BBC SPORT | Football | Uefa Cup | Kewell tonic for Leeds

Leeds 1-0 Hapoel Tel Aviv
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Harry Kewell's late goal ended Leeds' frustration as they beat Hapoel Tel-Aviv in their second round, first leg Uefa Cup tie.

Kewell struck with a deflected shot after Leeds were denied by the woodwork on four occasions.

Hapoel beat Chelsea in last season's Uefa Cup and showed signs they could defeat another English side.

But Leeds gradually asserted their authority and were rewarded with Kewell's winner to take into the second leg in Florence.

Key incidents

20 mins: Barmby's spectacular volleys hits the post

39: Viduka strikes the woodwork

81: Kewell's deflected shot goes in

Leeds manager Terry Venables's team will, however, have to be wary against the Israeli team who showed they pose a goal threat with their first half display.

The visitors were in adventurous mode and took just eight minutes to create their first opening.

Pini Balili's attempted chip was not high enough and was caught by the on-rushing Leeds keeper Peter Robinson.

Photo gallery: Uefa Cup pictures

Ian Harte saw a free-kick go over for Leeds but it was Hapoel who created the early running and Robinson was soon called into action again.

He had to dive quickly to his right to turn a curling 25-yard Salim Toema free-kick wide.

Leeds began to become more of a threat and Nick Barmby struck the foot of visiting keeper Shavit Elimelech's upright after 20 minutes.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv's Carlos Silva Welton holds off Leeds defender Gary Kelly
Welton (left) troubled the Leeds defence

The woodwork again came to the Israeli team's rescue when Mark Viduka's shot from a set-piece bounced back off the crossbar.

Hapoel were trying to catch out the home side with long flighted balls over the top of the Leeds defence.

But they were also comfortable with the ball at feet and posed plenty of problems for Leeds.

Carlos Silva Welton was proving a constant threat for the visitors and his persistence almost paid off but an unmarked Toema sliced his volley wide from the edge of the area.

Leeds started to dominate proceedings after the interval and the combative Leeds striker Alan Smith was at the forefront of the home outfit's improvement.

He won the free-kick from which Harte's effort struck the top of the Hapoel crossbar.

Smith again worked an opening for Kewell but he dragged his shot across goal wide.

Hapoel failed to repeat the threat they posed early on as they tried to deal with a strong and attack-minded Leeds.

Venables's players finally ended their frustration when Smith played the ball over his head and Kewell's shot went in following a deflection.

Kewell almost helped add a second goal when his cross was diverted against the crossbar by Assaf Domb.

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Radebe, Woodgate, Harte, Barmby, Dacourt, Bakke, Kewell, Smith, Viduka. Subs: Martyn, Bridges, McPhail, Mills, Duberry, McMaster, Singh.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv: Elimelech, Halis, Gershon, Halmai, Antebi, Domb, Toema, Afek, Abuksis, Balili, Welton. Subs: Salem, Halfon, Luz, Clescenko, Saban, Abutbul, Udi.

Referee: Jack Van Hulten (Holland)