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Macc put the knife in Glens
Thursday, 23 July 2009
UEFA Champions League Preliminary Round two, 2nd leg between Glentoran vs Maccabi Haifa at The Oval
Glentoran succumbed to their highest ever aggregate defeat in the European Cup last night as they went down 4-0 to Israelis Maccabi Haifa at the Oval — 10-0 over the two legs.
Not since 1992, 8-0 reversal to mighty Marseille — who went on to beat AC Milan in the final that year — have the east Belfast men suffered such a mauling in club football’s top tournament but in reality, no one could have expected anything else.
Maccabi shouldn’t be anywhere near this qualifying stage of the competition, such are their resources, bearing in mind they have a £10million wage budget.
The Israeli visitors were too quick, too skillful, too fit and just too good for the Glens who though they battled as best they could, were never going to give their opponents any problems.
Alan McDonald made just one change to the starting line-up from last week’s tie in Haifa with experienced defender Colin Nixon making way for Shane McCabe, who was suspended for the first leg, to come into the side — Sean Ward moving into the right back spot.
And unsurprisingly it was that backline who would find themselves having the busier night in the opening stages as Haifa — having to suffer the wet weather of east Belfast rather than the sunny Middle East — hoping to get this particular leg wrapped up early on.
They almost did just that after three minutes when striker Vladimr Dvalishvili turned well on the edge of the box and fired a shot at goal which had Elliott Morris scrambling, but went just wide.
The opening goal didn’t take too long to arrive though and on nine minutes the visitors took the lead when a long ball from the back was latched onto by Yero Bello. Morris hesitated before eventually deciding to come out and Bello rounded the keeper before slotting home with Johnny Taylor just unable to stop it.
Glentoran didn’t let their heads drop and tried best they could to press forward but the well-drilled and supremely fit Israelis were letting precious little past them.
Most of the play was taking place up the other end and it was impressive to watch how quickly Maccabi broke forward and in the sheer numbers in which they did it.
Glentoran were dealt a further blow just after the half hour when Paul Leeman went off clutching his knee and was replaced by Nixon, with Ward moving back into the middle.
Nine minutes after the break the lead was doubled and again, with ease. Peter Masilela broke down the left and sent a dangerous ball across the face of goal which just eluded Taylor and Bello bundled home his second.
The way they knocked the ball through the Glens showed Maccabi could almost score at will and that was evident on 63 minutes for the third goal.
Good build up play around the Glens penalty area saw Masilela eventually get the ball eight yards from goal and after Morris made a brilliant save the big forward buried the rebound.
Ironically that third goal kicked off a period of Glentoran pressure and although goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch was rarely troubled, the local champions were at least seeing some of the ball in the final third.
And having kept up that momentum, Davidovitch was finally called into action in the 84th minute when after some neat passing, Gary Hamilton sent a looping shot goalward from 20 yards which the keeper was forced to tip over.
Richard Clarke then sent his shot from a similar area just over from the resulting corner.
But in the final minute the scoring was complete when Beram Kayal forced another good save from Morris but substitute Slomi Arbaitman followed up to blast home the fourth.
And so it’s another year, another handsome defeat for our Irish League champions.
Makes you wonder whether it’s all worthwhile.
GLENTORAN: Morris, Ward, Johnny Taylor, Ward, Black (Gardiner 62), Leeman (Nixon 31), Clarke, McCabe, Fordyce, Hamilton, Waterworth (Halliday 67). Subs: James Taylor (GK), Fitzgerald, Hall, Southam.
MACCABI HAIFA: Davidovitch, Teixeira, Jairo (Boccoli 46), Dvalishvili, Bello (Arbaitman 65), Golasa (Ghadir 56), Masilela, Keinan, Kayal, Refaelov, Meshumar. Subs: Edri (GK), Harazi, Maymon, Zaguri.
Referee: Espen Burnsten (Norway).
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Derry City are now officially the best team in the six counties and well done to St Pats Athletic as well.
Well done City. Now ahy don't the likes of Newry, Cliftonville and Donegal Celtic join Derry in a proper league
Posted by Tony | 25.07.09, 14:22 GMT
Tony states:
'Surely now those who advocate pumping millions for new stadia for Irish League football in both East and South Belfast should catch themselves on. The product is dire and always will be. Invest this money in rugby and GAA and other sports which are producing top class performers'
The national stadium debate as regards football requirements centres around satisfying demand to see the N.Ireland football team, not Irish league teams. This is the same team that has not been beaten in Belfast in a competitive friendly for nearly four years and is currently ahead of the ROI in the FIFA rankings.
