The usual humid summer heat of Bloomfield Stadium welcomed Cypriot side AEK Larnaca for the second leg of their Conference League third qualifying round tie against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Last Thursday in Larnaca, the teams finished battled to a 1-1 draw that ultimately could have gone either way.
On one hand, Maccabi’s poor finishing has left them disappointed they were unable to take control of the tie.
On the other, AEK’s Ivan Trickovski missed a late penalty, which was denied by Daniel Peretz.
Speaking of Peretz, his great form in recent months has reportedly caught the attention of German giants Bayern Munich, who are thought to be eyeing up a move for the young Israeli keeper.
Whilst he was warming up on the pitch, the home fans made it clear they want him to stay.
🚨 Surely one of the biggest transfers in the Israeli football
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) August 18, 2023
🧤 🇮🇱Daniel Peretz (23) is set to sign with 🇩🇪Bayern Munich
💰 Transfer fee around €5-6m
✍️ Contract until 2027
📸 @shaulig pic.twitter.com/UkkhacoRj3
The energy in the stands was contagious, as Maccabi started brightly.
After ten minutes or so, however, AEK started to look more comfortable, and slowed the tempo down.
Both sides went into the break at 0-0, and could feel optimistic about their chances of snatching a winner.
Maccabi grew more and more frustrated, but then they started turning up the heat.
Just after the hour mark, Eran Zahavi brilliantly set up Dor Peretz for a one-on-one against Larnaca keeper Kenan Piric, who saved the shot.
Two minutes later, Zahavi found himself in a good position outside the box himself, but his shot hit the post.
The Maccabi faithful were ready to explode, but it wasn't to be.
With 10 minutes to go, the Cypriots had a near perfect counter attack, but Rafael Lopes’ touch went just wide of the post.
The ball had seemingly appeared to strike Joris Van Overeem’s hand in the build up.
From the ensuing corner, another scramble led to a Hrovje Milicevic close range tap in, but the linesman ruled that the Croatian was offside.
Five minutes later, Maccabi were awarded a penalty, after substitute Felicio Milson was brought down in the box.
Eran Zahavi slotted the spot kick home, 1-0 to the hosts.
An incredible turn of events, and the Cypriots should definitely consider themselves unlucky.
The difference in the two legs turned out to be from the penalty spot - Maccabi converted theirs, AEK did not.
For Maccabi, it was their first victory over a Cypriot side, after four draws and one loss.
AEK, who had a long European campaign last season which ended in March at the hands of West Ham United, will go home in mid August.
In the next round, Robbie Keane’s men face Celje from Slovenia, hosting the first game at Bloomfield next Thursday.
Edited by Alex Smith
Thumbnail photo by Shaul Greenfeld
🇮🇱More photos from Maccabi Tel-Aviv's qualification for the #UECL playoffs
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) August 18, 2023
📸 @shaulig pic.twitter.com/OYIKivnWv6
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