ĦAMRUN SPARTANS 1
Koffi 72 pen
MACCABI TEL AVIV 2
Revivo 79
Madmon 90
ĦAMRUN SPARTANS
H. Bonello, R. Compri, S. Thioune (79 M. El Fasni), J. Mbong, V. Polito (63 E. Marcelina), N. Koffi (79 S. Meijer), J. Cadjenovic, A. Coric (63 D. Simkus), Eder (88 M. Garcia), O. Bjelicic, R. Camenzuli.
MACCABI TEL AVIV
R. Mishpati, R. Revivo, M. Al Camara (82 R. Shlomo), T. Asante, W. Patati (82 I. Noy), S. Jehezkel (63 O. Davida), N. Stojic, I. Sissokho, I. Shahar (46 E. Madmon), D. Peretz, I. Nicolaescu (73 D. Tugelman).
Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia).
Yellow cards Polito, Bjelicic, Nicolaescu, Sissokho, Stojic, Marcelina
A last-gasp goal from substitute Elad Madmon handed a dramatic victory to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League third qualifying round, second leg tie at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.
It was a cruel end to a vibrant performance from the Spartans, who looked a solid bet to at least head to the second leg with a positive result in their hands.
The Malta champions managed to share the exchanges for much of Tuesday’s third qualifying round first leg tie.
In the pre-match press conference coach Giacomo Modica has asked his players to show their best version of themselves after their low-key showing against Dynamo Kiev.
And the Spartans players certainly responded with a vibrant performance that saw them create the better chances.
The Malta champions were particularly impressive in the first part of the second half as inspired by the continuous running of their forward trio of N’Dri Koffi, Saliou Thioune they pegged Maccabi into their half and creating several chances to break the stalemate.
Their efforts were rewarded when the excellent Thioune was upended inside the area, and Koffi kept his cool to put the team ahead
However, the Spartans’ hopes of a win were thwarted a few minutes later when they committed their only defensive mistake of the night which opened the way for Roy Revivo to level matters.
When it looked as though the Spartans would hold onto a draw, Maccabi struck the winner at the death through substitute Elad Madmon that puts htem in charge ahead of next week’s second leg in Serbia.
Ħamrun Spartans coach Giacomo Modica made two changes to the team that lost 3-0 against Dynamo Kiev.
Croatian new signing Ante Coric was handed his first start since his move to the Malta champions, as he was preferred to Domantas Simkus. Upfront, Saliou Thioune was given the nod to flank N’Dri Koffi at the expense of Redon Mihana.
Maccabi tried to boss the proceedings early on, but it was the Spartans who created the first chance when, from a corner taken by Thioune, Koffi headed the ball wide.
The Israeli side responded a minute later when Jehezkel was found in space but fired wide with only Bonello to beat.
The Spartans were looking more dangerous than in previous ties from set-piece situations, and on 17 minutes, Cadjenovic’s delivery was met by Eder with his header flashing just wide.
On 23 minutes, Ognjen Bjelicic came to the Spartans’ rescue as Joseph Mbong’s pass was intercepted by Wesley Patati, who saw his low drive beat goalkeeper Bonello, but the Serbian defender was on hand to clear.
Maccabi were growing in stature, but the Spartans remained well organised at the back, conceding very little to their more-quoted opponents.
Five minutes from the break, Camenzuli sped clear on the left, and his cross was met by Joseph Mbong, who headed wide.
A minute later, Mbong seized possession with Koffi feeding Thioune, who fired wide.
Just before the half-time interval, the Spartans threatened again with another quick transition that saw Koffi send a fine cross inside the area and Thioune just missed the target with a diving header.
After the break, Zarko Lazetic, the Maccabi coach, withdrew Ido Shahar and roped in the dangerous Elad Madmon.
The Spartans immediately threatened on the restart, as on 47 minutes, Eder tried to surprise Maccabi goalkeeper Roi Mishpati, but his effort just missed the upright.
On 48 minutes, Mishpati needed to be alert to push over Bjelicic’s cross-shot.
The hosts were putting Maccabi under severe pressure in search of an opener, with Rhyan Camenzuli hitting a thumping drive that finished just over.
On 51minutes, Mohammed Al Camara slipped with the ball and Mbong powered through, but his shot was somehow kept out by Mishpati.
Modica made two changes as Polito pulled out injured and was replaced by Emerson Marcelina, while Domantas Simkus replaced the tiring Coric.
Koffi came agonisingly close to giving the Spartans the lead on 67 minutes when, from a corner, the ball dropped to his feet and his volley just missed the upright.
The Spartans’ pressure was on for 71 minutes when the excellent Thione stole the ball inside the area but was upended by Camara. The referee pointed to the spot and Koffi kept his cool to drill the ball into the net to send the Spartans fans into ecstasy.
However, Ħamrun’s joy was short-lived as on 79 minutes Maccabi equalised.
From a corner action, Roy Revivo was left unmarked to fire the ball past Bonello.
Maccabi were pushing for the winner, and on 86 minutes, Dor Peretz moved into space but fired over.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Compri gave possession cheaply and Maccabi charged forward and Elad Madmon sped into space and beat the onrushing Bonello to hand Maccabi a crucial win.
