After facing title rivals Hapoel Beer Sheva at Bloomfield, Maccabi head coach Pako Ayestaran and goalscorer Tal Ben Chaim gave their first reactions to the team's stunning 3-1 victory
Matchday 2 of the top-six playoffs offered Maccabi Tel Aviv the enticing prospect of expanding the gap at the top of the Israeli Premier ("Winner") League table over their nearest rivals Hapoel Beer Sheva, and the league leaders grasped the opportunity with both hands. An Eran Zahavi brace and a fine individual effort by winger Tal Ben Chaim provided the goals and an exultant sell-out crowd at Bloomfield Stadium did the rest. Eight points now separate the two clubs with just eight matches left to the season.
After the match was over, Maccabi head coach Pako Ayestaran acknowledged the significance of the win and stressed the importance of the team's continuing to play at this level. He admitted that at the start of the second half Beer Sheva succeeded in getting back into the match but afterwards Maccabi got the tie back under control. He was very pleased with his substitutions and acknowledged their contribution to the victory, expressing particular delight that long-injured striker Rade Prica has returned to match fitness. While appreciating the growing gap between his own team and their nearest rivals, he added that the season was far from over. Even before the match, the Spaniard confided, he felt the championship was in Maccabi's hands alone.
Tal Ben Chaim, who came in on the hour mark and played a significant role in his team's victory over their southern rivals, had this to say after the match: "We're a better side than they are and that will become clear over time. Our job as players is to be in the top spot and we're close to completing our mission. I'm proud to be a part of this team, any one of us could be in the first eleven and every one of us knows it as well. We've got a top-notch staff who got us fully fit for this match and from the moment we went 2-1 up they were chasing the tie and left themselves exposed at the back. I was able to help us win, and at the end of the day that's what's really important".
