Maccabi Tel Aviv's youth side served notice that they intend to defend their Israeli Youth Premier League title, beating Maccabi Petah Tikva 3-1 away at HaMoshava Stadium on Friday to move to six points from two rounds of the new 2026/27 season.
The reigning champions were the sharper side before the break. Ido Yosef put them ahead in the 38th minute and Itay Mahager doubled the lead three minutes later, sending Dan Roman's side in at half-time firmly in control.
Petah Tikva responded with intent, making three substitutions at the interval, and the changes paid off when Liam Weinstein, on for Yaakov Michael-Zada, halved the deficit in the 67th minute to set up a tense finish.
Tel Aviv settled the contest from the penalty spot. Roy Gafni converted in the 75th minute to restore the two-goal cushion and take the game away from the hosts, who could not find a way back a second time.
"Satisfied with the first half, relatively, very unsatisfied with the second half," Roman said afterwards, according to ONE. "I think we have a lot to learn from that second period, plenty of mistakes to correct — but it's better to be correcting them when you're winning."
The coach singled out goalkeeper Idan Trau, who was called into repeated action as Petah Tikva pushed for an equaliser. "Trau gives us a lot of confidence, he had an outstanding second half," Roman said, adding that the busy afternoon for his goalkeeper reflected some defensive fragility but also showed exactly what is expected of a third-year youth player who also trains with the senior squad.
Both sides made wholesale changes as the match wore on — Tel Aviv used five substitutes in total, including late switches around Gafni's penalty — typical of a youth fixture being used to test squad depth early in the campaign.
The win keeps Maccabi Tel Aviv perfect after two rounds of the Liga Leumit LeNoar season, with Roman's side already served early warning that title defences rarely come without scares.
