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Jokanovic: Maccabi Tel Aviv can beat FC Basel

August 14, 2015 13:02
How’s that: Eran Zahavi’s goal-scoring exploits have given Maccabi Tel Aviv a Euro boost ahead of next week
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FOOTBALL Slavisa Jokanovic is confident he can steer Maccabi Tel Aviv past Swiss champions FC Basel and into the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2004.

Maccabi avoided Celtic, but face a big test against the Swiss champions, who Jokanovic described as "favourites" to progress. "We can beat them if we work hard for 180 minutes," said former Watford boss Jokanovic. "It won't be an easy task, but the players have the momentum after winning in the Czech Republic."

The first leg of the play-off round takes place in Switzerland on Wednesday, with the return leg in Tel Aviv on August 25.

Maccabi will be looking to avenge last season's defeats to Basel, who beat them 4-3 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers and later 3-0 in the knockout stage of the Europa League. Maccabi have their tails up after two late away goals from Eran Zahavi helped them overcome a first leg
deficit against Viktoria Plzen in the third qualifying round.

Beitar Jerusalem defender Eli Dasa and midfielder Shlomi Azulay joined Maccabi this week, but Dasa will not be in action against Basel because of a previous two-match suspension received while playing at Beitar.