This morning (Saturday) the semi-finals of the late Yaakov Grundman’s Children’s Cup took place, with Hapoel Kfar Saba Shimon and Maccabi Tel Aviv Oz meeting in the first game, while Maccabi Netanya and Ashdod Sports Club met in the second game. Maccabi Tel Aviv Oz, Maccabi Netanya and Ashdod Sports Club play in the same district (Center 1), but Hapoel Kfar Saba came from the Central District. Those who will face each other in the final of the C Children’s Cup are Maccabi Tel Aviv Oz and the Ashdod Sports Club. Last season, Hapoel Petah Tikva defeated Maccabi Petah Tikva 1: 3 in a derby in the final and picked up the title for the 2020/21 season.
The last time Maccabi Tel Aviv Oz won the cup was in the 2015/16 season. On the other hand, the last time the Ashdod Sports Club reached the final of the Third Children’s Cup was in the 2007/08 season, when it met with Hapoel Haifa. After 1: 1 in overtime, Hapoel Haifa won 3: 4 with penalty kicks from 11 meters. If so, in the first game this morning (Saturday), Hapoel Kfar Saba and Maccabi Tel Aviv competed. Ahmad Hamada Marai’s team defeated Tomer Koren’s team 0: 5, with goals from Tomer Markowitz (pair) who came in as a substitute, Yahli Ben Hamo, Liraz Yomtov and Noam David.
GrazingCoach of Maccabi Tel Aviv Children III, commented on qualifying for the final: “I am most happy for the players. They work hard all season and they deserve it. We have progressed a lot from the beginning of the year to today. Congratulations to the players for the effort they give in every training and every game. “
In the second game, Maccabi Netanya and Ashdod Sports Club faced each other. Less than two minutes passed and Ashdod took the lead thanks to a goal by Idan Sisai, with Noam Azran cooking for him. A minute later, Maccabi Netanya returned to the game and set up 1: 1, from a goal by Yarin Avihatzira. In the 13th minute, Avihatzira completed a pair and turned the result to Netanya’s credit. In the 23rd minute, Ashdod returned to the game and set 2: 2 after a goal by Yair Almoznino. Two minutes passed and Ashdod turned the score to 2: 3 thanks to a goal by Noam Ezran. In the 34th minute, Ashdod took a 2: 4 lead when Almoznino completed a pair. In the second half, Netanya still managed to return to 4: 3, after a goal by Lior Hing, but it was not enough.
CohenCoach of the Ashdod Sports Club, Children C, commented on qualifying for the final: “A game against an opponent is not easy at all, but these children have a heart and soul that no other team has. I am so proud of them for a great season.”