Despite being the better side: Beitar Jerusalem lost 2:1 in the Conference League
Beitar Jerusalem met this evening (Thursday) with Austria Vienna for the first of two matches in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. About 1,200 fans accompanied the team to the home game in Romania. Almog Cohen started with the attacking trio of Shua, Weissman, and Atzili for the first time this season.
Beitar Jerusalem met this evening (Thursday) with Austria Vienna for the first of two matches in the third qualifying round of the Conference League. About 1,200 yellow-and-black fans accompanied the team to the home game in Romania. Almog Cohen started with the attacking trio of Shua, Weissman, and Atzili for the first time this season.
In the 8th minute, Antwi broke through the wing, entered the box, and delivered a perfect ball to Weissman. The striker shot excellently, but the Austrian goalkeeper stretched to stop the ball; it was an excellent first chance for Beitar in a match where they were attacking and initiating.
In the 10th minute, despite a great start by Beitar Jerusalem, Austria Vienna took advantage of a mistake by Krabaly, whose misplaced pass led to an Austrian counterattack. The striker found himself one-on-one against Silva, but rolled the ball centimeters wide of the post.
In the 13th minute, Shua passed to Noam Mucha, who found himself free and shot from 16 meters, but the ball went wide. In the 14th minute, Daniel Worku, who celebrated his 22nd birthday last night, drew a yellow card and a free kick near the corner flag.
Beitar Jerusalem took the lead in the 19th minute with a goal by Noam Mucha. A deep ball was sent towards Shon Weissman, who found himself in front of the goalkeeper; the striker shot well, the keeper parried, and Mucha tapped into an empty net. Although there was a suspicion of offside, the goal was confirmed by the referee and VAR.
Beitar went to the break with a sense of missed opportunity after dominating the first half, but as the minutes passed, the team became more tired and the Austrians punished them.
At the start of the second half, Austria Vienna had a goal disallowed for offside. The Jerusalemites did not start the second half well, showing defensive slackness.
In the 55th minute, Austria Vienna caught the Beitar defense exposed again. In the same move, Gil Cohen was injured and replaced by Luka Gadrani.
A minute later, an excellent opportunity for Omer Atzili to restore the lead. The winger shot to the far corner, missing the target by centimeters.
In the 70th minute, Austria Vienna completed the comeback; the young Salic turned on Antwi and shot into the corner, beating Silva. In the 82nd minute, Tomer Yosefi came on for his debut for Beitar.
In the 88th minute, an excellent corner by Yosefi met the head of Yarden Cohen, but the ball went out—a great chance for Beitar to equalize.
Austria Vienna managed to overshadow Beitar in the second half, winning the first of two matches. The Austrians gain a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg next week in Vienna. Almog Cohen and his players will look to stage a comeback.
