Steaua Bucharest dented Maccabi Haifa’s Europa League qualification hopes with a 4-2 victory in Group J.
Strikes from Leandro Tatu and Florin Costea put Steaua 2-0 up after 28 minutes but Haifa hit back with Eyal Meshumar and Yaniv Katan hauling them level five minutes before the break.
The match took a dramatic twist with Costea was sent off for a challenge on Katan after 61 minutes but the Israelis failed to capitalise with a brace from Cristian Tanese earning the home side their first victory in the group phase to move within a point of Haifa.
Maccabi’s next match is against AEK Larnaca on December 1.
Maccabi: Davidovitch, Falach, Buljat, Yahaya (sub: Tugerman 68), Boccoli (sub: Dvashvili 37), Vered (sub: Yampolsky 33), Twatha, Amasha, Golarsa, Katan, Meshumar. Subs not used: Saranov, Dgani, Cohen, Azriel
Booked: Golarsa 69, Amasha 89
Goals: Meshumar 36, Katan 40
Group J table
1. Schalke O4 Pl. 4, Pts. 8
2. Maccabi Haifa Pl. 4, Pts. 6
3. Steaua Bucharest Pl. 4, Pts. 5
4. AEK Larnaca Pl. 4, Pts. 2
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