Maccabi Tel Aviv drew with Pyunik 0:0 in the first leg of Third Round Europa League Qualifying in Yerevan, Armenia as the decisive return leg will tale place next Thursday, August 16 at 20:30 Israel time at the Netanya Stadium.

Head Coach Vladimir Ivic’s Starting XI included keeper Predrag Rajkovic, Eli Dasa, Eitan Tibi, Jair Amador, Enric Saborit, Dan Glazer, Eyal Golasa, Dor Micha (C), Eliran Atar, Omer Atzily and Aaron Schoenfeld.

Available on the bench were keeper Haviv Ohayon, Maor Kandil, Ruslan Barsky, Sheran Yeini, Matan Hozez, Vidar Kjartansson, Chico Ofoedu.

First Half
Pyunik had the first couple of chances as Mohamed Konate’s header off Denis Voyanov’s precise cross missed the goal to the left while their second opportunity in the 5’ was caught by Rajkovic. Two minutes later, Golasa found Atar near the top of the box but the striker’s 18 meter attempt went wide right of the goal.

Atzily’s 14’ chance skied over the bar while two minutes later Glazer was issued a yellow card for a reckless foul in the midfield. Alik Arakelyan’s 19’ opportunity went wide right of the Maccabi goal as Atzily’s 26’ attempt also missed the target as the match remained goalless.

In the 28’ Atzily stole the ball and sent it to Schoenfeld who in turn passed it to Atar but his shot was blocked by the Pyunik keeper Andrija Dragojević and Saborit’s rebound chance went out. Schoenfeld almost put Maccabi on the board when he was the recipient of a smart Atzily cross from the left of the box, but the former’s header hit the bar in the 37’. Five minutes later, Pyunik made their first substitution as Albert Bogatyrev came on for Vahagn Hayrapetyan as the half ended deadlock at 0:0.

Second Half
Maxym Trusevich received a yellow card in the 48’ and there minutes later Saborit left Atar a nice ball but his attempt went off a defender and out for a corner. Amador was issued a yellow card with a reckless foul just outside of the box good for a free kick in the 56’ but the ensuing shot went off a Maccabi defender as Pyunik continued to pressure the Yellow & Blue.

Ivic made his first substitute as Ruslan Barsky entered the match for Golasa in the 60’ and six minutes later Ruslan Koryan came on for Mohamed Konate for Pyunik. In the 67’ Chico Ofoedu was introduced for Atar and Pyunik made their third substitution as Sergei Kolychev came on for Serob Grigoryan a minute later.

Glazer’s 74’ long distance attempt was tipped over the bar by the Pyunik keeper and three minutes later Ofoedu sent Barsky a brilliant pass in the box but his attempt goes over the bar. in the 83’ Atzily had a great chance to give Maccabi an away goal but his header went out while Ivic madd his last substitute inserting Vidar Kjartansson for Schoenfeld. However, the match ended after three minutes of injury time goalless as the decisive return leg will take place next Thursday, August 16th at 20:30 Israel time at the Netanya Stadium.