Leeds 1 - Hapoel Tel Aviv 0

Kewell's 82nd minute goal gave Leeds the narrowest of advantages to take into the second leg in Florence in two weeks time.

The goal, set up by Alan Smith's deft flick, rounded off an impressive, high-tempo second half that was probably the side's best display under Terry Venables.

Hapoel came with a reputation as an attacking side and they soon lived up to it with frontmen Pini Balili and Saum Toama always looking threatening.

Balili should have put the visitors ahead early on when he was through in space with Paul Robinson in no-man's land, but his attempted chip was gathered high above his head by the relieved keeper.

Toama showed what he could do from a free-kick just outside the area but his low curling shot was well turned away by Robinson diving full-stretch to his right.

At the other end Ian Harte went close with a well struck free-kick and Mark Viduka was left holding his head when his free-kick from a similar area dropped on to the top of the bar.

Leeds best effort came from good work by Viduka to the right of the penalty area. He chipped to the far post where Nick Barmby twisted into a spectacular scissor kick that thumped against the base of the post.

Venables obviously insisted on his side increasing the pace in the second half because they spent most of the 45 minutes taking the game to Hapoel.

At the heart of everything was Smith, leading the line with incredible power and verve, running down every ball and giving the visiting defence a harrowing time.

But still Leeds couldn't make the breakthrough they needed, Kewell going closest with a volley from a Smith cross, and Harte once again finding the woodwork with a free-kick.

Hapoel hardly had an attack after the break although Toama forced two good saves from Robinson, but finally Kewell found the smallest of gaps and gave Leeds the victory they deserved.

Kickoff 31 October 2002 20:00 at Elland Road
Referee: Van Hulten J	Attendance: 31,867

Final Result
Leeds 1	Hapoel Tel Aviv 0
H.Kewell (82)

Yellow Cards
E.Bakke, 48, unsporting behaviour L.Radebe, 60, unsporting behaviour A.Smith, 89, unsporting behaviour	Toema, 6, unsporting behaviour Domb, 52, unsporting behaviour

Red Cards

Match Squads
Leeds 1	Hapoel Tel Aviv 0
1. P.Robinson 2. G.Kelly 3. L.Radebe 4. J.Woodgate 5. I.Harte 6. A.Smith 7. E.Bakke 8. O.Dacourt 9. N.Barmby 10. M.Viduka 11. H.Kewell	1. Elimelech 2. Halis 3. Domb 4. Gershon 5. Antebi 6. Abuksis 7. Halmai 8. Afek 9. Toema 10. Balali 11. Welton

Substitutes
12. M.Bridges(70) 13. S.McPhail(65) 14. D.Mills(90) 15. M.Duberry 16. J.McMaster 17. H.Singh 18. N.Martyn	12. Halfon 13. Luz 14. Klashenco(58) 15. Saban 16. Abutbul(66) 17. Udi(84) 18. Salem