted through via the club’s YouTube channel which is a great service for fans from other cities and for the followers of Bayer Leverkusen and Red Star Paris in Germany and France respectively.”

Professionalism of the sides”
“The professionalism of all the teams was visible on and off the field which resulted in a great second day of the tournament.”

Final thoughts:
“Tomorrow, all of the teams will play another two matches, which will bring the total to 5 matches for each team in three days. I would like to wish everyone a successful third and final day of the tournament.

Following Friday’s matches, Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen spoke about the first day of the Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Under-19 International Tournament:

“The first day of our International U19 tournament has come to an end and we have seen some good matches from the participating teams although the weather gave us some problems and we had to make some changes in the program”

The camera’s lens: Day 1 of the International U-19 Tournament

Good atmosphere:
“All in all everything worked out well and our Academy employees created a good atmosphere for youth football development.”

Plenty of football to come:
“Over the next couple of days, we will be able to see more matches being played by all of the teams. The matches will give everyone plenty of football to talk about from the coaches and players to our spectators as well.

About the upcoming matches:
Tomorrow, Saturday, the matches begin at 11:00 and we hope to see you at our training ground Kiryat Shalom to enjoy youth football.”

Closing Ceremony & Celebrations

Maccabi Tel Aviv Matches

Day 3 Match Photos

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

Opening Ceremony

Maccabi Tel Aviv matches

The rest of the matches from Day 2

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv scored a pair of victories on the second day of the Club’s Under-19 International Tournament. The day began with a 6:0 win over Red Star Paris while Guy Tzarfati’s squad also defeated Beitar Jerusalem 5:0 in their second match.

Tournament Table following Day 2
Maccabi Tel Aviv – 7 points
Bayer Leverkusen- 5 points
Maccabi Haifa – 3 points
Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion – 3 points
Beitar Jerusalem – 3 points
Red Star Paris – 1 point

In Maccabi Tel Aviv’s first match, Head Coach Guy Tzarfati chose the following Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Tomer Machluf, Alon Shtrozberg, Yoav Hofmayster, Noam Cohen, Tamir Glazer, Prince Thomas, Mufleh Shalata, Eyal Hen, Eylon Almog, William Agada.

The young Yellow & Blue controlled the pace of play over the first half and took a 4:0 lead into the break thanks to goals by Eyal Hen x2, Mufleh Shalata and William Agada. Maccabi added to their lead in the second half with goals by Netanel Peretz and Eylon Almog to wrap up a 6:0 win.

The second match featured the same starting lineup and the result was almost identical as well. Maccabi played quality football and took advantage of their free kicks and pace of play which resulted in goals by William Agada and Eyal Hen. The Yellow & Blue found the back of the goal there more times in the second half as Netanel Peretz x2 and Yunes Jabarin scored to complete a 5:0 victory and a perfect day.

Day Two Results and goal scorers:
Bayer Leverkusen 3:1 Beitar Jerusalem
Leverkusen: Atakan Akenek, Klaus Song
Jerusalem: Uriel Predo

Maccabi Haifa 2:2 Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion
Haifa: Dolev Bore, OG
Rishon: Ron Ben Basat, Dolev Belulu

Red Star Paris 1:1 Maccabi Haifa
Paris: Fadi Amaroc
Haifa: Gil Hadad

Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion 1:1 Bayer Leverkusen
Rishon: Yaniv Bazini
Leverkusen: Govan Yelsin

The Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club officially opened the International Youth Tournament with a ceremony held on Saturday at the Kiryat Shalom training facility. The Youth Department Manager, Guy Zuckerman welcomed all of the participating clubs.

The teams participating in the tournament are Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bayer Leverkusen, Red Star Paris, Maccabi Haifa, Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Rishon Le’Zion.

Tournament Schedule: