23.10.2002,
Sometime football can be a stinky business, like this game. Maccabi Haifa played better then Leverkusen yet the Israeli team couldn’t win.
Gavri "stupid" Levi said that Haifa could play 2 or 3 games in a week, but Haifa after 60 minutes looked like they had no air. All of the players looked tiered like never seen before.
All of the good words should go to Shom that made some good and surprising changes in the starting lineup. Zandberg was a big shock in Haifa's 11^th players. Even Shtopmuler was amazed by the gamble of Shom to put him on. Zandberg and Kessi played at the left side and did some very good work. It was a shame that the biggest star Yakobo wasn’t at his best after missing some very good chances.
Leverkusen didn’t play so good, but again it was Babic who scored at Nicosia that was the main man in Bay-Arina. Leverkusen's defence still can't find a good performance but Lucio and Juan had some good moments. Sebscan played very good and Schanider of course did his job as usual. The Brazilan Fraca played really bad like Berdaric.

Lucio and Ajipor, the Brazilian won at the end.

The open with chances for both teams. 10 minutes in the game Schnaider's free kick from 18 meters went above the goal.
Ruso passed a nice ball to Badir but the Israeli midfielder couldn’t find the net from 10 meters.
After 32 minutes Zandberg passed a wonderful pass between 2 defenders to Yakobo. The Nigerian striker was one on one against the keeper but missed badly.
5 minutes to the half Basturk shot went near the bar after he was free 20 meters from the goal.
In the 45 minute came the goal for the German's. Sebescan crossed a wonderful ball to Babic who was free in the middle of the box and headed the first goal on the night, 1-0 to Leverkusen.
6 minutes in the second Half Kessi was free to take a shot, the Israeli left winger kicked good ball that hit Schnaider and went to goal but Butt saved it over the bar.
In the 53^rd minute, Praljia scored. Ruso crossed from the right wing, Yakobo and Butt couldn’t get the ball but Praljia came from behind and shot it from 5 meters into the net, 1-1.
Haifa played well after the goal but later Leverkusen was better.
In the 68^th minute Sebesken crossed another ball to the box and Juan jump higher then all the players and headed the ball into the net.
Later Nueville was one on one against Awate but he stroke the ball near the bar.
12 minutes to the end Badir's shot went so close to the bar.
3 minutes in the stoppege time Israelvic had a great chance 5 meters from the goal but Butt saved it instinctively.

Next week Haifa host Manchester United at Nicosia while Leverkusen wants revenge against Olympiakos.

Leverkusen: Butt 6; Sebesken 8, Lucio 6, Juan 6, Plasente 5; Ramelow 5, Schnaider 6, Basturk 6, Franca 4(Shimak 60'- 5); Babic 6, Bardaric 4(Nouville 46'- 5).
Maccabi Haifa: Awate 5; Zanu 6(Sevilia 80'), Harazi 6, Benado 6, Kessi 6; Badir 6, Zautaotas 7, Praljia 7(Israelvic 74'), Zandberg 6(Katan 74'), Ruso 7; Yakobo 2.

DiD U Know: Maccabi Tel Aviv met against Werder Bremen in Uefa cup few years ago and lost 2-0 in Germany. That was the last time an Israeli team played in Germany.

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