Hundreds of Maccabi Netanya fans spontaneously celebrated early in the morning (between Wednesday and Thursday) the team's victory in the Toto Cup in the square in Atzwam in the city.
They lit smoke grenades, sang and danced, and also celebrated the revenge against Hapoel Be'er Sheva, who relegated them nine and a half years ago.
"If I didn't believe I could win the title, I wouldn't be here," said the team's coach, Ran Kozhuk, "it's true that we didn't score in 90 minutes, but in games like this when the level rises, you won't get to 4-5 situations, you'll get to a situation A good one or two and you'll have to score, and that's exactly the situations we've reached. When we get to these situations, we'll have to put the ball in the net, but I see a good future with regards to our scoring. We'll gain confidence in the league and it will come."
Think this is a game that can change the season?
"I once said that you decide your tomorrow. We started not well, but we managed to get another draw and another win and the direction started to be positive. I really hope that this victory will give us a big boost to the league and bring the crowd back together because this crowd is huge, important and fills us with energy. Sometimes In order to embark on a new path and gain confidence, you need to score points and bring victories by the teeth."
Can Netanya return to playing attractive football like last year?
"Also last year, when I was an assistant coach, it took us a while at first to show our great football. I already wish we could return to show last year's football, but it's a process."
Are you able to reach the top playoffs this year as well?
"We can reach the top playoffs this season, that's our goal, but we have to understand that there are at least 4-5 other teams that have this as their goal. If we want to be in the top playoffs, we have to win game after game. The fact that we took the Toto Cup is good, but now we We have to win the next game."
Ran Kozhuk.
"We can reach the top playoffs this season", photo: Alan Shiver
Did Naftali Blai's ability surprise you?
"Naftali is a very talented player. He had two very good games. I am happy that he knew how to take the opportunity that was given to him. Every player we have in the squad is legitimate and we have healthy competition for the team. In the end, the burden of proof is on the one who plays. I strongly believe that a quality team pushes each other forward."
You weren't afraid to let Zlatanovic also kick penalties after his miss?
"Igor is the best penalty kicker in Israel. I went to him and asked him if he wanted to kick and he told me, 'Yes, I am the first kicker,' and for me at that moment I knew he would score. Even if he had missed the penalty, as soon as I recognize a player who comes with such an attitude And wants from the heart, I have no doubt that he should kick."
Erich Barko returned to the staff after a few months, is there a chance he will stay?
"Both the management and we as a team will do everything for the benefit of Maccabi Netanya. A decision was made that he returns to the squad, certainly for this game. Football is fluid and dynamic and in the end we will only make decisions that are good for Maccabi Netanya."
Meanwhile, in Netanya they will continue the talks with M.S.
Ashdod regarding the Oz connection has spent, even though at this stage the demands on him are very high.
In addition, the diamonds are in contact with a foreign left shield.
Captain Aviv Avraham told about winning the title:
Aviv Avraham.
At the moment the captain remains, photo: Alan Shiver
To the question of whether he stayed in Netanya, Avraham said:
We were wrong?
We will fix it!
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