After the loss to BS in the cup final, Maccabi Petah Tikva coach Guy Luzon praised the opponent: "Their experience did the job"

• Luzon, tonight. Accepted the loss with respect

  Photo: 

  Alan Shaver

Last summer, after Maccabi Petah Tikva was relegated to the national league, it set itself the goal of returning to the senior league within a year. The Malabes of course managed to meet their mission convincingly and along the way also managed to surprise Israeli football and qualify for the cup final. Tonight (Monday), Hapoel BS was big on Guy Luzon and his trainees who surrendered at the end of 90 minutes 2: 0.

Maccabi Petah Tikva coach Guy Luzon said after the game: "I think our fatigue and Beer Sheva's experience did the job. Their goal gave them energy and made us confused. I think they were better than us, they deserve the trophy." On the decision not to place a personal guard on Joshua, the coach said: "All possibilities have been considered. It is almost impossible to save Joshua, if we had kept him personally it would have destroyed our entire lineup."

Luzon added: "We could not attack like that, and this is not football I believe in. We have made tremendous results this year when we play football. Congratulations to Be'er Sheva." The decision to go up between the posts with the young goalkeeper Dor Hebron: "If you followed us, from the moment he joined the team, it was fantastic. In retrospect, I would have done the same."