A lot of pressure was released in Maccabi Haifa after the 0:2 victory over Kiryat Shmona. The Greens came under great pressure to the game, after a difficult meeting held by coach Barak Becher during the week. At the meeting in question, Bacher went player-player and made it clear that only fighters would play for him. Yesterday he moved to the action phase, when he left two of his biggest stars, Omar Azili and Ali Muhammad, on the bench. Becher was not satisfied with the ability even in the first half and mainly asked the defensive plays to push forward. Indeed, the improvement was evident in the second half, during which Charon Sherry and Dolev Haziza scored the goals that calmed the greens, and gave victory after three consecutive draws.
“It was important to win to get out of the crisis,” admitted a player in the team, “we knew it wouldn’t come easily, but in the second half we already did things much better.” In Haifa, they complimented Dolev Haziza and Charon Sheri who, apart from scoring goals, showed fighting spirit throughout the game. “This is what Barak wanted to get from the players,” said an official in the team. “That even when he doesn’t go, they won’t stop running and fighting for every ball. At least in this aspect, his assembly has proven itself.”
The one who was not included in yesterday’s squad is Pierre Cornot. In Haifa they were convinced that the left defender’s injury was behind him and the professional team even wanted him to start in the lineup, but the defender himself did not feel ready and surprised the team members. Curno explained that he still does not feel ready, and although he has already played in the last two games, he claimed that he feels that he returned to the courts too quickly. Now in Haifa they hope that in the match against MS Ashdod Korno will be able to play, but again it will depend on him. “Only those who feel they are 100 percent ready will play,” said a club official. “A player who feels that he is not ready or able to give his 100 percent, will not play.”
The group was also very satisfied with the performance of Dia Saba who got involved. Those who received the greatest compliments were Muhammad Abu Fani and Abdulai Sak. Abu Fani was in great doubt after a hit he received against Hapoel Hadera, but he completed a final training session and yesterday, according to the people of Haifa, he was the outstanding player on the field. “This is what Barak and all of us want to see – players who even after a hard blow come up to play, give their all and prove that they are fighters,” said the club.
The victory increased the gap from Po’el Beer Sheva to 4 points, but the Greens try not to worry about it. “We said and we’ll say it again – as long as we do our part, the rivals will not interest us. This is the most important message that the players need to understand,” said the club.