Olim League week three review
The Olim League resumed after its week break action which included a loss for the the leaders…
Athletico Jerusalem 4 England 2
Athletico Jerusalem used the week’s break to their advantage and produced and inspired performance against the champions England FC. A solid start was capped with a well taken third minute goal by Yonathan Journo. He was soon forced off in the eighth minute with a leg injury and may be doubtful for this week’s upcoming game with Jaffa. England were clearly stunned by going behind but worked themselves back into the game.
In the 16th minute England were level when Elliot Hollander scored. The first half was a well played and equal battle with the Athletico defense and midfield neutralizing England’s threat, with each team picking up some yellow cards. And a half-time score of 1-1 seemed a fair reflection on the game.
The turning point came in the 52nd minute when Yoni Sidi was sent-off for his second yellow card after deliberately handling the ball when the last defender. England however were initially the more inspired of the teams and won a penalty three minutes later. Motti Colman took the penalty and slotted in the rebound.
Athletico were still in control of the game and soon made their man advantage count. TJ broke free in the 60th minute to equalise and then a well-worked move saw captain Carlos M cross to the far post were Ben Russo headed past a beaten keeper.
Chaim Lev completed the win and made sure that Athletico would win their first points of the campaign with a well taken 75th minute goal. Athletic moved off the bottom place and now look forward to the big bottom of the table – six pointer – clash this week with a home game against Jaffa
Raanana 0 MS Bambi 1
Bambi beat league leaders Raanana this week in a tough and aggressive game. New boys MS Bambi dominated possession and sent countless long balls over the Raanana defense to their lone striker. Aviiv Zemer scored the only goal of the game in the first half. Following the goal there were plenty of heated moments but thanks to good refereeing things didn’t boil over. MS Bambi manager Yoni Sarig said after the game: “We have done extremely well to rise to the top of the league and we will look to maintain our position till the end”.
Modiin 4 Jaffa 1
Modiin FC continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-1 victory over Jaffa.
Modiin started an attack straight from the kick off and immediately won a free-kick when Joni Reiner was brought down on the edge of the area. Omri Enckaoua stepped up and rifled the ball into the back of the net. Modiin were well in command and midway through the first half, Matan Kroizer went on a superb run down the right wing and pulled the ball back to Enckaoua, who controlled and then effortlessly curled the ball into the top left hand corner to make it 2-0.
Modiin continued dominating play in the 2nd half with some great one-touch football. Reiner was pulling the strings up top and played and exquisite through ball to Kroizer who finished neatly in the bottom right hand corner.
Jaffa were not going to lie down and with 20 minutes to go won a penalty which Nir Hacohen scored with aplomb.
Modiin responded immediately as Enckaoua completed his hat-trick with an unbelievable free-kick from 25 yards which smashed into the stanchion and restored Modiin’s three goal lead.
Modiin Co-manager David Bruce was delighted with his team’s performance. He said: “Omri was outstanding tonight. He controlled the game and scored a hat-trick that will likely win first, second and third place in goal of the month. We are really starting to gel as a team and have high hopes for silverware this season.”
Aviv City 7 Real Jerusalem 2
Accumulating only one out of possible six points, Aviv City FC, coached by veteran manager Uri Schneider, desperately needed a victory. Playing at its home pitch in Jaffa for the first time this season against Real Jerusalem provided the perfect opportunity. The home side started strong and was rewarded with the first goal after 15 minutes of play. Aviv’s newly acquired midfielder Jonathan Friedman made a run through the centre dribbling past two Jerusalem defenders and shooting to the top left of the goal from just outside the penalty area leaving the Jerusalem keeper helpless – 1-0 for Aviv City.
Aviv continued pressing while Real Jerusalem was looking to surprise with counter-attacks. Aviv’s second goal came at the 35th minute when forward Peter Emolla provided a low cross from the right side that left midfielder Ariel Peretz in front of an open goal – 2-0 Aviv City.
Real Jerusalem was not going to give up so easily and towards the end of the first half was awarded a free-kick from just outside the penalty area. Jerusalem’s shot it brilliantly to the left side of the goal. Aviv’s Keeper Robert Bradman was barely able to touch the ball but the shot was too strong and went in – 2-1 for Aviv City – giving the visiting side a glimmer of hope.
Aviv City took the second half by storm. The third goal came when Aviv’s star midfielder Alya perfectly executed a free-kick which went into the far low left of Jerusalem’s goal – 3-1 Aviv City. A few minutes later, Peter Emolla made another break down the left wing, passing the ball to Aviv’s forward Lior Shoham who in turn passed it back to Ariel Peretz who made a powerful shot to score his second goal of the game – 4-1.
Aviv’s avalanche continued. Dangerman Peter Emolla made yet another cross from the left side that was headed down by Uri Schneider towards Lior Shoham who scored a beautiful side bicycle kick – 5-1. The sixth goal was just a matter of time when Alya made another great shot straight into goal just four minutes later.
Real Jerusalem who seemed all but defeated didn’t give up hope yet and were awarded another free-kick on the edge of the penalty box after a foul from Aviv’s defender Daan Bakker. The Real Jerusalem player struck the ball beautifully and curled it to the left side of goal 6-2.
Real Jerusalem’s second goal gave the visiting team some hope as they continued pressing forward, but Aviv’s keeper wasn’t going to let the ball in and made some miraculous saves to keep Aviv’s lead insurmountable. The home side didn’t say its final word yet when Aviv’s left-back – Solo – lived up to his name and finished a 20-meter run with a low shot into the right corner of the goal meeting the net and setting the final score 7-2 for Aviv City.
Aviv City’s manager Uri Schneider was pleased with his team’s performance and the morale boost it will surely provide his team ahead of their important away game against Raanana next week.
Jerusalem 3 Ashdod 2
Unbeaten Ashdod started brightest in the capital. After 15 minutes they deservedly took the lead with a great strike from outside the area. A few minutes later, 2-0 to Ashdod thanks to a defensive error.
Jerusalem then piled on the pressure, doing everything but score. Zack Lewis came closest but was denied by the woodwork.
Jerusalem then changed tactics, but pulled one back two minutes after the interval, converting Zneimer’s through ball. On the hour, Lewis equalised from the spot after being brought down in the area. A few minutes later Ashdod saw an effort ruled out after the ball was punched into the goal.
With 15 minutess to go, Jerusalem took a deserved lead, with Lewis completing his hat-trick after a great pass from Daniel Cohen. An ugly last 10 minutes saw Ashdod players lose their heads, prompting a mini brawl, resulting in two red cards. Jerusalem hold on for deserved win and great fight back to leapfrog Ashdod and move up to third. Whilst plaudits go to Zack for a 2nd consecutive hatrick, special praise for Zneimer, Cohen and Yoel Finchas. Jerusalem:
Jerusalem: Aron Luftig; David Preston, Dan Kosky, Natan Wiesenberg, Yoel Finchas; Akiva Zneimer, Raffy Wreschner, Gav Krieger, Amit Dinowitz; Dan Cohen, Zack Lewis Subs: Calev Ben-Dor, Eli Warner, Yigal Grayeff
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