Haifa catch breath after Aktobe drama

Maccabi Haifa FC coach Elisha Levi said his side's collective pulse was "finally making its way back down to normal" after they came back from 3-0 down to knock FK Aktobe out of the UEFA Champions League.

Stunning turnaround
Having drawn the first leg 0-0 in Kazakhstan, the Israeli side looked well placed to progress as their third qualifying round tie concluded at their Kiryat Eliazir home on Tuesday. However, they were sent reeling as their guests scored three goals in the first 15 minutes of the game, only for Yaniv Katan and Eyal Golsa to strike back before two Vladimer Dvalishvili strikes after the break won the tie.

'Such a drama'
"Our pulse is finally making its way back down to normal," said the 51-year-old Levi, the one-time Haifa player who led his old side to the Israeli title in his first season in charge last term. "I can't remember such drama in the past involving an Israeli team in Europe. We had a poor start especially in defence, but I am glad we managed to steady the side.

Improbable scenario
"After we scored our first goal, we saw that the match was still alive and I am delighted we managed to achieve a great victory for this club," he added. "We did our homework and prepared for them, but we didn't start very well. You can't plan for every eventuality, but we certainly didn't prepare to concede an early goal which was followed by another two."

'In the air'
Golsa, who came on as a substitute midway through the first half and scored the second goal, was flabbergasted. "It was an amazing team effort as its not easy to come back from a three-goal deficit," said the 17-year-old. "When I was asked to warm up, it was hard to believe such a comeback was possible but after Yaniv Katan scored the first, you could sense it in the air."

'I am an animal'
Newly signed Georgian striker Dvalishvili was the star of the show on his home debut, with a headed goal and a strike from the edge of the area. He said: "I feel at home at this club and I am very satisfied. Now that we have won this match we can now go home and get some sleep. I am a striker, I am an animal and intend to score in every match"

'A coaches' heart attack'
Meanwhile, Aktobe coach Vladimir Mukhanov will look to lift his side as they seek a second chance of group-stage football in the UEFA Europa League play-offs. "We call matches like these 'a coaches' heart attack'," he said. "We scored three and sat back which meant that we got tired. Haifa's players are a lot more experienced than us and it showed."