Category: Youth Teams

Youth Academy Women’s players to accompany Maccabi onto the pitch

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In honor of International Women’s Day that took place this past Friday, the female players of the Youth Academy will accompany the players onto the pitch ahead of their contest against Bnei Yehuda.

This past year saw the Women’s Project at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy take place after the success of the Girls Team and the continued development of women’s football throughout the world.

The Club sees the development of women’s football of the utmost importance and over the next few months coaches will be looking to recruit girls aged 5-15 with the goal of creating teams at all age levels. The teams will be managed via the club’s football philosophy.

This Friday, March 15th an Open Day will take place at the PenguinPickUp Training Ground at Kiryat Shalom at 15:00. Those players who impress the professional staff will have the opportunity to join the Maccabi Tel Aviv Women’s Youth Academy.

Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv and Hapoel Raanana draw 2:2

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The Under-19 side visited Raanana on Matchday 23 and sat in 2nd place just two points off the table leaders Maccabi Petah Tikva while the host’s began the day in the 4th place with two wins in their last six matches.

Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Ido Shahar, Amit Glezer, Alon Shtrozberg, Yoav Hofmayster, Tomer Mahluf, Tamir Glezer, Omri Ram, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Eyal Hen.

First Half
The Yellow & Blue controlled the pace of play and in the 12’ had their first opportunity when Guerrero and Ram teamed up for a pair of chances but missed the intended target. But Maccabi broke through in the 16’ when Cohen unleashed a shot that beat the Raanana keeper for a 1:0 lead.

Hen almost doubled the advantage a minute later but his shot went by the post, however, in the 30’ they would score their second of the contest from the penalty spot via Guerrero after a hand ball in the box, 2:0 Maccabi.

Raanana had their first opportunity in the 43’ but Asaf Hershko’s header went over the bar as Guy Tzarfati’s squad went into the break with a two goal lead.

Second Half
In the 50’ the host’s almost pulled a goal back but Asi Sela’s scorcher went over the bar and three minutes later Golan Beni came close as well but his attempt went by the post. Hen’s 60’ chance thanks to a Cohen through ball went over the goal and 11 minutes later Hershko’s opportunity for Raanana whizzed by the post.

But the host’s pulled a goal back in the 76’ when Roie Levi scored from inside the box, 2:1 in favor of Maccabi. However, Tamir Glezer was handed his second yellow card a minute later for a reckless tackle in the middle of the pitch leaving Tzarfati’s side with ten men.

Raanana drew even at 2:2 in the 78’ as Omer Mizrahi scored from inside the area. Maccabi had a chance to go ahead in the 90’ but Gil Ben Shalosh’s attempt was saved by the Raanana keeper as the sides split the points.

“We want to increase the professionalism of women’s football in Israel”

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International Women’s Day is being marked around the world this week and is being recognized across the globe. It’s also the perfect day to take a look at how Maccabi Tel Aviv has joined some of the greatest clubs in the world in the development of women’s football and its importance.

This past year the Maccabi Tel Aviv Youth Academy also opened a women’s division. The decision to do so was the result of the development of women’s football throughout the world over the past few years and the desire to lead the way in this area as well.

The development of women’s football in Israel is of the utmost importance to the club. Over the next few months coaches will be recruiting players between the ages of 5-15 with the goal of having various teams at different age levels. The teams will operate under the club’s football philosophy.

On Friday March 15th there will be an Open Tryout Day at the PenguinPickup Training Facility at Kiryat Shalom beginning at 15:00. Players who impress the professional staff will be invited to join the Women’s Academy at Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Heading the project is Performance Director Patrick van Leeuwen who understands the importance and “wants to be able to offer girls the opportunity to be a part of the club. That they will be able to have the same conditions as the boys at the youth academy in all parameters.”

Youth Academy Director Guy Zukerman spoke about the desire to join the biggest clubs in the world: “Women’s football is being developed at all of the biggest academies. The decision to begin this project at Maccabi was due to the fact that we wanted to add yet another element to the club and the Youth Academy as we are always looking for ways to expand and extend our projects and programs.”

The advancement across the ocean and the desire to be a part of the action
Women’s football is the most popular team sport for women around the world and it’s one of the few disciplines that have professional leagues. There are 177 countries that participate and are part of the international community.

In Israel, the sport is still behind but has been developing nicely explained Dana Nissenboim the women’s coach at Hadar Yosef: “In Israel women’s football is considered as an amateur sport and it’s not professional enough. There has been an awakening in this area and there are more teams, but it’s so far away from the potential that can be reached.”

Mor Shaked the women’s coach at Kiryat Shalom can feel the changes happening throughout the country: “There has been a positive increase in the amount of players signing up to play on football teams which has allowed girls from across the country the ability to play for a team at their age level.”

