Hapoel Nof Hagalil dreams of surviving in the Premier League.
She is currently locking the table, but the bottom is very crowded, and tomorrow (Saturday, 16:00) she will be hosted by Hapoel Jerusalem (12th place) for a critical battle for six points.
The staff of coach Shai Barda is not shiny, but the young midfielder Bar Cohen stands out, who is on loan from Maccabi Tel Aviv and made his breakthrough this season with the newcomer.
In an interview with Israel Today, Cohen did not sound 21 years old. He is much more mature in thought and in the way he sees things, maybe this is what will help his team survive against all odds.
"We have to be aggressive," he says emphatically. "We are dealing with our dreams and not fears, that is the motto."
There are not many young players who talk like you. Where do you get these messages from?
"The team gives me confidence, shows me a video every week after training and shows me where to get better. It's a greenhouse, I'm only here a year but feel much better. There are such good people in the Galilee landscape that they deserve to stay in the league, and I will do anything to make it happen. Good conditions and a family dressing room. "
Despite the optimism you are last, and quite a few people have already relegated you to the league. How does it feel?
"Let's tell the truth, our situation is not alarming, but what sets us apart is that we are strong in the head. We have players who have gone through many things in their careers, they guide the young and make us who we are. Maybe the Galilee landscape in last place, but we are worth more. "Only at the end of the season will we know how it will end, but it will go to the end, until the last round. There will be a dense and strong battle, and I believe that with what is here, we will win and stay in the league."
"I can only move forward"
Bar Cohen grew up in the city of Lod.
He is the type of player who is already difficult to see in Israeli football.
He is not tall, he is not physical, but he is very talented and technical with the ball.
Breda says he allows Bar Freedom on the field to express his talent, but does not give up on other things he must work hard on to advance his career.
"In order to be a more complete player, you have to take two or three points for a career from each coach. With Shai, I improved my ball extraction, understanding the game, where to run without a ball," says Cohen. "A.
He is a positive character, and not only from him I learned, but from many players in my time there. "
Bar Cohen.
Optimistic, Photo: Liron Moldovan
You are not the tallest, not the strongest, what makes you believe you will go far?
"I work hard to develop physically and live a sporting life as a footballer. Everything is in my head for me. If I am strong in the head, then no one will move me even if he is taller or stronger than me. From here I can only progress upwards."
And where do you think this "up" should take you?
"I am supposed to return to Maccabi Tel Aviv at the beginning of the season, and I will make the best decision with Barak Yitzhaki for both sides.
"My dream is to stay at Maccabi Tel Aviv and I believe in myself that I will do the way Dan Glazer and Yonatan Cohen did. Before that, of course, I want to stay in the league with a view of the Galilee. It will be perfect."
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