Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the third round of Europa League qualifying action as they drew 2:2 at Radnicki giving them a 4:2 aggregate victory over the two legged tie. An own goal by Radovan Pankov and an Eliran Atar marker gave the Yellow & Blue their goals while Aleksandar Stanisavljević scored a brace for the host’s. Next up for Maccabi will be the first leg of the third round against Pyunik from Armenia on Tuesday August 7th in Yerevan.
Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Jair Amador, Enric Saborit, Dor Peretz, Eyal Golasa, Dor Micha, Eliran Atar, Aaron Schoenfeld and Vidar Kjartansson.
Available on the bench were keeper Haviv Ohayon, Shahar Piven, Chico Ofoedu, Dan Glazer, Ruslan Barsky, Sheran Yeini and Itay Shechter.
First Half
Radnicki had the first couple of chances as they tried in vain to find the back of the Maccabi goal in the 5′ as Aleksandar Stanisavljević’s shot went over Rajkovic’s goal while five minutes later Haskić threatened to score but his attempt flew over the bar. The Yellow & Blue created their opening opportunity of the contest in the 18’ when Micha sent Kjartansson a magnificent through ball, but the Icelander’s chip shot was just stopped by Mladen Zivkovic.
In the 26’ Petar Grbic had a dangerous attempt from inside of the box on Rajikovic’s goal but the Yellow & Blue shot stopper made the timely save as the host’s continued to look to break the ice. However, it would be Maccabi who would score first thanks to an own goal by Radovan Pankov in the 33’ as Micha sent Atar the ball in the box which went off of the Radnicki player and behind Zivkovic.
Atar would double the Maccabi advantage in the 38’ with a great solo effort as he cut into the box from the left and slotted the ball by the Radnicki keeper for a 2:0 lead. But just before the break, Radnikci pulled a goal back as Stanisavljević took advantage of a Maccabi mixup to draw the host’s to within one, 2:1 after 45 minutes of action.
Second Half
Nikola Aksentijević had Radnicki’s first chance of the second half but Rajkovic again made a fine save to keep the score as is in the 48’ while two minutes later Dusan Mićić’s 20 meter attempt missed the target and whistled by the post. In the 55′ Maccabi made their first substitution as Sheran Yeini came on for Enric Saborit and Radnicki also made a substitution as Ryota Noma was replaced by Sasa Stojanovic.
The host’s drew even at 2:2 three minutes later when Stanisavljević scored his second of the night thanks to an assist by Lazar Ranđelović. Radnicki continued to press Maccabi as Yeini cleared a fine chance by the Serbian side off the line while a busy Rajkovic continued to be forced into action.
Ruslan Barsky was introduced for Atar in the 63’ as Ivic made his second substitute of the match. Schoenfeld just missed adding a marker four minutes later but his attempt went wide left of the Radnicki goal. Lazar Ranđelović came off for Marko Mrkić in the 73’ for Radnicki and a minute later Stanisavljević almost scored his third of the match but Rajko was up to the task yet again.
Nikola Stanković was issued a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Golasa in the 76’ while Radnicki made their third substitution of the match in the 82’ when Sladan Nikodijević entered the match for Nermin Haskić. Chico Ofoedu then made his Maccabi Tel Aviv debut as he replaced Vidar Kjartansson a minute later while Đorđe Crnomarković was issued a yellow card in the 84’.
The Yellow & Blue had a couple of late chances to no avail as Maccabi Tel Avi wrapped up a 4:2 aggregate victory (2:0 1st home leg, 2:2 2nd leg away) over Radnicki and advanced to the third round of Europa League qualifying where they will meet Pyunik of Armenia away in the first leg on Tuesday August 7th in Yerevan.
