Victory in Azerbaijan was team's first ever in European competition.
By ALLON SINAI
Bnei Yehuda took a significant step towards the second qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday, defeating Simurq PFC 1-0 in Azerbaijan.
Defender Dean Mori scored the only goal of the match in the 83rd minute and gave the Israelis a comfortable cushion ahead of next Thursday's return leg at Bloomfield Stadium.
The victory in Azerbaijan was Bnei Yehuda's first ever in European competition, with the club losing twice to Lokomotiv Sofia in UEFA Cup qualifiers in its continental debut three years ago.
"I'm delighted with the victory. This is an historic win for Bnei Yehuda," coach Guy Luzon said.
"We are remaining modest and focused because we have only won the first half of the tie."
Captain Asi Baldut was very pleased to have come through the difficult trip.
"It was a tough match, but we were ready," Baldut said.
"We are expecting a tricky encounter at home and I expect the fans to come and support us."
Maccabi Netanya enters the Europa League in its second qualifying round, visiting Malta's Sliema Wanderers on July 16 and hosting the return leg a week later. Hapoel Tel Aviv will start the competition in its third qualifying round.
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