The vision: A strong women’s team for Maccabi and the Israel National Team
The club’s goal for the project is to build a foundation that will allow for the girls to train with other girls of the same age with the best possible conditions, just like those of the boys Academy.

Van Leeuwen concurred: “The goal of the project is to create proper teams for girls ages 8-15 with 12-14 players who can train and play together. The long term goal is to be able to play friendlies with other girls teams of the same age in order for them to improve both at Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Israel National Team.”

The Youth Academy will provide the best conditions for the girls teams explained Zukerman: “The goal is for the girls to train with the same standards that the Youth Academy provides. Coaches, analysts, fitness coaches and goalkeeper coaches. We want to create a very professional environment for women’s football in the country and hopefully other clubs will follow in our path.” 

“The founding of a girls team is the realization of a dream for me”
The youth academy will be very active during the month of March with the goal of recruiting girls for various teams. Mor Shaked and Dana Nissenboim, the coaches of the girls teams spoke about their feelings of being involved in the project: “The founding of a girls team is the realization of a dream for me,” explained Shaked. “As a girl, football was my whole life but there wasn’t a team for me to play at as a youngster. Thankfully today that isn’t the case and young players can receive the best professional tools and advice at the highest level. There’s no question that over the next few years the level of professionalism in the country will continue to increase in the world of women’s football.”

Nissenboim also spoke about her feelings on the matter, “It’s a great feeling to be able to take part in this project as it was just a dream when I was a little girl. Today I help other girls in order for them to reach their dreams and the satisfaction is just amazing.”

Youth Academy ID Card: Eliezer Ben Aharon

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One of the goals of the Maccabi Tel Aviv Avi Cohen Youth Academy is to help the young players improve and advance to the first team. Behind the scenes are many coaches, assistants and staff that are there to provide the next education along the way. One of those people is Eliezer Ben Aharon, the Under-17 Head Coach who tells us about his time to date in the world of football and the work he does at the Youth Academy.

Eliezer Ben Aharon, the Under-17 Head Coach
Ben Aharon has served as a football coach for 13 years, 8 at Maccabi Tel Aviv and today he serves as the Head Coach of the Under-17 team.

Born to Coach
“When my smallest child began playing football I was very interested in the development of young players which led me to take a coaching course. When I went to see my son train some people asks me advice since I was a former player. After I offered my thoughts or following a discussion many times they would say that I should coach and that I would be a natural.”

Working under a certain philosophy
“I believe that with this style and philosophy we are approaching the highest level of coaching and developing players that hasn’t been seen in the country in the past. Personally I believe that I am a better coach than I was previously.”

Developing younger player
“The most important elements in developing footballers is hard work and patience. ‘Hard work will defeat the talent of the talent doesn’t work hard.’ I have seen many talented players who didn’t work hard and at the end of the day they didn’t succeed but on the flip side I was able to work with players who were less talented but worked hard whhhd paid off in the end.”

Players he’s trained
“There are a number of players that I worked with who are now in the Premier League including Or Dasa, Yakov Brihen, Gaby Kanichowsky, Haviv Ohayon and others.”

Role Model
“There isn’t anyone specific but I like to take things from others that fit my personality both from coaches and other individuals. I try to be original as much as possible.”

Something from outside of the football world
“When I was young I used to go surfing and live the life around the sea. I’ll get back to that,I promised myself.”

The future
“At present I have no interest in being the head coach of a senior team. I try to be the best coach that I can be in the country at the youth level. I believe that satisfaction comes from the development of seeing players who have succeeded in advancing to the top league. To know that there is a player that you helped mold that gets to the top division – gives one a huge amount of pride. I believe that I have the ability, desire and the passion to reach this goal.”

Maccabi “Shachar” and Beitar Tubruk draw 2:2

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The Under-19 side faced Beitar Tubruk on Matchday 22 of the Israel Youth Premier League. Last time the squad’s met, the Yellow & Blue recorded a 2:0 away win thanks to goals by Rave Assayag and Tal Yagudaev. Maccabi is currently in 2nd place, 3 points off the top of the table leaders Maccabi Petah Tikva.

Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Omer Itzhaki, Amit Glezer, Dan Lugassi, Yoav Hofmayster, Ido Shahar, Mufleh Shalata, Nadav Nidam, Eduardo Guerrero, Bar Cohen, Eyal Hen.

First Half
Tubruk had the first chance of the contest in the 3’ when Torai Siahu crossed the ball from the left to Ari Itzhak but his header went out while two minutes later Hen almost gave Maccabi the lead when he found Cohen in the middle of the box but his shot just skipped by the post.

