After netting the winning goal in Maccabi's 1-0 Cup victory against Hapoel Ashkelon, Barak Itzhaki expressed optimism: "Hope to score in the league as well"
For the first time in a decade Maccabi Tel Aviv have reached the quarter finals of the prestigious Israeli State Cup after a one-goal victory over Hapoel Ashkelon. At the end of the match, Maccabi head coach Pako Ayestaran was inclined to agree that this was not the team's best performance to date: "I know it was not a great game. We played a very strong team, better than a second division team, but I agree it was not a good performance". Asked about the reasons for the home side's apparent difficulties in breaking down the opposition the Spaniard replied: "First because we had in front a really well organised team and they knew what they had to do. They closed the middle and didn't allow us to join the game in the middle. And secondly because we were not in the right position. More than the right position, the players couldn't find the right body shape to break lines and this way the game was so slow. You realise that after, when we started playing with three, with a holding midfielder going back, the game was a lot easier. With the fullbacks higher we made them spread their midfield wider and we could find better solutions. For me the targets are part of the result, that's really important to get in this game. And when you've got a number of targets it's not easy sometimes, to find the right formation, the right shape. But the Cup ties are the way they are, you know. You followed the FA Cup in England. Five teams in the Premier League were knocked out in just one feature".
The coach was asked what was more important for him, the Cup or the league. Pako: "For a club as Maccabi the most important part of the season has to be the league. But the Cup has its importance as well. The question is, to get the league, sometimes you need players in shape and the only chance for a few players to show themselves is the Cup tie. In this case that's why I said to you before, I didn't want to win this game at any price. I wanted to win this game with the opportunity for a few players to show themselves, to get into sharpness. Some players are coming from injury as you know and they need games to show themselves. And this is one of the targets, a part of the result".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4n9Yc8sKVQ&x-yt-ts=1422411861&x-yt-cl=84924572
For Barak Itzhaki, this was his first goal at Bloomfield Stadium since returning from his long injury. And what better timing than in a Cup tie against the club where he began his footballing career, Hapoel Ashkelon: "That's part of football. I won't deny I have a soft spot for Hapoel Ashkelon and hat's off to them for a great performance. In general they're a well-trained outfit, with a loyal fan base and a coach that knows how to prepare them for the work at hand. But in the end the better team won. We got through a tough assignment, even if it was against a third division side, and I hope that at the end of the season they'll be promoted. That's the great thing about the Cup, I mean look at what happened in England this weekend, all those top teams struggling against lower division sides. The most important thing we'll take from this game is a further run at the Cup".
The veteran striker was happy to share his emotions just after scoring the goal that sent Maccabi through to the quarter finals: "Chills were running down my spine when I scored that goal. It's great to be back on the pitch at Bloomfield after such a difficult patch, I must be the happiest guy in the pack. I must say that these Cup ties suit me perfectly right now, so I can gradually get back to form. Soon I hope to prove I'm fit for league duties as well".
Sean Goldberg, who only last season was a lynchpin in Maccabi's Under-19 squad, made his second Cup appearance this season. He told what it was like to play 90 first-team minutes at Bloomfield Stadium: "I'm really happy to have had this chance to help the team win. Right now I'm a Maccabi player and I'll respect any decision the club make, even if it means a loan spell to help me return a more experienced player. My goal is to get as much playing time as I can at the club I love and grew up in. I'm on the senior team now and that has always been a target my whole life too. So whatever the coach thinks is best, whatever's best for the club, that's what I'll do. I really enjoy the pressure you have here to prove yourself, for me it's something positive, I work better that way".
Early in the second half of last night's match, Maccabi's young international goalkeeper Barak Levy went far off his line to make an heroic save that spared the champions blushes: "Tonight I helped the team, that's my job. Hats off to Hapoel Ashkelon, they came here to fight and they deserve all the credit. We needed to get this mission accomplished and I'm happy we did. Now we'll get ready for the derby next week just like we get ready for every match, we'll hit the ground running and I hope we'll get through that match as well".
