Assists by Eran Zahavi and Tal Ben Chaim helped Israel take all three points in Andorra
After beating Cyprus last Friday, the Israel national side yesterday picked up their second straight Euro 2016 campaign victory with a 1-4 win away at Andorra. Concerns prior to the match about the local artificial pitch proved unwarranted as the Israeli side performed their assignment well and made it six points out of six in their first two Group B qualifiers. For the Maccabi Tel Aviv players this was déjà vu all over again, after having played Champions League qualifiers last summer in both Cyprus and Andorra, albeit at different venues. So far in the Euro campaign Maccabi players have booked a total of 683 minutes on the pitch, with one goal and three assists.
Head coach Eli Gutman's squad knew very well there was no room for error against the lowest-ranked side in their group, and with just three minutes gone they were already a goal to the good. Maccabi's Eran Zahavi pounced on a ball at midfield and crossed out wide to Omer Damari who scored to the far post. After Andorra equalised on the quarter hour through a penalty by captain Ildefons Lima, Israel retook the lead four minutes from the break after Maccabi's in-form Tal Ben Chaim broke down the right and crossed into the area for Damari to tap in his, and his team's, second. Eight minutes from time Gutman's side put the match to bed after Damari completed his hat-trick and on the last play of the match Tomer Hemed scored a penalty to seal the 1-4 win.
Next up are Bosnia, who will arrive in Israel on the 16th of November.
Maccabi stats so far:
Eytan Tibi (defence) – 180 minutes
Tal Ben Chaim (forward) – 163 minutes, one goal and two assists
Eran Zahavi (midfield) – 160 minutes, one assist
Sheran Yeini (defence) – 90 minutes
Omri Ben Harush (defence) – 90 minutes
