Late Kewell strike wins it for Leeds

The Israelis has taken the scalp of Chelsea in the same competition and made Leeds work hard to gain the victory.  

Terry Venables' charges hit the woodwork three times as Mark Viduka and Ian Harte free-kicks went within centimetres of breaking the deadlock.

A spectacular Nick Barmby overhead kick also hit the post as it looked like it was not to be Leeds' night.

However, Australian ace Kewell struck on 81 minutes to score the all-important goal, although there seemed to be a hint of a deflection.    

The visitors were bright in the first half and tested Paul Robinson with several long range efforts, but the young custodian was more than upto the task at hand.

Leeds, who whimpered past Ukrainian minnows Metalurg Zaporizhzhya in the previous round, needed the half-time teamtalk to inspire them and they looked much more lively in the second 45 minutes. 

Long-term injury victim Michael Bridges was brought on for Barmby after 69 minutes to inject some firepower but The Whites could not hit the back of the net. 

The Yorkshire outfit threw everything at Hapoel in the last quarter hour and finally got their just desserts through the Kewell winner. 

The return leg takes place in Florence due to the precarious political situation in the Middle East and Leeds need just look at what happened to Chelsea to avoid getting complacent.  

Elsewhere, a Darren Bent strike handed new manager Joe Royle the perfect start as Ipswich edged Slovan Liberec 1-0 at Portman Road.

Royle came into the Town hot-seat following the dismissal of George Burley and his team fought gallantly to secure a first leg advantage in the Uefa Cup.  

An even first half had seen chances at either end with Alun Armstrong going close with a header on 20 minutes and Martin Zboncak rattling the woodwork on the stroke of half-time for the Czechs.

The second period was equally cagey until teenage striker Bent netted on 69 minutes to give Ipswich a crucial lead to take to the Czech Republic.     

For the match summaries click below 

Ipswich v Liberec
Leeds v Hapoel Tel-Aviv