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.