Posted by bhamilton | 25.07.09, 11:08 GMT
It's great all you armchair supporters of the English premier league criticising the Irish League from the comfort of your sofa whilst being a diehard Sky sports Man United fan.
Typical fans who've probably never been to an English premier league ground, but who confess to be diehard supporters.
Stick to watching Sky.
Posted by markgfc | 24.07.09, 15:20 GMT
Well said Rob, Irish League teams should just all fold now, they are a joke. Pulling out of Europe is a good idea except this season Glentoran had more right to be in that competition than Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or Celtic.
Posted by Paul | 24.07.09, 12:42 GMT
Maccabi Haifa's total budget is £5million and not 10. Of course they are professionals and some even get paid £100K a year. Just wanted to clarify this point - its not a £10million club.
As an outsider i agree with the suggestion that the Belfast teams play in the Republic of Ireland league. Thats the only way the football can go forward and improve.
See you in August 12 we have an internaional friendly N.Ireland vs. Israel, this time the match between us will be more competative.
Posted by Yair, Tel Aviv | 23.07.09, 20:03 GMT
Well done to every Glen man and woman you stood and clapped both teams off at the end. While the game was not great it rose above religious and political nonsense. It was hard for the Glens to start so far behind but the end result was a win for sport in Northern Ireland the club made the Israeli team and support very welcome well done to all involved at whatever level.
Posted by Terry (Blueman) | 23.07.09, 19:58 GMT
ive monitored european results for n.ireland football teams for twenty years..its always the same, (hung out to dry)..glentoran/linfield/lisburn dist etc...they shouldnt be allowed to play in the competition, just not in the same class as teams we havent even heard of from some back wood place in europe but who are bout twenty leagues superior to n.ireland teams...how can glens etc keep talking each year bout being in europe, its a complete joke, excuses bout heat and everything else why they do so bad......these teams should be banned or opposition refuse to play them....its totallying embarrassing....pack european footy in and concentrate on micky mouse premier league here in n.ireland..
Posted by rob | 23.07.09, 18:27 GMT
Belfast Telegraph giving decent coverage to local football story? Well I've seen it all now.
Posted by Peter Grant | 23.07.09, 17:16 GMT
tony , nobody respects either you nor your comments on this webste, it is a shock how such bigotry and republican propaganda can be allowed to be displayed on a news/ newspaper's website.
waken up to yourself
Posted by Roo | 23.07.09, 16:41 GMT
surely its time fifa woke up to give these teams a slight hope by zoning the teams to the uk and r.o.i,and stop this nonsense of playing teams in the middle of nowhere with some teams already playing league matches and have a head start in terms of fitness.COME ON IFA SUPPORT YOUR LEAGUE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND STOP THIS NONSENSE
Posted by robert | 23.07.09, 16:08 GMT
Well judging by the results of Linfield/IFA and Glentoran in Europe, little or no skill is required in Irish League football
Posted by Tony | 23.07.09, 16:00 GMT
tony -
GAA is just a sport for people that dont have enough skill to kick a ball and isnt even professional, same as rugby although it is professional, but still requires no skill.
Posted by Roo | 23.07.09, 15:45 GMT
Surely now those who advocate pumping millions for new stadia for Irish League football in both East and South Belfast should catch themselves on.
The product is dire and always will be.
Invest this money in rugby and GAA and other sports which are producing top class performers
Posted by Tony | 23.07.09, 12:34 GMT
I think now it the time for an all ireland league, the pathetic performance of Glentoran and Linfield in Europe just highlights further the weakness of the league. Compare this to the Eircom league teams in Europe who are all competitive at least. Maybe if glens, linfield and cliftonville were playing decent competition such as cork, bohs, shams and derry week in week out it might convince them to actually improve. As it is they are living in cuckoo land playing pathetic teams that when they hammer they convince themselves that they themselves are actually good teams.
Posted by Paul | 23.07.09, 11:17 GMT
Its time for a Summer League so at least the Irish League players have had some competitive game time before the European games begin...
Posted by Just Ask Sammy Clingan | 23.07.09, 10:24 GMT
Thanks mates for the great hospitality!! Belfast is very cool and we enjoyed spending time there.
Better luck next time!
Cheers!
Posted by Amit | 23.07.09, 08:40 GMT
lets all laugh at glentoran ha ha ha! linfield til i die ftg
Posted by geordie | 23.07.09, 07:06 GMT
props for glentoran for their efforts from israel, good luck next year
Posted by danny | 23.07.09, 00:31 GMT