A deadly double from Yoav Kestenbaum earned Team Maccabi GB their first win at the 14th EMG as they maintained their unbeaten start with a 4-1 demolition of Italy.
July 29, 2015 19:23EUROPEAN MACCABI GAMES - OPEN FOOTBALL
GB 4 ITALY 1
A deadly double from Yoav Kestenbaum earned Team Maccabi GB their first win at the 14th EMG as they maintained their unbeaten start with a 4-1 demolition of Italy.
Having drawn 2-2 against France yesterday, the defending champions got off to the worst possible start when Italy forged ahead inside the first couple of minutes as keeper Ross Weinrabe was beaten by a free-kick that curled in off the post.
GB struggled to get out of first gear in the first 45, although the industrious Louie Basso was denied by the stanchion after a beautifully flighted chip that the Italian keeper could only admire. However, the Manchester Maccabi magician levelled the scores five minutes into the second half with a superb diving header.
The holders were in the ascendency just a minute later as Kestenbaum finished a flowing move by showing great composure to drill a low shot past the keeper.
GB were in dreamland 20 minutes later when Wingate & Finchley’s Joe Sharpe curled a delicious inswinging corner straight into the goal. In fact he was so confident he told my photographer before connecting.
Italy became more desperate as the match wore on, although it needed an excellent tackle from the impressive Sharpe to deny them a goal-scoring opportunity on the break.
But the final word went to Kestenbaum who tapped home from close range to spark wild celebrations.
Italy's misery was compounded by two late cards as GB finished all smiles.
GB boss Jonny Rose said: “We started slowly again but I felt the changes at half-time helped and we started to get the ball down and play our football. We did what we’re good at, played it short and it was plain sailing after the two quickfire goals.”
Commenting on Italy's indiscipline, Rose said: “It surprised me. The wheels really fell off for them at the end, they lost their heads."
Ahead of Friday’s final group game against Switzerland, Rose said: “Everyone in the squad has had some game-time so there’s no pressure to select particular players. We made seven changes to the line-up and you can see we have a strong squad.
"I thought Joe Sharpe was outstanding, while Max Rose held the ball up well in attack. Yoav also impressed me, he has a great strike record."
France beat Switzerland 5-0 in the day's other game meaning GB must claim a two-goal swing in their last match or else Germany will be their likely opponents in the last four.
"We’re going into the Switzerland game to win and to score goals," said Rose.
GB: Ross Weinrabe, Joe Cohen, Joe Sharpe, Ashley Loofe, Mark Bell (capt), Rob Cohen, Louie Basso, Dovi Fehler, Josh Goldstein, Alex Davis, Max Rose. Subs (all came on): Rinsler, Kestenbaum, Spitzer, Moss, Engleman, Nathan, Gilman
Full coverage in Friday's JC
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