Betar Jerusalem completed a makeover last week and achieved a critical victory at the bottom over Maccabi Petah Tikva, but tonight (Saturday) the yellow-blacks returned to Surem with a 1-0 loss away to Hapoel Hadera. Maxim Flakushchenko with an 11-meter free kick scored the only goal In the game, which complicated Jerusalem, but brought Hadera very close to securing the top playoff.
Yossi Aboksis Asked if the points scored by the bottom teams had an effect: “I do not think we were stressed, but a little inaccurate in the last part. To say we controlled did not give points, but we played well until the last quarter where they closed us. “But in football sometimes when you deserve to win you lose and vice versa. I really think we played good football and did not let Hadera get into situations, even though we did not get there. We can not talk about good football, because we are interested in bringing points and today we did not bring.”
On Betar’s next games against three Bnei Sakhnin, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa: “The bottom is very, very crowded and it will be very difficult. We will have to bring in points. “
Ural Degani He added: “We are at the bottom and need every point. That other teams have taken points, okay, we have to look after ourselves. If we do our job and become good, we will also stay in the league. Hadera has rare momentum and is doing well, but I do not think they came For too many opportunities. We played well and pressed them, we lacked a goal. We have very difficult games, Sakhnin at home and then Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa, but I think lately we look much better and it is harder to get in front of us for opportunities. Today everyone gave themselves 100 Percent and I believe that if we continue like this, we will also stay in the league. “
On Aboksis: “Yossi gave a new feeling in Betar, there are good energies. “We see that we look better, but I do not want to talk about other coaches.”
Menachem Koretzky Said after the game that the team is within touching distance of securing the top playoff: “My players are real heroes. They are every week, against all logic, giving plays. They fight, I salute them and admire them. We still have to complete the task and I will not let anyone “Celebrate because we are missing 2-3 more points. We had a fantastic first half, I want players to continue to progress and improve.”
Koretzky was also asked about the top playoff grants: “It’s not accurate that players came for it. We tried to strengthen the existing base, gave the young players from the youth department a chance and first of all we want to win.”
Conqueror of the Victory Gate Maxim Flakushchenko He added: “For Hadera, the top playoff is like taking a championship. We have not yet achieved the goal and we will have to achieve it as soon as possible. Although we won 0: 1, but we get into situations and I do not think we are less good than any team except Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Tel Aviv “And Hapoel Beer Sheva. We do not have to give an account to the visitors.”
Three rounds to the end of the regular season, in the next round Betar Jerusalem will host Bnei Sakhnin, Hapoel Hadera will host Maccabi Petah Tikva.