Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the UEFA Europa League Play-Off round after a 3-1 victory over Ħamrun Spartans in Serbia, sealing a 5-2 aggregate win.
The Maltese side had their chances to change the course of the tie but were left to rue missed opportunities – most notably Emerson Marcelina’s 28th-minute penalty, which struck the crossbar with the score still goalless.
Maccabi took the lead on 37 minutes when Raz Shlomo’s pass found Ido Shahar, who finished calmly past Henry Bonello. Ħamrun almost responded immediately when Dusan Cadjenovic’s fierce drive hit the upright, before Joseph Mbong levelled on 44 minutes after being played through by N’Dri Koffi.
However, the parity lasted less than a minute as Shahar struck again from close range after Osher Davida’s low cross.
In the second half, both sides created openings, but Maccabi extended their lead in the 69th minute when Shahar turned provider, setting up Davida to make it 3-1 and end any hopes of a Spartans comeback.
Despite the defeat, Ħamrun’s European campaign continues in the UEFA Conference League Play-Off round, where they will face RFS Riga for a place in the competition’s League Phase.
Stats:
Score: Maccabi Tel Aviv 3 (Shahar 37, 52; Davida 69) Ħamrun Spartans 1 (Mbong 44) – Maccabi win 5-2 on aggregate
Ħamrun XI: Bonello, Compri, Marcelina, Bjelicic, Camenzuli, Mbong, Cadjenovic, Garcia (59 El Fanis), Eder (58 Coric), Thioune (58 Hadzi), Koffi.
Maccabi XI: Mishpati, Asante, Stojic, Shlomo, Revivo, Peretz, Sissokho, Shahar, Davida, Nicolaescu, Madmon.
Referee: Rohit Saggi (Norway).
Yellow Cards: Camenzuli, Davida, Cadjenovic (Ħ).
Missed Penalty: Marcelina (Ħ) 28’.
Sports Editor
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