Yoav Ziv, veteran Maccabi left back, admits the team have had a rough patch but adds: "We went into the match to put an end to it and that's what we did"
Even after just four outings without a win, there's no denying that on the eve of the team's home tie against Bnei Sakhnin a bit of nostalgia for the "good ole' days" had crept into the Maccabi camp. The last time the team had got the best of their opponent was at the Tel Aviv derby at the beginning of February, but much like the beginning also the end of the month finished on a high note. Last night's 2-0 victory at Bloomfield Stadium may not have been the team's best performance of the season, but head coach Pako Ayestaran expressed optimism regarding a continued improvement in his players for Wednesday's second leg of the State Cup quarter final against Ironi Kiryat Shmona : "I hope so because the team does not lack confidence. They feel more anxiety because you've got the ball and you hear the noise and it's not easy. For a few players it's even more difficult. But as I said before, I see them training every day and this is what gives me confidence because the way you train is normally the way you compete. Their desire, commitment, energy, effort is essential. In this case after this you can be better on your game but I have no doubt we are going to get to the way of playing all of us are looking for".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4zZA1SI_NQ
Asked if the team required any special training after four winless encounters the Spaniard replied: "Not really. The only thing I was afraid of is the anxiety. As soon as we go on the pitch I can see anxiety, but not from the players, from the supporters. I think it's not helping at all. Just like Maccabi Tel Aviv have to starting winning 3-0 in the first five minutes and I have not seen any team winning 3-0 in the first five minutes. I think we are not patient enough and we are not helping". The coach was also not happy with fans jeering when midfielder Nosa Igiebor was substituted in the second half. "For me it's a lack of respect. Lack of respect for a professional that has a Maccabi Tel Aviv shirt, who is committed. If you could see lack of commitment, lack of aggressiveness, lack of effort, I could understand. But nothing of this is in Nosa and I think it's a lack of respect because he makes a mistake and is booed and another player makes a mistake and nothing happens. I think it's disrespectful to make a difference between players and I don't think that this helps because as soon as he's a Maccabi Tel Aviv player I'm going to be backing him because he has been great for the team and he's going to continue being great for the team".
Yoav Ziv, whose last appearance in the first eleven was at the 3-3 draw against Maccabi Netanya on Feb. 8th, started out by talking about the exceptional depth in the Maccabi squad: "We're all part of the team, from the first who may not be playing or appearing in the first eleven to the very last. If you take any position on the pitch, competition is a good thing, also for the guy who gets the nod. Because if his counterpart on the bench isn't constantly out to replace him, he'll get complacent and his performances will suffer. At Maccabi that can't happen".
The veteran defender also had a word to say about the team's recent dip in form and the victory last night that could usher in a change: "Before the match, (team captain) Sheran (Yeini) told us again that the game was a test of our character, that we had to get out there and show what we're worth. After what has admittedly been a month-long run of poor form, both in performances and results, we went into the match to put an end to it and that's what we did".
"We put more into this one, we wanted to prove that all the chatter about personal matters is a lot of rubbish and that we're all part of the team. Tonight the whole team worked, from box to box. The back four stopped Sakhnin in their tracks and the front line did their job".
Dor Micha, who will be celebrating his 23rd birthday tomorrow, began the celebrations early by scoring his second goal of the season last night that sealed Maccabi's victory: "It's a great feeling, we needed that one to boost our confidence, we really wanted to win after a period like the one we've had. Maybe in the first half we were a bit tense, until the goal just before the break. After that we were able to shake off a lot of the pressure".
Much like his coach the young midfielder was inclined to see the positive in last night's performance: "We were very positive, very aggressive and maybe it wasn't the best football we can play, we can play much better, but tonight you saw a lot of commitment and self-sacrifice".
