When it comes after a super expensive 0: 1 away win over Hapoel Jerusalem that earned it sixth place in the table, Hapoel Tel Aviv will try to complete the work on Saturday at 19:00 against Maccabi Netanya which is in great shape and secure its place in the top playoffs. The Reds know that everything depends on them, but even in the event of losing points, Hapoel Hadera will have to beat Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Kobi Refuah spoke today (Thursday) in the run-up to the game: “I agree that although the victory against Hapoel Jerusalem was important and the goal was three points, we did not look good. The importance of the game? Sometimes there are things that should not be passed on to the players, things are up to us and that is something that is good. We will want to do the job and I really hope we will be in the top playoffs. “
On the changes in January he said: “As for his voice and Rosa it was not expected. It is true that a window of opportunity has opened up for us and we decided to bring in Freddie Flomin because he knows the mentality and Israeli football so that in terms of adaptation it will be easier for him and we hope and are sure that he can help us later. ”
Regarding the fact that the team will play Sami Ofer, the coach said: “The radius? I agree it’s problematic, Hapoel’s audience is different and jealous of his team. We did not want to have a radius, I’m sure most of the crowd will be ours even though we are not playing well to say the least. I hope we do not disappoint them. We will advance step by step, need to secure our place in the playoffs against a team that has not lost 13 games, a very difficult game and this is the game that determines the most. We will talk later and see what the goals are because at the moment we need to be in the top playoff and that is the goal. “
Regarding the injuries and shortcomings ahead of the game, the coach said: “Einbinder only started training partially with the team yesterday, Ben Bitton also trained with the fitness coach. My partner has an ankle problem, Jankovic and Traura are sidelined. It’s all excuses. We also played with three / four youth players. No excuses, I’m also sure a question that hurts a little will not give up. There are wounded in every group, I will never run. We will do our best to meet our goal. “
Youth players like Ofer Senior and Sagi Genis will get more minutes? “It’s not a matter of minutes for youth players, I’m not giving them just to get minutes. There are a lot of elementary things here, it is not wise to include youth players in any situation. They are talented and good and their time will come too. “
Kesher Hapoel Tel Aviv, Dan Eibinder He said: “From the moment I arrived at Hapoel Tel Aviv, I had a lot of games that I did not play qualified. We understand the importance, we will do the maximum that the team will have the best staff. All season we feel pressure. The victory against Hapoel Jerusalem was a victory of character, a small but very big victory that brought us closer to the playoffs. We want to do the job and secure the playoffs, all season we have been in these areas and we deserve to be there. I hope we will complete the work tomorrow. “
Regarding the team’s ability in recent times, the Reds captain said: “In recent times there have been games where the ability has been less good. We also played well in the derby and against BS, but we did not win, I am happy about this small 0: 1 against Hapoel Jerusalem, it was important for us to get the character back. The pressure is released, we are alert because we have a game against a good opponent. We play against a good opponent but we look at ourselves first and want to make the fans happy. ”