The Youth Premier League provides us with a tremendously simple season so far with insane battles at both the top and bottom, with the State Cup also having a big and intriguing competition for winning the coveted trophy. At this time, Maccabi Netanya and Maccabi Petah Tikva meet for a big battle in the semifinals.
Last season, Petah Tikva reached the final stage of the National Youth Cup, but lost to Ashdod. This season, the Malabes hope to transcend themselves and do everything in their power to achieve the coveted title. The team is in third place in the league table, only two points below Maccabi Tel Aviv at the top. The Malabuses reached their current level after ousting Betar Ness Tobruk with a 1: 2 victory.
On the other hand, Maccabi Netanya, which is in tenth place, came as a real underdog and is trying to create a sensation and qualify for the finals. The diamonds reached the current stage after beating Maccabi Haifa with a 1: 2 victory. In the last decade, none of them have won the cup, but Netanya has two appearances in the finals (seasons 2018/19 and 2012/13), while Petah Tikva, as I say, has only one appearance.
first half:
Minute 1, Maccabi Netanya went up to 0: 1: Extremely fast gate of diamonds. Osher Eliyahu made a great double pass and released a powerful ball by touching towards the corner, the ball hit the crossbar and from there into the back of goalkeeper Maor Erlich and went into the net.
Minute 5, Maccabi Petah Tikva equalized to 1: 1: What a tremendous opening to deal with. Ariel Lugassi managed to break free and bomb from the edge of an extension to Tomer Tzarfati’s net.
In the 8th minute, Maccabi Petah Tikva became 1: 2: Three goals in eight minutes and the Malabuses’ turnaround is complete. After a clear setback in the box, Shalev Daniel went on to kick and was not confused from the penalty spot.
19th minute, a good opportunity for Petah Tikva: Idan Gorno Toklomati made an impressive dribble on the right side, cut to the center and kicked a flat ball, but Tomer Tzarfati was there and grabbed it with both hands.
22 minutes, a beautiful move by Netanya: Osher Eliyahu held the ball in the box and dropped back to Aviv Kenrik who bombed, but the attempt was stopped and went to the corner only.
Maccabi Netanya: Tomer Tzarfati, Osher Eliyahu, Barak Englister, Yarin Hasson, Omer Yunes, Eli Yitzhak, Dennis Kulikov, Aviv Kenrik, Alon Ginat, Niv Livnat and Eyal Abadi.
Maccabi Petah Tikva: Maor Erlich, Idan Gorno Toklomati, Ofek Geller, Ariel Lugassi, Hadar Fox, Eli Tzeiri, Itai Shalev, Eli Shafik, Shalev Daniel, Meir Moshe and Shavit Algabi.