Uefa Champions League third qualifying round first leg
Hapoel Kiryat Shmona 4
Neftci 0

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona moved to within touching distance of the Champions League play-offs following a thumping victory in the first leg of their third round qualifying tie against Neftci of Azerbaijan.

Bryan Gerzicich scored twice in the space of six minutes midway through the second half to leave the Israeli champions in pole position ahead of next week’s second leg.

Gil Landau’s men grabbed a 42nd minute lead thanks to Barak Badash’s penalty, before Shimon Abihazira added a second seven minutes after the interval.

American midfielder Gerzicich then wrapped up the tie with two neatly taken finishes to leave Hapoel overwhelming favourites to make the play-offs.