Lugansk "Zorya" lost to Israeli "Maccabi" from Tel Aviv in the fourth round of the group stage of the Conference League.

The black-and-whites started their journey in the group with a draw against Gent (1:1) and a victory over "Braedablik" (1:0). The away match of "Zorya" against "Maccabi" in the third round was rescheduled to November 25 by UEFA. Today, the Ukrainian team hosted the Israelis in Lublin, Poland.

The guests went ahead as early as the seventh minute — Lucasen scored with his head from a corner kick. "Zorya" responded with decent shots from Mitchen and Nagnoyin, which Moskera handled well. In turn, on the 26th minute, "Maccabi" doubled their lead when Perez headed in Zahavi's cross. Shortly after, Turbayevsky made a spectacular leap to deny Perez another goal.

Subsequently, Lugansk created several opportunities near the opponents' goal but Moskera held off shots from Mitchen, Antykh (three times), and Herrero. Moreover, just before halftime, the ball was in "Zorya's" net for the first time — Perez scored his second after a cross from Mills on the right flank.

At the start of the second half, players from "Maccabi" several times tested the goalkeeper but Turbayevsky was up to the task while Zahavi lacked accuracy. On the 57th minute, Mitchen sent the ball into the net, but the referee disallowed the goal for "Zorya" due to offside.

Shortly after, Gorbach scored from distance and Voloshin immediately upon entering as a substitute hit the post. On the 74th minute, Turbayevsky saved Zahavi's shot from close range, and in the counterattack Lugansk scored one goal — Kiryukhantsev passed to Alefrenko who accurately struck into the far corner.

Later, Yatsik made a great long-range effort but Moskera saved. The goalkeeper of "Maccabi" also denied Batagov's header. In stoppage time, the visitor's keeper parried shots from Alefrenko and Churko. Ultimately, "Zorya" lost for the first time in the group stage — 1:3.

Conference League. Group Stage. Group V

4th round

"Zorya" (Ukraine) — "Maccabi" T-A (Israel) — 1:3 (0:3)

Goals: Alefrenko (74) — Lucasen (7), Perez (26, 43).

"Zorya": Turbayevsky, Danchenko (c), Jordan, Batagov, Snurnytsin, Nagnoyin (Vendell, 87), Kiryukhantsev (Churko, 87), Mitchen (Voloshin, 66), Yatsik, Antykh (Alefrenko, 66), Herrero (Gorbach, 46).

Substitutes: Saputin, Bol, Aziangbe, Mishnyov, Drizhlyuk, Bugay.

Coach: Valery Krivenkov.

"Maccabi" T-A: Moskera, A. Cohen, Lucasen, Saboret, Revivo (Turgeman, 72), Perez, van Overem (Golas, 72), Kanihovskyi, Biton (Bitton, 65), Zahavi (c) (David, 90), Mills (Shahar, 90).

Substitutes: Tenenbaum, Nachmias, Y. Cohen, Ein, Davidzada, Bondozu, Mason.

Coach: Robby Keene.

Referee: John Bighton (Scotland).

Yellow cards: Snurnytsin (49) — Lucasen (56), A. Cohen (87).

November 9. Lublin. "Arena Lublin".

"Braedablik" (Iceland) — "Gent" (Belgium) — 2:3 (2:1)

Standings

3rd round

October 26, 2023

"Gent" — "Braedablik" — 5:0 (4:0)

November 25, 2023

"Maccabi" T-A — "Zorya"