“Ashdod are a very good side” Piven said, “It is set to be an attractive match. They are an a very good side with excellent players while are waiting to face them and prove we are better. In the forthcoming period we will have to remain focused in order to fight for all the titles”.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s European season came to an end following a 1-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in Kiev as the Ukrainians won 3-0 on aggregate in the Europa League round of 32. A Junior Moraes second half penalty did the damage on the night but Patrick Van Leeuwen’s charges should be proud with a brave performance and a successful European campaign.

Pre Game

Maccabi Tel Aviv will aim to pull a miraculous recovery and extend their European run by canceling the 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Tel Aviv – as they face Shakhtar Donetsk in Kyiv for the Europa League Round of 32 match.

Maccabi’s coach Patrick van Leeuwen, who suffered his first defeat in all competitions against the Ukrainians’ last week, made two changes from the side that lined-up in the first leg for the match at the Olimpyskiy stadium.

An unchanged defense protecting goalkeeper Daniel Tenenbaum, saw Andre Geraldes and Enric Saborit named on the right and left respectively with Luis Hernandez and Eytan Tibi as the two central defenders. Eyal Golasa stepped in for Avi Rikan to join Dan Glazer and Dor Peretz as the midfield trio with Peretz wearing the captain’s armband on the night. Matan Hozez, was named on the wing with Dan Biton dropping to the bench, while Tal Ben Chaim as the other winger and Aleksandar Pesic as the out and out striker led the attack.

Maccabi’s players wore black armbands to commemorate the death of former striker, Rafi Levy, who passed away today at the age of 83. As an act of solidarity, Shakhtar Donetsk, wore black armbands as well.

First Half

Maccabi began the match on the front foot as Aleksandar Pesic had a first shot on goal as early as the 2nd minute but the tall Serbian striker who cleared the crossbar was judged to have been offside.

Shakhtar started showing their dominance as Manor Solomon tried a shot from inside the area in the 4th minute, but Dan Glazer blocked his effort with a perfect tackle. Two minutes later, Shakhtar caught Maccabi’s defense with a counter attack that resulted with Dodo hitting the side netting.

Daniel Tenenbaum was forced to make his first save on 19 as he punched out Taison’s powerful shot before Mykola Matviyenko blasted the rebound high over the crossbar. Dodo skipped past Enric Saborit on 23 to tee-up Marlos who flashed a shot wide of the post.

Shakhtar started showing their dominance as Manor Solomon tried a shot from inside the area in the 4th minute, but Dan Glazer blocked his effort with a perfect tackle. Two minutes later, Shakhtar caught Maccabi’s defense with a counter attack that resulted with Dodo hitting the side netting.

Daniel Tenenbaum was forced to make his first save on 19 as he punched out Taison’s powerful shot before Mykola Matviyenko blasted the rebound high over the crossbar. Dodo skipped past Enric Saborit on 23 to tee-up Marlos who flashed a shot wide of the post.

Maccabi kept on looking dangerous and seemed destined to score on 39 as a Hozez corner was headed by Eytan Tibi onto the crossbar before Peretz struck the rebound onto the post for an almost point blank range.

Maccabi kept on pushing forward as Trubin needed a double save in the 43rd minute to grab hold of a Ben Chaim cross. On the stroke of halftime, Hozez blasted a half volley high over the crossbar, before Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez sent both teams into the dressing room with the result still 0-0.

Second Half

With Van Leeuwen happy with what he had seen in the first half, his counterpart Luis Castro made a double change at the restart as Marcos Antonio and Tete came in for Solomon and Marlos. In less than a minute though Maccabi had the ball in the back of the Shakhtar net thanks to a Dor Peretz diving header. But the midfielder’s celebrations were short-lived as Pesic was judged to have fouled a defender and the goal was disallowed.

Junior Moraes shot over Tenenbaum’s crossbar on 51 before Maccabi’s defense was at full stretch to clear an Antonio cross two minutes later as first Tibi then Andre Gerlades cleared the ball out of the danger zone.

A Shakhtar counter attack on 61 saw Tenebaum charge off his goal-line before Tete could reach the through ball.

Despite Maccabi’s dominance, Shakhtar were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute after Ben Chaim brought Tete down inside the area. Junior Moraes stepped up and successfully converted the spot kick to put Shakhtar in front on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

Van Leeuwen who was planning a double change, took out Ben Chaim and Pesic and introduced Nick Blackman and Eduardo Guerrero. Avi Rikan and Dan Biton replaced Golasa and Hozez for the final 13 minutes as Van Leeuwen introduced two pairs of fresh legs.

Guerrero should have levelled the score in the 86th minute after being sent clear through by a perfect Peretz pass. But the Panamanian winger blasted his shot high over Trubin’s crossbar.

The final whistle denied Maccabi any rewards for their efforts on the night but saw them walk off the cold pitch with their heads up high for an impressive campaign.