Raanana continued their fine run of form with a convincing victory over Real in Jerusalem on Saturday night.
November 24, 2014 15:08SPORTS DIRECT OLIM LEAGUE
REAL ATHLETICO JERUSALEM 4 RAANANA 6
Raanana continued their fine run of form with a convincing victory over Real in Jerusalem on Saturday night.
The margin of victory does not really giving a true reflection of Raananas superiority, however, with Real clawing their way back into the game at crucial points were Raanana were made to work hard for the three points.
Raanana started off quickly and took the lead after just four minutes. A fine run from midfield created space with the ball played to Aviad Ben Meir on the edge of the box. He beat his man before unleashing an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box hat flew into the top left-hand corner.
Just as it seemed Raanana may pull away, Real brought themselves back into the game out of nowhere. Content to play the long ball and use their large height advantage, a long clearance from the keeper was met by a flick on by the striker. The ball was pulled back from the byline and dispatched beyond the despairing dive of Sapir Marom who had no chance.
Raanana refused to be rattled and created chance after chance twice hitting the post. In particular a fine move ended with Zeev Landsman crossing the ball in which was met by Haim Elimelech who hit a fabulous first time volley that was acrobatically turned away by the keeper.
Eventually the pressure told and Aviad was the first to react after the goalkeeper could only parry a shot from Haim Elimelech to make it 2-1.
Raanana however had not learnt from earlier in the game. After 40 minutes a failure to clear the ball resulted in the ball dropping to Jacky Duek<?b> on the edge of the box. He hit a fine drive into the bottom corner bringing the scored level which stayed the same until half-time.
Five minutes into the second half Raanana won a free-kick 30 yards from goal after a crude tackle from behind which surprisingly did not bring a card from the referee who struggled to get to grips with the game. Nafatli Kanichowsky hit a ferocious drive that was pushed on to the bar. Aviad was first to react somehow having the time to take a touch and juggle with the ball before smashing it home.
Raanana were denied a stonewall penalty soon after as the striker was taken out by the defender when through on goal.
The scoreline quickly increased to 4-2 as Aviad was the beneficiary of a fine move which saw the ball pulled back to him for a simple tap-in. Soon after his striker partner, Gabi Kanichowsky got on the scoresheet after a superb piece of closing down enabled him to go through on goal and he supplied an assured finish.
At this stage it appeared like Rannana would run away with the game. A superb ball through saw Aviad through on goal only to be pulled back incorrectly for off-side.
Real pulled a goal back agaionst the run of play as sloppy play in midfield saw Raanana lose the ball. Tomer Amos placed the ball into the corner from outside the area.
Suddenly Raanana looke a little nervouse and another goal for the hosts at this stage would have made for a nervy end with 25 minutes still to play.
However, Aviad then added another goal with ten minutes remaining with a composed finish on the half volley from a tight angle to make it 6-3. He was then denied his sixth of the game after he had beautifully lobbed the goally when the referee pulled the game back for a foul much to the disbelief of all watching.
Real completed the scoring with an excellent header from a free-kick by Meni Dueck with the last kick of the game.
Raanana co manager Avi Wesienberg said: "We told the boys at half-time to keep the ball on the floor. They executed perfectly and we came out on top.
"We are delighted to have come away from the last two weeks where we have played two hard games away in Jerusalem with a win and a draw. It sets us up nicely for the rest of the season."