Hapoel Tel-Aviv are on the brink of qualifying from Group C after a convincing 3-0 win away to Rapid Vienna.

Convincing win leaves Israelis needing a point to qualify

Hapoel Tel-Aviv are on the brink of qualifying from Europa League Group C after a convincing 3-0 win away to Rapid Vienna. Avichai Yadin gave the Israeli side a half-time lead before Gil Vermouth and Bebars Natcho netted in the second period to leave Hapoel on nine points, needing only one further point from their two remaining games to book a place in the last 32. The visitors were ahead after just 13 minutes as Yadin lashed the ball home from long range. Rapid were inches away from an equaliser just after the half-hour mark, but Stefan Hoffman's header struck the crossbar. The Austrians could not convert any of their chances, and were made to pay when Hapoel doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Vermouth fired in from close range. And five minutes later Hapoel wrapped up the win as Vermouth turned provider, teeing up Natcho for the finish. Rapid would not give up, with Andreas Dober missing from close range and Hamdi Salihi volleying against the post, but there was no way back. Rapid must now turn their attention to closing the three-point gap to second-placed Hamburg if they are to progress.