Eden Karzev joined Maccabi in the January transfer window on loan from Turkish outfit Basaksehir but to wait for his chance in a midfield that led the team to the top of the table. The 24-year-old who stepped into the anchorman role which was vacated following the injury of Joris van Overeem, said: “I am delighted to have been given this chance and have been waiting for a long time. Sadly, I didn’t want it to happen in these circumstances with Joris suffering an injury, but I worked hard all this time and will continue working hard to justify my place.” Karzev, who earlier this week couldn’t help Maccabi avoid defeat away to Hapoel Be’ersheva, added: “I tried giving everything at Turner and maybe I am not 100% match fit or maybe not at 100% of my ability, but I think that overall I had a good game yet my expectations from myself are a lot higher. This is something I expect to improve on a game-by-game basis.”
On the title race that currently keeps Maccabi with a seven-point-lead at the top of the table, Karzev added: “We have our final target, there is a way in which we work every day and stick by it. At the end of the day no one will remember whether we won the league title by one point or 25. All they remember is that you have the championship plate or you don’t. I believe in our way.”
Karzev, who is experiencing his second tenure at Maccabi, summed up: “In the end, everyone tries to bring his abilities onto the pitch and help the team in his own way. Each player tries to reach a 100% of his ability and give everything he has in every possible aspect. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. We have a very good and healthy team here as I believe that we will meet our targets. Hapoel Haifa are a good attacking side that are fun to play against. I am confident we will be fully prepared to play this match.”
