The season game of the Premier League for Boys A was promised and fulfilled in a big way after Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Netanya this morning (Saturday) 2:4 at the “Shapira” field in Netanya, closing the gap at the top on the way to equal points between the teams (68 points each) with two rounds remaining for the end of the season. The Tel Avivians took the top thanks to the victory with a much better goal difference (25:90 compared to Netanya’s 32:70).
Many football people came to watch the intriguing game, among them the CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ben Mansford, and the technical director, Dominic Price, while the technical director of the youth teams, Bonnie Ginzburg, also came to the side of the youth team coach Ofir Haim. Patrick van Leeuwen, who advises Netanya’s youth department, sat in the stands as well. The association even sent Menashe Mashiach, the senior Premier League referee in the past, to referee the important game and he managed it excellently.
Ben Mansford and Dominic Price in Netanya (Shahar Gross)
The coach of the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team, Michael Zandberg, also came to watch the meeting alongside the new professional director of the department, Gadi Bromer. Both teams came to the game knowing that the result of the game could decide the championship fight, and this could also be seen on the field when both teams started the game strong and continued that way throughout, when the decision came in the last two minutes.
Netanya, which led the league for many weeks, was the first to score when Daniel Atlan, who was injured later in the first half and was replaced, took advantage of a quick burst to give his team the lead. The advantage did not last long because a few minutes later the Tel Avivians equalized thanks to a strike by the captain, Idan Weinberg, which determined the result of the first half.
Bonnie Ginzburg and Ofir Haim (Shahar Gross)
The second half started like the first when the Diamonds took the lead once again thanks to a goal by the outstanding striker Daniel Dafaa, but once again Maccabi Tel Aviv answered quickly with an equalizer from Lotem Essers, who also excelled in the game. After the tie, both teams continued to attack with the goal of getting the precious winning goal, until in the last minutes it was the guest’s substitutes, Yali Donor and Sahar Zaken, who set a turnaround with two late goals (88 and 90) and gave the yellow and blue the important victory.
Following the victory, Maccabi Tel Aviv closed the gap with the leader Maccabi Netanya and now the two teams are tied on points, but a goal difference of 27 more in favor of the Tel Avivians places them in first place with two games left until the end of the season and the championship battle is decided. With the yellows, apart from the outstanding Lotem Essars, Roi Magor, who was involved in three of the four goals, and Iti Barhum, who was excellent, stood out.
Patrick Van Leeuwen alongside Idan Kasif (Shahar Gross)
the progress of the game
10th minute, a threat from Maccabi Tel Aviv: a long outside ball from the Tel Avivians went through the entire defense and found Lotem Essers alone in front of the goalkeeper but his shot was blocked by the goalkeeper Raz Tzafir.
11th minute, a goal! Netanya went up to 0:1: After a dangerous attack by the guest, the diamonds went on a quick burst that ended with a pass from Shahar Nahum that left Atlan alone in front of the goalkeeper and Atlan sent the ball against the direction of the goalkeeper and inside.
Maccabi Netanya players celebrate (Shahar Gross)
Minute 23, a goal! Maccabi Tel Aviv compared to 1:1: The visitors’ control paid off after a corner by Roi Magor found Yahel Abergel who hit towards the captain Idan Weinberg, and the latter kicked hard at Zfarir. The goalkeeper admittedly deflected, but the referee, Menashe Mashiach, ruled that the ball crossed the line and confirmed an equaliser.
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrate (Shahar Gross)
26th minute, another threat from Tel Aviv. Acers tried to get a quick turnaround after picking up a ball in a dangerous area and kicking a flat kick that beat the goalkeeper but hit the crossbar and went out.
47th minute, a goal! Maccabi Netanya went up to 1:2: A strong opening of the second half for the hosts, who took advantage of a mix-up in the Tel Aviv square to get back in the lead thanks to a strong kick in Dafaa’s turn.
Maccabi Netanya players celebrate (Shahar Gross) Maccabi Netanya players celebrate (Shahar Gross)
49th minute, a goal! Maccabi Tel Aviv equalized 2:2: The Netanya advantage did not last long after a long outside shot by Grama that went over the goalkeeper and reached Sars who in front of an empty goal hit the net.
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrate (Shahar Gross)
69th minute, a dangerous situation for the guests. Asers continued to threaten the Netanya goal when his personal operation ended with a second kick of his game that was stopped by the crossbar.
74th minute, a threat from the diamonds. Both teams are looking for the important winning goal and this time it was Netanya who almost did it with a quick burst but Trao stopped Zithoni one on one.
Menashe Moshiach (Shahar Gross)
88th minute, a goal! Maccabi Tel Aviv went up to 2:3: The makeover of the Tel Avivites is complete. Roi Magor broke free from Netanya’s pressure, sent a key pass to the substitute Guy Reich, and this released a lift that found the head of Yali Donor. The goalkeeper had no chance to stop and the substitute player achieved the conversion.
Maccabi Tel Aviv players in a frenzy (Shahar Gross)
90th minute, a goal! Maccabi Tel Aviv went up to 2:4: Netanya sent all her players forward in order to achieve parity, but this allowed the guest to go on a rampage. Roi Magor grabbed the ball and led the attack towards Yaheli Danor, who passed it to Uri Bardugo and he continued with a beautiful pass to Sahar Zaken who did not get confused in front of the goalkeeper. Another goal for another substitute brought on by coach Zion Cohen in the second half.
Maccabi Netanya lineup:
Raz Tsfarir, Itai Schwartzman (Yirin Shoshan ’80), Alon Fahima, Alexey Talpa (Nevo Mayost ’65), Arel Shariki, Daniel Atlan (Zuri Zithoni ’30), Daniel Dafaa, Taher Thana (Yahli Polak ’85), Liam Silis, Ido David, Shahar Nahum.
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrate (Shahar Gross)
Maccabi Tel Aviv lineup:
Idan Trao, Itai Barhoum, Itai Zafarani (Yahli Donor ’70), Ben Grama (Guy Reich ’75), Yahal Abergel (Sahar Zaken ’72), Lotem Asers, Liran Spiegel, Idan Weinberg, Rom Savitz (Uri Berdogo ’82) , Roi Magor, Ran Rival.
