Pacult: Hapoel will pose tough test

Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009 by PA

Rapid Vienna coach Peter Pacult admits Hapoel Tel Aviv have the technical ability to worry his team in Thursday's Europa League clash in Israel.

The Austrian outfit top Group C on four points following an excellent win over highly-fancied Hamburg and a creditable draw away to Celtic, and another victory would put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stage.

Hapoel, though, are only a point behind in a tight pool and Pacult knows his team will have to be on their game if they are to hold onto top spot.

"They are a very compact team who press well and try to worry you up front," Pacult said in Die Presse.

"They don't give the ball away, play a short passing game with two attacking full-backs and seldom go on individual dribbles."

Pacult also pointed out the Israeli side can roll their sleeves up and fight when the going gets tough.

"They have Rapid-style virtues. After going behind they don't allow themselves to lose their way and they continue to fight," he said.

Pacult, though, feels speed in attack could help decide the first meeting between Rapid and Hapoel in his side's favour.

"Our big chance lies in playing quickly up front," he said.

Victory for Rapid would put them in with a chance of booking their place in the last 32 in the return match next month, but Pacult is not looking that far ahead.

"I am not thinking about that at all," he said. "That will only count after six games."

Hapoel have not started their domestic campaign in particularly impressive fashion and lie sixth in the table with nine points from six games.

They beat Celtic in their opening game in the competition, though, and made life tough for Hamburg in Germany before eventually going down 4-2.