Maccabi qualified to the State Cup final after a 3-0 victory over Maccabi Akhi Nazareth. Coach Pako: “We didn’t play well today”
The State Cup semi-final took place at Teddy Stadium this evening and at the end of the second match Maccabi Tel Aviv qualified to the final after defeating Maccabi Akhi Nazareth 3-0. Coach Pako Ayestaran who led Maccabi to the this stage after a decade spoke about the accomplishment :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yhz8HYJh1Y
“It is clear to all that we didn’t play well. We haven’t played this way throughout the season. It’s clear to me that we could have spoiled it to ourselves but we managed to make it to the final anyway. We saw in the playoffs that we are in great form. Today however, especially in the first half, we had one of our worst performances. I don’t think we will beat Be’er Sheva with this performance. I am also asking myself why we played the way we did, especially when we have good enough players to win. I made the substitutions that I thought would impact the game”.
Coach Pako also talked about the squad rotation:
“Dor Micha wasn’t in the roster because we have a deep squad. There are many players like like Gael Margulies, who deserve to play. I wanted to reward him for his commitment in training. I think that the players who were on the pitch tonight are good enough to win. I wouldn’t change my decision before or after the game. The players in the squad should get their chance to play. A player who is committed to the team will get a chance to perform in order to show he can stay here next season”.
