Matchday 21 of the Israel Youth Premier League Ligat Ha’Al featured a Tel Aviv Derby between Maccabi and Hapoel as the young Yellow & Blue began the day in 1st place with 10 wins in 12 of their last matches while the Reds came into the contest in 10th place.
Head Coach Guy Tzarfati’s Starting XI included keeper Daniel Peretz, Amit Glazer, Alon Shtrozberg, Fadi Najar, Yoav Hofmayster, Tamir Glazer, Tomer Altman, Eylon Almog, Mufleh Shalata, Eyal Hen and William Agada.
First Half
In the 3’ the Reds had the first opportunity of the contest when a cross came in from the right to Osher Davida, but Peretz made the save. Four minutes later, it was Maccabi’s turn to threaten when Amit Glazer sent a through ball to Shalata but his chance was saved by the Hapoel keeper.
In the 9’ Maccabi again looked to take the lead when Shalata crossed the ball to Almog but his header met the outside netting of the goal, while Shalata again sent a pass to Agada but his header went by the post and out. Almog’s attempt then went by the post as the Yellow & Blue put all kinds of pressure on the Reds early on.
As the match hit the 35’ Agada took a cross in the box but his shot was saved by the Reds keeper Omer Tal. Finally in the 42’ Maccabi found the back of the goal as Najar began the play, passed the ball to Almog who sent it to Altman as the captain used his right foot to slam it home for a 1:0 lead. Two minutes later Hapoel drew even as a cross from the left found Davida and he headed it behind Peretz as the half ended all knotted up at 1:1.
Second Half
Hapoel came out looking to take the lead early on in the second half as Benny Terdovsky’s 47’ chance hit the post, but 6 minutes later the Reds found the back of the goal as Ali Alavra sent a cross into the box that Adji Heford headed in for the one goal advantage. In the 55’ Altman’s free kick created confusion in the box but the Hapoel defense cleared the ball to safety.
Maccabi found the equalizer in the 64’ on a gorgeous set play as Almog curled the ball into the far corner and into the goal. The Yellow & Blue pressed for a go ahead marker and four minutes later they almost found it via Tamir Glazer as the midfielder hit the bar. In the 70’ Prince Thomas who had come on as a substitute sent the ball towards from the box, but the keeper made the save.
Seven minutes later, the Reds had a dangerous chance, but the ball was cleared by the Yellow & Blue defense and in the 90’ Hapoel almost found the winner via a through ball to Yonatan Levi but his attempt went out for a corner as the contest ended in a 2:2 draw.
