Maccabi Tel Aviv U19 delivered one of their most convincing away displays of the season on Wednesday night, beating Hapoel Kfar Saba U19 5-2 in the Israel Youth League. The visitors scored five times on the road, turned a tight first half into a rout after the interval, and underlined why their academy side is regarded as one of the most dangerous attacking units in the country at this age level.

Match overview

Played under the lights at Kfar Saba, the fixture pitted a younger, more direct home side against a Maccabi team built on patient build-up play and quick combinations in the final third. Hapoel Kfar Saba started with energy and pressed high, but once Maccabi settled into their passing rhythm, the game tilted decisively in the visitors' favour.

The final scoreline of 5-2 reflects the gap in finishing quality rather than a one-sided match. Kfar Saba created genuine chances, scored twice, and forced several saves, but every time they clawed their way back into the contest, Maccabi responded with another burst of attacking quality.

Key moments

• 12' – 0-1: Maccabi struck first after a patient move down the right, finished calmly at the near post.
• 24' – 1-1: Hapoel Kfar Saba levelled with a well-worked set piece, heading home from a deep delivery.
• 38' – 1-2: The visitors regained the lead just before the break, punishing a loose pass in midfield with a swift counter-attack.
• 51' – 1-3: Maccabi's striker completed a rapid double early in the second half, finishing off a low cross.
• 63' – 2-3: Kfar Saba refused to fold, pulling one back with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
• 70' – 2-4: A fourth Maccabi goal restored the two-goal cushion and killed the home side's momentum.
• 86' – 2-5: The scoring was completed late on, with Maccabi's front line again finding space behind a tiring defence.

Tactical story

Maccabi Tel Aviv's shape was the defining feature of the night. Their midfield trio pressed aggressively but in a controlled block, cutting off the central lane and forcing Kfar Saba to play long. That suited the visitors perfectly: with quick, technical wide players and a striker willing to run in behind, Maccabi repeatedly turned defensive recoveries into shooting opportunities within seconds.

Hapoel Kfar Saba's problem was structural. Their full-backs pushed high to support attacks, and when possession was lost, the space behind them became a shooting gallery. The home side's two goals came from moments of genuine quality, but their inability to defend transitions meant they were always chasing the game.

Standout performers

Maccabi's centre-forward was the headline act, scoring three of his side's five goals and dropping into midfield to link play when needed. His movement dragged Kfar Saba's centre-backs out of position all evening, creating room for the wide forwards to attack the box.

For Hapoel Kfar Saba, the goalkeeper made a string of saves that kept the score respectable, and the attacking midfielder who scored the second goal was the home side's most inventive player, repeatedly finding pockets of space between the lines.

What it means for the table

For Maccabi Tel Aviv U19, the three points and the five-goal haul are a significant boost to both their points total and their goal difference in the Israel Youth League — the kind of margin that can matter when title races are decided on fine details. It also extends their reputation as one of the highest-scoring sides in the division.

Hapoel Kfar Saba U19 remain a competitive mid-table outfit with clear attacking promise, but this defeat highlighted the defensive work still needed if they are to climb toward the upper half. Conceding five at home is a result that will demand a response in their next fixture.

The two clubs will meet again later in the campaign, and on this evidence it will be a fixture worth watching: Kfar Saba have shown they can score against the strongest teams, while Maccabi have shown exactly how ruthless they can be when given space.