Maccabi's Nigerian striker Lanre Kehinde scored the only goal against Hapoel Rishon Lezion in the team's last pre-season friendly before Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against FC Gyori in Hungary
After three pre-season friendlies during their Austrian training camp, and one against Ashdod FC earlier in the week, Maccabi Tel Aviv finished their last test before their Champions League qualifier against Hungarian side FC Gyori with a 1-0 victory over Hapoel Rishon Lezion from Israel's second tier. In the first half of play at Maccabi's Kiryat Shalom training ground, the reigning "Winner" League champions dominated play but failed to convert a number of excellent opportunities. Maccabi striker Barak Yitschaki had two chances in front of Hapoel Rishon's goal, and striker Tal Ben Haim and midfielder Dan Einbinder both tried their luck, but all to no avail.
After the restart, Maccabi head coach Paulo Sousa made a number of substitutions, and with less than ten minutes gone in the second half one of them, Nigerian striker Lanre Kehinde, scored the goal that determined the outcome of the match. A handsome build-up by Ben Haim resulted in a shot that hit the woodwork. Kehinde jumped on the deflection and scored from close range. Defender Yoav Ziv, also a second half substitute, sustained a head injury requiring five stitches.
Maccabi Tel Aviv's next match will be their first official match of the 2013/2014 season, a second round Champion's League qualifier against Hungarian champions FC Gyori to be played next Wednesday July 17th in Hungary. The match will be broadcast on the Israeli sports television channel ONE starting at 9.30pm. Tickets for the match will be available directly at the Giori ETO Park Stadium or, alternatively, can be ordered through the "Leann" ticket agency for later collection at the stadium. The local ticket offices will be open for Maccabi supporters at 6.30pm local time and can be found at the car park behind the terrace designated for Maccabi fans.
