Maccabi Haifa won its 15th championship in its history and third in a row, after defeating Maccabi Netanya 1-5, in a game that sealed a great season for the Greens.
The team's coach Barak Bachar said: "This season was very long, we could have finished it before. The farther it goes, the sweeter, an exciting and exhausting time, lots of thoughts and feelings. Thinking ahead on the one hand and on the other hand don't want to get in trouble and end it. It characterizes the players and the club the way we did it. Beyond the Red Planet? What needs to be done right now is to celebrate. We finished three years here with all the goals and qualifying for the Champions League. We broke a glass ceiling. What characterizes the group is character. This team has courage, especially in the second part of the season. I didn't expect such a 1-5 result."
Behar with Charon Sherry, Photo: Alan Shaver
The Green coach added: "According to the results, this is one of Maccabi Haifa's greatest seasons ever. A third championship and the Champions League is history. Not sure it will be, it's very difficult to qualify for the championship and win the championship after that. There are many moments when you think it will escape, but the victory in Ashdod was the point we knew we would win. We got the confidence in this place, it was the most significant. There is an amazing envelope here - the management, the staff. Amazing energies. When I was in Kiryat Shmona I was everything, today there are things I don't even convey. They all do an amazing job. It's fun to be a part of it."
Behar celebrates with the actors, photo: Alan Shaver
On the news of Red Star mid-season: "There was a lot of pressure. As soon as there were poor results, I knew the pressure would be on me. I was very open with the players. I said it could have been the 'last dance'. Some of the players may not be here next year either. It's also for me and the team to work harder, it's a big responsibility. If I'm here next season? I will say soon. We'll get it out in an orderly manner."
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League Chairman Erez Kalfon congratulated the Greens at the end of the game: "Congratulations to Maccabi Haifa Football Club for a third consecutive championship and 15th in the club's history, your new star shines and shines and emphasizes the greatness of the club and its place in the history of football in Israel. I would like to congratulate club president Yankele Shahar, coach Barak Bachar and his staff, players, club employees and dedicated fans on another season full of records and achievements. Winning a third consecutive title in a season in which you play in the group stage of the Champions League is something extraordinary that has not yet happened in Israeli football, and for that you deserve all the praise."
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