Maccabi Masters at the Masters….
The World Masters Games has proved a football bonanza for the NSW Maccabi Masters football team…a side which fielded yesterday Football Federation Australia director Philip Wolanski and Westfield brothers Steven and Peter Lowy.[singlepic id=266 w=320 h=240 float=left]A family simcha brought Peter to Sydney from his home in Los Angeles just in time to play a couple of matches for his old side.
Maccabi’s group of veterans at the Masters Football in the World Masters Games consists of Phil Wolanski, Clive Barrett (captain), Eli Rimmer, Gabi Rachamim, Mick Swibel, Barry Palte, Avrom Sank, Lester Solden, Brad Maloney (coach) Longy Nguyen (trainer), Steven Lowy, Gary Braude, Avi Ben David, GaryFelsher, Tom Weiner, Dimitri Kanikevics, Gary Weiss and Peter Lowy. Maccabi NSW wishes them the best of luck in their remaining matches.
Team member Michael Swibel filed this report for J-Wire:
Maccabi Masters have qualified for the semi finals of the World Masters Games 45+ Premier Division Football competition despite losing 2-1 to Ukrainian team Kharkov FC in their final group match today.
Maccabi went into their fifth game in six days sitting in 3rd position on the group ladder following one win, one loss and two draws in earlier matches against teams from Russia, Ukraine, Canada and Australia.
Kharkov boasted several former USSR professional players one of whom was voted “Russian Player of the Year” in his heyday with the famous Dynamo Moscow club.
In windy conditions Maccabi found themselves 1-0 down midway through the 1st half when the defence failed to clear a high cross and the ball was poked home from close range by the Kharkov striker.
Maccabi’s woes continued when livewire forward Avrom Sank was forced off the park with a hamstring strain while Clive Barrett tried to get the Sky Blues going with his skillful play in the midfield.
Kharkov doubled the advantage in the 2nd half to 2-0 following another goal mouth scramble. Maccabi gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Gary Felsher fired in a goal which ricocheted off the post, then off the keeper and into the net for 2-1 and the final scoreline.
With other results going their way Maccabi finished 4th in the group and will face table toppers Cosmos from Russia in a semi final clash on Friday.
In earlier results Maccabi 1 (Steven Lowy) lost to Cosmos 3; Maccabi 0 drew FC Ilyichevec 0; Maccabi 2 (Clive Barrett & Avrom Sank) drew Lads Calgary United 2; Maccabi 2 (Gabi Rachamim & Eli Rimmer) defeated Dunrooten United 0.
photos: Henry Benjamin
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