ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
The third week of the Israeli Anglo League took place last Saturday, where Aviv City FC journeyed south to take on the new boys Ashdod.
Ashdod, a team of young skilful French players, got off to an immediate start with a free kick that they converted for an early 1-0 advantage. Aviv City managed to respond shortly after leveling the play but this was short-lived and by half-time it was 3-1 to Ashdod.
The second half saw a lot of end-to-end action with chances and goals aplenty. A further three goals from Aviv City with co-manager Uri Schneider, debutant Daniel Rahamim, Dutch wiz-kid Raz Bauer and the team’s top scorer Roy Morik, (2), were all on the score-sheet, but Ashdod stayed resilient leading 5-4. For a while and it looked liked Aviv City would come back but it was not to be and the home team converted another two making the final score a comprehensive 7-4 victory.
This puts new boys Ashdod FC top of the table with 13 goals scored, whilst Aviv City have let in seven goals in both of their two outings and lie routed at the bottom of the table.
Aviv City manager Richard Binstock said “Fourteen goals conceded in the first two games of the history of this club is not the dream start we had all hoped for, for this club! We have to get a result next week against Jerusalem FC- so it literally is a case of ‘please g-d in Jerusalem’.”
Up north, Ra’anana hosted second place Jaffa FC.
Ra’anana came out the blocks the fastest, winning a deserved early penalty after Seth Freedman had brought down Rafi Kanichowsky in the box who took the resulting penalty and blazed it over the bar.
The game swung first in Jaffa's favour. Mexican, Elias Sandler, smashing a 30 yard free kick in off the bar. Ra’anana fought back immediately and started to dominate the play. This was rewarded with two goals in succession from Rafi and Eitan Aaronson.
Some harsh words at half time and tactical changes from Jaffa brought a change in fortunes in the second half. A swift attacking move was finished off by Eyal Hoffman early in the half. The game wore on at 2-2 with both teams searching for a winner. This came in the 80th minute for Jaffa.
Asaf Shapira picked up the ball in midfield and played a beautiful pass for Nir Hacohen to run onto and sweep low into the corner. Final score 3-2 in the end by FC Jaffa.
Next week Aviv City host Jerusalem for a crucial bottom-of-the-table 6-pointer and Modi’in go to Netanya