Beitar Jerusalem Faces Austria Vienna After Dramatic Win Over AEK Larnaca

Beitar Jerusalem is set to play Austria Vienna tonight at 20:30 in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. Although the match is considered a home game for Beitar, it will be held in Romania. The team, led by Almog Cohen, arrives after a dramatic victory over AEK Larnaca in the previous round. Beitar won the first leg 1-0 but faced a tough challenge in the second leg in Cyprus. Larnaca took the lead with a penalty in the 26th minute, but Beitar's Omer Atzili earned a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time, which he converted to equalize 1-1 at halftime. Larnaca regained the lead early in the second half, but Atzili scored again in the 87th minute to level the match at 2-2. A late goal by Larnaca in stoppage time made it 3-2, sending the aggregate score to 3-3 and forcing extra time. With no goals in extra time, the match went to penalties, where Beitar's goalkeeper Miguel Silva saved two shots, leading to a 4-3 shootout win and securing Beitar's place in the third qualifying round.

According to Beitar Jerusalem's match report, Atzili scored both goals and Silva was the hero in the penalty shootout. Beitar now aims to achieve a positive result against Austria Vienna ahead of the second leg, scheduled for next Thursday, August 13, at 21:30 in Vienna, according to UEFA's schedule.