In the 13’ Shalata tried his luck from outside of the area but his chance went off the Tubruk defense, however, 9 minutes later the visitor’s took a 1:0 lead when Anz Kizailiku scored from close in. The Yellow & Blue took control of the match but couldn’t find the equalizer as the half ended with Maccabi down by a goal.

Second Half
In the 49’ Guerrero received the ball to the left of the box, moved to a more central position and took a shot but the Tubruk keeper was up to the task. Shahar’s 51’ opportunity via a free kick hit the outside netting but 2 minutes later the Yellow & Blue evened up the contest. Itzhak began the play on the left side and crossed a beauty of a ball to Hen who slammed it home, 1:1.

Maccabi continued to control the pace of play over the next quarter hour but couldn’t produce any scoring opportunities. In the 83’ Guerrero sent a through ball to Assayag and tried to hit the far corner of the goal but just missed by inches. The Yellow & Blue took the lead in the 85’ when Dan Lugassi sent a cross from the left to Gil Beh Shalosh who headed it behind the Tubruk keeper for a 2:1 advantage.

However, the visitor’s drew even just two minutes off a header as the match came to an end at 2:2 with each side taking a point.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is looking for the next Girl’s Star

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Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Girls Team is searching for the next star and this is your chance to join the Yellow & Blue family.

On Friday March 15th an Open Day will be held beginning at 15:00. All you have to do is come by and score your place on the Girls Team.

This special day is for girls aged 5-15 and for regular players and keepers.

In the meantime, check out the Maccabi Tel Aviv Girls Team by clicking here.

For more information and to register please call 03-680-6163 or email: lbenaharon@mtafc.com.

Yellow & Blue Youth Academy State Cup action – Saturday February 23, 2019

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תקציר הניצחון של הנוער על מכבי פ״ת בגביע 23.02.19


Maccabi Petah Tikva 1:1 Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv (1:4 on penalties) (U19)
The Under-19 side advanced to the 4th round of State Cup action with a victory over Maccabi Petah Tikva. Despite playing with only ten men for a good portion of the match, the young Yellow & Blue were able to end 120 minutes of football knotted up at 1:1 thanks to a tying goal by Ido Shahar. Maccabi then went on to win via a penalty shootout. For the full Match Report Click Here.

Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 4:3 Ashdod (U16)
After a win over Beitar Jerusalem last Matchday, the Under-16 squad fell behind Ashdod 2:0 by the 6’. However, Eran Sassi’s team scored 4 unanswered goals by the 58’ thanks to a Aviv Peles hat-trick and a lone strike by Dor Turgeman. In the 68’ Maccabi were reduced to ten men but Ashdod was only able to pull one goal back as the Yellow & Blue advanced to the next stage of the tournament.

Maccabi “Shachar” advances in Cup action; defeats Petah Tikva 5:2 on penalties

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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.

Maccabi “Oded” U17 defeats Beitar Jerusalem 4:3

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Maccabi “Oded” Tel Aviv 4:3 Beitar Jerusalem (U17)
The Under-17 team hosted Beitar Jerusalem as Eliezer Ben Aharon’s squad recorded the win. Goals by Or Roizman x2, Yali Lazar and Tal Torgman helped the Yellow & Blue to the victory as the side remain at the top of the table with a 9-point lead.

נערים א׳ בניצחון 3:4 על בית״ר ירושלים (מחזור 21)


Head Coach Ben Aharon summed up the win: “Only in football can a game turn 180 degrees from the first 60 minutes to the last 30. We controlled the pace of play over the first 60 with good football plays as we created numerous chances. The last 30 were a totally different story as Beitar came back into the game and swung the momentum in their favor and almost drew even. This has happened a number of times recently which means we have to think about what we are doing and make improvements. Next week we play in Sakhnin who are a tough club and we will do our utmost to come back with the win and improve our late match minutes.”

The Under-15 team defeats Beitar Jerusalem 3:0

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ניצחון של נערים ב׳ 0:3 על בית״ר ירושלים (מחזור 20)


Maccabi “Eli Fuchs” Tel Aviv 3:0 Beitar Jerusalem (U16)
The Under-16 team hosted Beitar Jerusalem on Matchday 20 of league play and recorded the victory as Aviv Pelles, Elad Kaplan and Rom Gross all scores to moved into 2nd place, just 2 points off of the table.

Head Coach Eran Sassi summed up the win: “We began the match well with a quick goal in the first minute. We continued to control the match and were able to create more chances but couldn’t find the back of the goal. We started the second half by pressing te opponent and wanted to score another quick goal but we weren’t able to. However, we continued to have many good chances but we also ave to correct some of our defensive issues. We allowed Beitar a number of good chances and could have paid a high price for that. Finally, we were able to score a couple of goals near the end of the match.”