Bnei Sakhnin to play Macedonia's Renova in Intertoto Cup

Renova, which finished fifth in the Macedonian league last season, defeated Croatian side HNK Rijeka 2-0 over two legs in the first round on Saturday.

By JEREMY LAST
bnei sakhnin 88 (photo credit: )
bnei sakhnin 88
(photo credit: )
Premier League side Bnei Sakhnin will play Macedonia's FK Renova over two legs in the second round of the Intertoto Cup next week with a chance to play Spanish giant Deportivo La Coruna in the next round up for grabs. Renova, which finished fifth in the Macedonian league last season, defeated Croatian side HNK Rijeka 2-0 over two legs in the first round on Saturday. The tie against Sakhnin will be played on July 5 and 13. Sakhnin had a superb campaign last season, finishing in fourth place in its return to the top flight after a year in the National League. However, many of its best players left the club in the offseason, leaving it with a depleted squad. Star Armenian forward Ilya Yavorian moved to Maccabi Tel Aviv and is expected to be joined at Bloomfield by his striking partner Maor Buzaglo, while Colombian midfielder John Culma transferred to Maccabi Haifa. Despite these setbacks, Fredi David's team will be relishing the chance to face Deportivo and its Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Awat. Although Awat has been rumored to be leaving the club, with English sides Bolton and Wigan believed to be interested in his services, he is currently still listed as playing for Deportivo. The Spaniards have had a disappointing time of late, finishing in ninth place in La Liga last season. The winner of the game against Deportivo will win a place in the second qualifying round for the UEFA Cup. Meanwhile, the draws for the UEFA Cup and Champions League will be held on Tuesday. Premier League champion Betar Jerusalem will be in the pot for the Champions League second qualifying round while Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Netanya and newcomers Ironi Kiryat Shmona will all be in the pot for the UEFA Cup. Betar left on Sunday for Holland where the squad will hold its first training camp of the summer.