Barak Itzhaki returned in a big way to the Yellow-and-Blue’s Starting XI by scoring a gorgeous header goal while drawing a penalty after being tripped up in the box to help Maccabi complete a 3:2 win over Sakhnin that propels the club into the Final against Maccabi Haifa.
The striker discussed his goal and the not sending the ball out prior to his goal: “There’s always time wasting against us at the beginning of the match and we decided that we weren’t going to give back the ball or send it out to stop play. To complain about Tal Ben Chaim is absurd and Ali Osman played 90 minutes. I saw the replays and when the ball went out, Ali was still on his feet. In the following match we would do the exact same thing. Sakhnin is a god team, but the better team won the match.”
Monday’s match against Sakhnin at Doha Stadium:
“I’m sure it will be hard to play at Doha and we’re prepared for that. They are a very good club and if we want to reach our goals we will have to jump over this hurdle.”
The State Cup final and his personal feelings:
“I feel great and I’m very happy that I had a chance to play and it’s what I love to do best whether I start or if I come off of the bench. I’m adapting to things and I’m sure the final will be very interesting as its the “Israeli Classico”. Beer Sheva is in good form but for me the Classico is Maccabi Tel Aviv against Maccabi Haifa.”
