Five Maccabi Tel Aviv players opened for Israel in their 4-2 win against Honduras, with Eran Zahavi and Tal Ben Haim on the scoresheet
Early this morning Israeli time, the national team beat Honduras 4-2 at the BBVA Stadium in the American city of Houston in their second international friendly in four days. In addition to defenders Omri Ben Harush and Sheran Yeini and midfielder Eran Zahavi, who also opened for Israel in their defeat at the hands of Mexico on Thursday, defender Eytan Tibi and winger Tal Ben Haim joined a group of five Maccabi Tel Aviv players who were on the Israel first eleven. Ten minutes before the end of the first half, two of them were involved in the national side's first goal. MTA captain Sheran Yeini was provider as he found Eran Zahavi in space 20 yards out and the star midfielder struck his second goal in national kit past the Honduran keeper into the far corner of the net.
After Honduras drew level at the beginning of the second half, Tal Ben Haim, who came on as a substitute against Mexico, helped restore Israel's advantage. Seven minutes after the restart he received a pass out on the left and after escaping his marker saw his right-footed shot on goal careen off a Honduran defender into the net. Additional goals by Hapoel Tel Aviv players Omer Damari and Gili Vermouth and a late goal for Honduras settled the score at 4-2. Two of the Maccabi participants, defenders Eytan Tibi in his 16th cap for Israel and Omri Ben Harush in his 6th, played the full 90 minutes. Sheran Yeini, playing his 10th match for the national side, left the pitch ten minutes before the end. Tal Ben Haim, in his seventh national appearance, was substituted 20 minutes from time and Eran Zahavi finished his 20th cap for Israel just before the hour mark.
*Photograph courtesy of the Israel Football Association Facebook page
