Just past the hour mark, Rade Prica broke down the Santa Coloma defence and headed in Maccabi's winning goal
Tonight Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Andorran champions FC Santa Coloma 0-1 in the first leg of their Champions League 2nd round qualifying match. The visitors dominated possession throughout but struggled to poke holes in the tightly knit home-side defence. After a goalless first half Maccabi stepped up the pace, creating two promising chances before finally making a breakthrough courtesy of a pass by team captain Sheran Yeini that was headed in by striker Rade Prica. Midfielders Eran Zahavi and Dor Micha both saw chances to double Maccabi's advantage before the final whistle but in the end it was the one important away goal that separated the two sides.
With just a few hundred spectators looking on, among them a number wearing yellow shirts, the match got underway under rainy skies. It was Maccabi's Andorran hosts who saw the first opportunity to score, with an effort from outside the area narrowly missing Maccabi keeper Juan Pablo's net. Not until the 26th minute were the visitors able to set up their first clear chance when winger Tal Ben Haim broke through into the area, but his finish went off target. Close to the half-time whistle, the team of Yeini and Prica made their first attempt to crack the Santa Coloma defence, but the Swedish striker's first effort was headed wide. At the break the match still remained goalless.
The second half commenced without any changes on either side. But the visitors demonstrated a greatly increased determination and within ten minutes Eran Zahavi had already let a golden opportunity from inside the five yard box go begging. Eight minutes later, though, the breakthrough finally came as Sheran Yeini once again found Rade Prica ahead of his marker with a cross from the right and the striker skilfully headed in at the far post, his first European goal wearing Maccabi kit. Four minutes later Eran Zahavi once again tested the Andorran keeper's resolve from outside the area, but Eloy Casals was up to the challenge.
Dor Micha subsequently had a go and substitutes Dan Einbinder, Barak Badash and Gael Magulies all made their maiden appearances this season, but at the final whistle it was the single, but vital, away goal that Maccabi will take into the return leg next week. Where that match will be played has yet to be determined.
