Maccabi Tel Aviv's young international striker Munas Dabbur opened for Israel's Under-21s and scored one of the goals in their 1-3 triumph over Norway. MTA goalkeeper Barak Levi and midfielder Omri Altman were also on the starting side
Three of Maccabi Tel Aviv's young stars – goalkeeper Barak Levi, midfielder Omri Altman and striker Munas Dabbur – were all in the opening line-up for Israel's young internationals as they prepared to face young Norway last night in the far north. The match, their third in group 8 of the 2014 European Championship qualifiers, opened with a lead goal in the 12th minute by midfielder Etzaz Hussain, who plays his football at Norwegian club Molde. But the young Israeli internationals got back into the match and just short of the half hour mark Maccabi striker Munas Dabbur took advantage of a mix-up in the Norwegian back line and equalised for Israel. This was his third goal in the three matches the team have played so far after his brace against Azerbaijan in their opening encounter in group 8.
Dabbur was also involved in Israel's second goal of the evening that turned the match around, after his double pass with Bnei Yehuda striker Gil Yitzhak led to the latter shooting the ball into the Norwegian net. That 1-2 advantage increased five minutes from time when another Bnei Yehuda player, midfielder Amir Agayev, sealed the 1-3 victory, handing Israel's Under-21 internationals their second victory in the current campaign. Head coach Michael Nees' young Israel side are now second in their group, trailing first-placed Portugal by three points. Two of Maccabi Tel Aviv's starters, Barak Levi and Munas Dabbur, played the full 90 minutes while Omri Altman was substituted on the hour.
Next month Israel will play host to Norway in the fourth group match of the 2014 European championship qualifiers.
