Anderlecht beat Hapoel Tel-Aviv 2-0

Anderlecht had little trouble defeating Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the opening game of the UEFA Cup group phase. Nicolas Frutos showed his importance with two goals. In the same group Getafe won from Tottenham Hotspur.


Hapoel Tel-Aviv were eager to claim the position of the underdog before the match. However, on the pitch they were the equal of the home team. It proved to be a poor first half in which the only danger came from a couple of uninspired long-distance shots. Anderlecht did not succeed in dominating on their home pitch. The Mauves ball circulation was too slow to threaten the Israeli defense.

The first goal came out of the blue. Lucas Biglia's shot from 30 yards came off the crossbar. Hassan effort on the rebound was saved by Enyeama but the Nigerian goalkeeper could not stop Nicolas Frutos from knocking the ball in.

The second half continued in the same manner. It took 15 minutes before Anderlecht started pushing on. Hassan had an effort andd goal and Legear showed his potential with a couple of dangerous crosses, of which one was headed just wide by Frutos.

The same agents were involved in the second goal. Biglia's free kick was headed past Enyeama by his fellow countryman Frutos. A comforting lead for the home team and its fans. A minute later, however, Tel-Aviv almost scored the goal that would've made it 2-1 but Nsumbu's effort was blocked by Wasilewski.

Anderlecht easily controlled the remained of the game. The home team certainly did not impress tonight but did succeed in winning three important points.

Score: 2-0
Goal(s): 37' Frutos 1-0, 73' Frutos 2-0

Anderlecht:Zitka, Wasilewski, Pareja, Juhasz, Deschacht, Biglia, Polak, Hassan, Legear (86' Théréau), Goor (72' Van Damme), Frutos (89' De Man)
Hapoel Tel-Aviv:Enyeama, Dos Santos, Manzor, Duani, Antebi, Natcho, Badir (72' Abedi), N'Sombo, Oved (54' Srur), Afulin (65' Sabag), Fabio Junior

Yellow cards: /
Red cards: /

Referee: Tudor (Rom)
Stadium: Constant Vanden Stock