The disappointment in Maccabi Haifa from a loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv is especially great • Criticism of the management of the game and disappointment Marz Meir and Charon Shari • Delay in negotiations on a new contract with Nikita Rokavica
Neta Lavie's face says it all
Photography:
Alan Shiver
Feelings of frustration and disappointment were last night in the locker room of Maccabi Haifa at the end of the dramatic loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv (2: 1). "We are suckers," said one of the players in the locker room, others sat in silence for long minutes.
The fact that the Greens led 0: 1 in the first half and absorbed twice, including a penalty in the 95th minute, increases the club's feeling of missing out.
"Even if the gap had remained at 8 points, nothing would have happened," said Carmel, adding: "We brought them back to life ourselves, now everything is open and we have to go back to winning on Sunday against Hapoel Kfar Saba."
The club was disappointed last night with the ability of defender Raz Meir, midfielder Charon Sherry and the substitutions in the second half.
"Managing the game did not help the team, that's a fact," they said in Haifa, but clarified: "A team that wants to take a championship should not fall from a loss, even if it hurts a lot."
As for Nikita Rokavica, there has been a decline in his ability recently, but the club claim that it has nothing to do with the fact that he is ending his contract in the summer and has not yet signed a new contract.
"This is a natural decline, his numbers are still staggering," the club said.
After a 13-game winning streak, Rokavica has scored one goal in the last four games.
"Despite everything, in Haifa Rokavica was offered to sit down for negotiations, but he prefers to take his time and is in no hurry to renew the contract, perhaps in order to receive high offers overseas."