After a 3 week break, the Club’s Under-19 team, Maccabi “Shachar” Tel Aviv were back to action against Hapoel Raanana on Matchday 4 of the Youth Premier League. Although Maccabi controlled the pace of play throughout the contest, they fell to the top of the table club via a penalty in the 40th minute.
Guy Tzarfati’s side came into the match after a win last Matchday and with a total of 4 points, while their opponent’s were a perfect 3 wins out of 3 games good for 9 points.
The contest began evenly as both sides attempted to play their style of game. After 15 minutes of action Maccabi began taking control of the ball. Eyal Hen had a terrific chance to score when he took a deep ball and tried to pass the keeper but couldn’t get a good chance off from a tough angle. In the 38’ Eylon Almog had a great chance to find the back of the goal after a taking a fine cross from Or Dasa but the keeper made the save. However, just a minute later Raanana received a penalty and Netanel Cohen slotted it home for a 1:0 lead.
Maccabi began pressuring Raanana from the get go of the second half and in the 57’ Tomer Altman’s attempt was blocked by the keeper and the rebound went to Dasa but his shot hit the outside of the goal. Almog and Fadi Najar also had opportunities but couldn’t find the back of the goal. With six minutes left in the match Najar tried to score off of a corner kick but just missed by centimeters as Raanana took the win.
Starting XI: Daniel Peretz, Alon Strosberg, Amit Gelzer, Fadi Najar, Tomer Mahlof, Eden Kartzev, Tomer Altman, Netanel Peretz, Or Dasa, Eyal Hen, Eylon Almog
