_a.jpg "צילום: אלי אלגרט")
Gustavo Boccoli fighting for control
צילום: אלי אלגרט
Haifa wins, Tel Aviv loses in European soccer bid
Maccabi Haifa thrash French Auxerre in European match as Israeli side demonstrate good offense and strong defense. Hapoel Tel Aviv lose to Greek Panathinaikos in disappointing fashion
Much joy in the northern city of Haifa Thursday evening as their Maccabi team defeated A.J. Auxerre of the French premiere league 3-1 in the first match of the group round in the UEFA Cup tournament. Hapoel Tel Aviv lost to the Greek Panathinaikos 2-0.
In their much anticipated first European home game played in Israel since Israeli teams were barred from hosting games due to the war in the north, Maccabi Haifa dominated the French side with an explosive offense and tight defense as Alain Masudi, scored the first goal for the greens in the 13th minute. The French squad continued to press the goal of Nir Davidovich and scored their only goal in the 29th minute. Halftime score: 1-1
The second half brought a renewed onslaught on the Hiafa goal with Davidovich rising to the task every time. In the 55th minute Gustavo Boccoli gave a devastating shot from just outside the penalty box to score Haifa's second goal. The French squad didn't know what hit them, and allowed another goal only three minutes later as forward Roberto Colautti entered the penalty box, passed the leaping French goalie, and placed the ball in the net to seal the victory. Final score: 3-1
This victory places Maccabi Haifa at the top of group A tied with the Scottish Glasgow Rangers. Haifa's next match in the UEFA Cup tournament will take place in two weeks against their Scottish rivals in an exciting away game.
In contrast to the joy in Haifa, Hapoel Tel-Aviv had lost their first match in the group round against Panathinaikos of Greece 2-0 in the empty Olympic stadium in Athens. The Greek squad was barred from having fans in the stadium because of supporter riots in previous games.
In two weeks Hapoel will host the Romanian squad Rapid Bucharest in Tel Aviv and hope for a better result as they attempt to improve their standing in their group G.
