Celtic lost their lead as Hapoel fought back with a deserved win in the opener in Israel with their Europa League Group C match.
After a slow start, Georgios Samaras gave Celtic the lead on 25 minutes with a well-taken low shot. Celtic looked settled following the opener, putting passes together and slowing the match down. Artur Boruc keep the lead thanks some good saves after the Hapoel attackers had split the Scots’ defence.
Late into the second half, Hapoel’s winger Samuel Yeboah knocked a weak ball across goal into the path of Vucecevic, and the Serb struck the ball into the roof of the goal from close range. Towards the end of the game, Celtic survived a number of defensive scares and Hapoel looked the more likely side to claim victory. Shortly before time, Lala streamed into the six yard box to place Vermuth’s pass into Boruc’s net for a well earned victory.
Agonising Celtic fans were left with a sour taste in the mouth as their Glasgow based club were leading the for most the game but a sloppy late second half cost them the points on the night.
25′ 0-1 Georgios Samaras [Celtic]
75′ 1-1 Nemanja Vucicevic [Hapoel Tel Aviv]
88′ 2-1 Maaran Lala [Hapoel Tel Aviv]
