Nineteen-year-old Ofek Melika, a third generation of Maccabi goalkeepers, said after the match: “It is amazing, a childhood dream, to follow the footsteps of my grandfather who played here (Shmuel Melika), my uncle who played her (Meir Melika) and my father (Yaron Melika). I was a kid and too young so never had a chance to see them all play but heard all the stories so to experience this myself with these fans was an amazing experience.”
On the chance he was given from Zarko Lazetic and the goalkeepers’ hierarchy at Maccabi, Melika added: “I have a great relationship with him. I am delighted the coach gave me the opportunity and that he and his staff trust me. I joined Maccabi knowing that I will be the second choice keeper and obviously everything is dynamic in football. I believe that I worked hard enough in the training camp and in training back in Israel to prove that I deserve to be Maccabi’s second choice keeper.”
On playing his first ever match at Bloomfield, Melika said: “It was an amazing feeling. During the first half the fans were behind me and I heard every chant they made. It is fulfilling a dream. I believed this moment would come. If you would have told me a year ago, when I was playing for Maccabi Petah Tikva’s youth team that I would be playing in the Semi Final of the Toto Cup and we’d reach the final – I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“I am a 100% ready and fully aware of the demands at the highest level in Israel” Melika added: “I feel ready and hope that in the future I will be given the chance to show what I am worth. I trust my progress and will continue to work hard. Roy Mishpati is an excellent goalkeeper and I am learning a lot from him.”
