2–1! A strong second half rewarded the courageous Violets

Beitar Jerusalem had the upper hand in the first half, taking the lead through Noam Muche in the 19th minute. The young Violets – the average age of the starting eleven was 23.5 years – remained undeterred and turned the game around. Vasilije Marković equalised shortly before half-time, whilst Sanel Šaljić put his side in an excellent position for next Thursday’s second leg in Vienna with his superb goal to make it 2–1 in the 70th minute.

Stephan Helm made changes to seven positions in the starting line-up for the match in Romania. Johannes Eggestein remained in Vienna as he was carrying a slight knock, whilst Aleksandar Dragović started on the bench. Compared to the match in Wolfsberg, Kang Hee Lee and Taeseok Lee, Reinhold Ranftl, Florian Wustinger, Moritz Wels and Sanel Šaljić were also left out. Johannes Handl started in central defence, whilst the midfield comprised Daniel Nnodim, Vasilije Marković, Philipp Maybach and Matteo Schablas. Alongside captain Manfred Fischer, Kelvin Boateng and Julian Hettwer started up front.

Beitar Jerusalem narrowly beat AEK Larnaca in the second round. Manager Almog Cohen made just one change to his team: alongside Shon Weissman, who is well known in Austria, Yarden Shua started up front in place of Johnbosco Samuel Kalu.

Beitar took the lead, Marković struck back

In a lively opening phase, Beitar had the first clear-cut chance, but Samuel Şahin-Radlinger prevented an early deficit with a superb save against Weissman (9’). At the other end, Manfred Fischer sent the pacy Julian Hettwer through on goal; the German rounded goalkeeper Silva but narrowly missed the target (10'). In the 13th minute, Noam Muche fired just wide of the goal; shortly afterwards, the 23-year-old Israeli scored following a fine move to give the Jerusalem side a 1–0 lead (19').

Şahin-Radlinger saved a shot from Yarden Shua (29'), whilst a deflected effort from Atzili went narrowly wide (38th minute). Austria tried to get behind the Israeli defence with long balls, but this rarely succeeded in the first half.

Shortly before the half-time whistle, however, the numerous Austria fans who had travelled with the team were given cause to celebrate: Vasilije Marković took a chance and scored with a powerful shot from the edge of the box to level the score at 1–1!

Outstanding second half, Šaljić scored to make it 2–1

Stephan Helm made two changes at half-time, bringing on Reinhold Ranftl and Florian Wustinger for Ibrahim Buhari and Philipp Maybach, with the Violets switching to a back four. Austria started the second half well, but a goal by Manfred Fischer was disallowed due to a hair’s-breadth offside by the provider, Hettwer (50th minute). Following a long ball to Hettwer, Fischer had another shot on goal but fired over (53’). Another fine move involving Daniel Nnodim ended with Kelvin Boateng, who failed to hit the target (55’). Beitar had a chance through Atzili (58’), whilst for Austria, Hettwer failed to connect with a cross from Nnodim (62’).

Helm then made his remaining three substitutions: Aleksandar Dragović came on for Joe Handl, whilst Sanel Šaljić and Moritz Wels replaced Boateng and Hettwer. It didn’t take Šaljić long to get into the game. Following a pass from Nnodim, the 20-year-old left his marker in his wake and, turning, slotted the ball into the far corner – the game had turned on its head (70').

Moritz Wels broke through on goal twice against Silva, but was denied both times by the Israeli goalkeeper (72’, 73’). Şahin-Radlinger tipped a free-kick from Yosefi over the bar; from the resulting corner, Yarden Cohen headed just wide of the goal (87’, 88’). Beitar threw everything forward in the closing minutes, but the Violets held on to their lead and ran out deserved 2–1 winners.

Beitar Jerusalem – Austria Wien 1–2 (1–1)

Beitar: Silva; Antwi, Carabali, Gil Cohen (57’ Gadrani), Yarden Cohen; Muche, Enow, Worko (83’ Yosefi); Atzili (65’ Kalu), Weissman (57’ Muzie), Shua (65’ Ansah)

Austria: Şahin-Radlinger; Buhari (46’ Ranftl), Handl (63’ Dragović), Feddersen; Nnodim, Maybach (46’ Wustinger), Marković, Schablas; Fischer, Boateng (63’ Šaljić), Hettwer (63’ Wels)

Goals: Muche (19’); Marković (44’), Šaljić (70’)

Yellow cards: Carabali (45+3’), Enow (75’), Gadrani (79’), Kalu (90+2’); Maybach (27'), Ranftl (83'), Schablas (87')

Ilie Oană Stadium, Ploiești; referee Lawrence Visser (Belgium); 1,500 spectators