Omanghana
Ghanaian forward Emmanuel Boateng scored twice as Hapoel Tel Aviv secured a 2-2 draw against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad to eliminate the Bulgarian champions from the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
Thursday night’s result gave the Israeli club a 4-2 aggregate victory and secured their place in the third qualifying round of the European competition.
Boateng opened the scoring in the 16th minute after taking advantage of a defensive mistake by Ludogorets. The early goal extended Hapoel Tel Aviv’s aggregate advantage and placed further pressure on the home side.
Ludogorets had an opportunity to respond from the penalty spot, but Kwadwo Duah failed to convert. Bernard Tekpetey later found the net, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside before halftime.
The Bulgarian champions returned from the break with renewed intensity and equalized in the 47th minute through Tekpetey.
Alberto Salido completed the hosts’ turnaround seven minutes later, scoring to give Ludogorets a 2-1 lead on the night and briefly restore hopes of an aggregate comeback.
Boateng, however, delivered the decisive response in the 58th minute. The Ghanaian striker finished from close range to make it 2-2 and restore Hapoel Tel Aviv’s two-goal aggregate advantage.
Ludogorets continued searching for the additional goals required to keep their European campaign alive, but Hapoel protected their first-leg lead and completed a 4-2 aggregate triumph.
The elimination represents a major setback for Ludogorets, who will miss the main phase of a European competition for the first time in a decade.
Boateng’s match-winning contribution further highlighted his importance to Hapoel Tel Aviv, with his two goals ultimately ending Ludogorets’ hopes of advancing.
Hapoel Tel Aviv will now face Polish side GKS Katowice in the third qualifying round. The next tie is scheduled to begin on August 6, with a place in the Conference League playoff round at stake.
Source: Omanghana
