Mixed Results for Israeli Clubs in European Soccer Qualifying; Hapoel Tel Aviv Achieves Valuable Win

Israeli clubs experienced mixed fortunes in the third round of European soccer qualifying over the weekend. Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved a valuable 2-0 away win against Katowice in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League tie, while Beitar Jerusalem fell 2-1 to Austria Wien and Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 3-0 to CSKA Sofia.

“

Given how the game developed, the players also felt that we could have won by more. Still, at the end of the day we played a very good game from a professional standpoint. The 2-0 result helps us advance to the next round, but it doesn’t take us there yet.

Hapoel Tel Aviv's goals came from Stav Turiel and Roi Alkukin, giving them a solid advantage heading into the return leg. Coach Elyaniv Barda expressed satisfaction with the professional performance, acknowledging the team could have scored more but emphasizing the importance of the 2-0 result for advancing. He also lauded the traveling Hapoel supporters for creating a "real home feeling."

Beitar Jerusalem, however, faces an uphill battle after their 2-1 loss to Austria Wien. Despite taking an early lead through Noam Muche, they conceded two goals, including a winner in the 70th minute. Coach Almog Cohen described the result as "very disappointing" and highlighted the need for a comeback in the second leg.

“

Kudos to all the fans who came out here to see us. It’s unbelievable, they gave us a real home feeling and it has an incredible impact on the players.

Maccabi Tel Aviv's European campaign also hit a setback with their 3-0 defeat to CSKA Sofia, leaving them with a significant deficit to overcome.

“

It’s very disappointing. We came here to win the game.