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Thursday, 14 November, 2002, 17:53 GMT

Smith sees off Hapoel

Hapoel Tel-Aviv 1-4 Leeds (Agg: 1-5)

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Alan Smith's four goal haul sent Leeds cruising past Hapoel Tel-Aviv and into the third round of the Uefa Cup.

The England striker made Hapoel eat their words after they had criticised his physical approach in the first-leg as Leeds overcame the potential set-back of conceding an early goal.

In front of just over 3,000 fans in the neutral Artemio Francho Stadium in Florence, Hapoel took just 90 seconds to wipe out Leeds first-leg lead.


" It's the first senior hat-trick of my career and it's something I will always remember "
Alan Smith

Eirik Bakke's foul on Salim Toema 23 yards out was in range for Yossi Abuksis to curl his free-kick over the Leeds wall and in off Paul Robinson's right-hand post.

Leeds reply saw Alan Smith whip in a right-wing cross which keeper Shavit Elimelech almost spilled at the feet of Jason Wilcox.

The Premiership club produced some enterprising football going forward and were rewarded on 30 minutes. A slick move was rounded off by Bakke's threaded pass to Smith who finished crisply from a tight angle.

Harry Kewell's sinewy run earned him a yard of space and his shot deflected off Assi Domb to bring a sharp save from Elimelech.


Key moments
2mins: Jossi Abuksis fires Hapoel ahead.
30mins: Smith's first levels the scores.
50mins: Smith strikes again to put Leeds 2-1 up.
62mins: Smith completes his hat-trick.
78mins: Abuksis is sent off.
82mins: Smith's fourth completes his night.

Harte was certainly having mixed fortunes. His mistake gifted the ball to Omri Afek whose thumping shot was finger-tipped on to the bar by Robinson.

The Leeds defender atoned for that error at the other end with a powerful effort which struck the bar and Elimelech produced a brilliant save from Smith's follow-up shot.

The Israeli team made a strong start to the second-half, with Akbusis slamming a free-kick into the Leeds defensive wall, and Robinson tipping Albert Knafo's shot round the post.

Leeds were on the back foot but rocked on to the front to take the lead on 50 minutes through a piece of opportunism through Smith.

The Leeds striker took advantage of hesitation between Domb and keeper Elimelech to nip in and hook the ball goalwards where the spin took it over the line despite Rahamian Halis's attempts to clear.

Smith's confidence was sky-high and he virutally put Leeds into the third round in completing his hat-trick on 62 minutes.

Elimelech produced a fine save to parry Smith's powerful header from Kewell's cross, but the Leeds striker reacted first to prod the ball home.

There was still work for Robinson to do, the Leeds keeper spreading himself to block from subsitute Pini Balili

Hapoel's misery was complete when Abuksis was dismissed on 78 minutes for his second yellow card for dissent.

Smith rounded off his perfect evening by notching his fourth goal with a powerful header from Kewell's cross.


Hapoel Tel-Aviv: Elimelech, Halis, Gershon, Domb, Hillel, Abuksis, Halmai, Toema, Afek, Knafo, Clescenko. Subs: Salem, Luz, Balili, Udi, Saban, Halfon, Abutbul.

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Radebe, Duberry, Harte, Barmby, Bakke, Bowyer, Wilcox, Kewell, Smith. Subs: Martyn, Bridges, McPhail, Burns, McMaster, Richardson, Kilgallon.

Referee: F Stuchlik (Austria)


Related to this story:
Venables issues Hapoel caution (01 Nov 02 | Uefa Cup) Kewell tonic for Leeds (31 Oct 02 | Uefa Cup)


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