Full steam ahead

Real at bay with a series of fine saves.

L’Equipe boss Stern commented: “I was so proud of the boys. We fielded a depleted team and were missing our two top scorers, but seemingly nothing stops us this year.”

“The attitude the team showed, the belief they have, even when our backs are against the ropes, is something very special.

“A lot of respect to Real Hendon who shouldn’t be in the position they are based on the views of the majority of my team. But a team like us has the belief and confidence that we will win no matter what and again that is something very special. We know how close we are but that’s still all it is for the moment.”

Gilad Kestenbaum and Raph Noe registered for Real and player-manager Chaim Gothold insisted his team deserved more.

“I’ve got no idea how we lost,” he said. “We were camped in their half for the final 30 minutes but due to a mixture of bad luck and outstanding goalkeeping we couldn’t force the draw or win which we would have deserved.

“Credit to them though as they took their chances and defended resolutely.”