Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv U19 1-0 Maccabi Netanya U19 | Israel Youth Cup | May 13, 2026

Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv’s Under-19 side booked their place in the next round of the Israel Youth Cup with a gritty 1-0 victory over Maccabi Netanya U19 at the Bnei Yehuda training ground on Wednesday night. The solitary goal came midway through the first half, and the hosts defended doggedly to secure the win.

Match Overview

The match was a tense youth cup tie, with both teams cautious early on. Bnei Yehuda took the lead in the 24th minute through a well-worked move. Midfielder Noam Cohen slipped a pass through to striker Oz Rafael, who turned his marker and fired low into the corner. It was the only clear chance of the first half, as Maccabi Netanya struggled to create anything of note.

The second half saw Netanya push forward in search of an equaliser. They enjoyed more possession and forced a couple of saves from Bnei Yehuda goalkeeper Yonatan Shalem. The best opportunity came in the 71st minute when Netanya’s winger, Eitan Hadad, cut inside and curled a shot that hit the post. Bnei Yehuda held on through six minutes of stoppage time to advance.

Key Moments

• 24' – Oz Rafael scores the only goal of the game for Bnei Yehuda.
• 71' – Eitan Hadad hits the post for Maccabi Netanya.
• 90+3' – Bnei Yehuda defender Ori Sabag clears a header off the line.

Tactical Story

Bnei Yehuda set up in a compact 4-4-1-1, content to absorb pressure and hit on the counter. Their goal came from precisely that pattern—a quick transition through midfield caught Netanya’s defence out of shape. After taking the lead, the home side dropped into a low block, inviting Netanya to have the ball but limiting space behind the backline. Netanya lacked the creativity to break down a well-organised defence, resorting to long-range shots and crosses that were easily dealt with.

Standout Players

• Oz Rafael (Bnei Yehuda U19) – Scored the winner and showed maturity beyond his years.
• Yonatan Shalem (Bnei Yehuda U19) – Made several key saves to preserve the clean sheet.
• Eitan Hadad (Maccabi Netanya U19) – Unlucky not to equalise; his effort on goal was the closest Netanya came.

Impact on the Competition

Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv U19 advance to the quarter-finals of the Israel Youth Cup, where they will face the winner of the tie between Hapoel Tel Aviv U19 and Maccabi Haifa U19. For Maccabi Netanya, the defeat ends their cup run, but they can take heart from a competitive display. The Youth Cup remains a prestigious trophy in Israeli youth football, and Bnei Yehuda will now fancy their chances of a deep run.