Maccabi under-18s seek to win their third championship since 1998
2025 is set to go down as one of the most successful in the decorated football history of Jewish-affiliated soccer clubs.
Standing: Noah Bass, Coby Senator, Jonathan Goldberg, Mark Greenberg, Xander Keller, Ben Palmer, Oliver Satusky, Alex Heydt, David Bass
Crouching: Jackson Briner, Ryan Hirschowitz, Joshua Chesler, Dean Corrick, David Miller, Jaydon Finucane Missing: Lee Michel and Zac Strasser
Following Hakoah Juniors having secured a two-year promotion to the National Premier League NSW Youth Division One, Maccabi’s Under 18s Youth team have the chance to match an achievement only twice reached in the club’s history.
In 2024, the team narrowly missed out on winning the under-18s title, playing as a group of 15/16-year-olds against much older opposition.
This year, Maccabi’s experience proved vital. The team dropped points only on two occasions throughout the season before winning their League and securing the double with a Grand Final 5-1 win against Maroubra United. Two of their players and one of Maroubra’s were sent off in a heated match.
The prize for winning the under-18 competition was entry into the NSW Soccer Federation’s ‘Champion of Champions’ Cup, a knockout tournament that sees all NSW Association winners play off against each other to be crowned the top team in the state.
After Maccabi’s first-round bye, they were drawn against Greenacre Eagles FC in a Round of 16 game. Heavy security was required for the game, which was played with high intensity but with good spirits from both clubs. Maccabi came from 2-0 down to triumph 5-4 on penalties. Their quarter-final against Hornsby Heights FC was a far more comfortable affair, with Maccabi winning 3-1 in a physical encounter.
On Sunday, Maccabi faced Auburn District, playing in 32-degree heat at Heffron Park. As occurred on several occasions this year, Maccabi went behind before scoring twice in the first half, taking a 2-1 lead into the break, and then played out the match to secure their place in the final 3-1.
Maccabi now have the chance to win a trophy only achieved twice before in the Club’s history when their Over-35s won the tournament in 1998 with club stalwart Mick Vasin in goal, and again in 2003, when their Under 15’s triumphed in the tournament.
The core of the Maccabi team has played together under coach Michael Synnott and manager Karen Finucane since the under-9s. The team has predominantly stayed together, and hails from all Jewish backgrounds of Sydney, with players from both the Eastern Suburbs and North Shore, studying at Moriah College, Emanuel, Kesser Torah and Rose Bay High.
Maccabi will face Prospect United SC in the Champion of Champions Cup Final at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday, October 19th at 9:30am
