Be’erSheva progress in Champions League
Israeli champions to face Bulgarian side Ludogorets in third qualifying round.
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
Hapoel Be’erSheva are two ties away from reaching the group stages of next season’s Champions League after they completed a 5-3 victory over Hungarian side Honved on Wednesday evening.
Going into the second leg with a 2-1 lead from the first game in Israel, John Ogu gave them the the perfect start in the 12th minute, after Ben Sahar’s shot came back off the post.
Anthony Nwakaeme doubled their lead four minutes later with a superb curling effort, meaning the home side needed four goals to win the tie.
Davide Lanzafame did offer them a glimmer of hope from the penalty spot, on the stroke of half-time, and they pulled level on the night when Botond Barath acrobatically hooked home the equaliser.
Going in search of two more goals, the Israelis were able to threaten on the counter-attack, and having spurned several opportunities to put the game beyond doubt, Nwakaeme did just that six minutes from time, with another composed finish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPl6GfWhDAw
Coach Barak Becher said: “We started the game with a strong offensive team to surprise them at first, to instill confidence and I’m glad that’s what happened.
“However, I always look at the worse things, we weren’t ourselves at certain moments, but that’s due to this [early] stage of the season. But the majority of the game was fine and we will improve later what is needed.”
Midfielder Maor Malikson said: “We believe in our abilities, we knew that we would come and play our game and things will work out, I’m glad that’s what happened. I’m glad we have at least another two rounds at least in Europe and believe we will do our best.”
Be’erSheva next face Bulgarian champions Ludogorets, who in last season’s Champions League, narrowly lost to Arsenal and held PSG to a 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes. The first leg, at the Turner Stadium, takes place on Wednesday evening.
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