Maccabi Tel Aviv takes on Hapoel Raanana this evening on Matchday 34 of the WINNER League at the Netanya Stadium, 20:55. The Yellow-and-Blue come into the game after a goalless draw with Hapoel Beer Sheva and behind the first place side by 3-points.
Dor Peretz spoke to Lior Timor on the Maccabi-Cast about how the players are feeling and looked ahead to the last few matches of the campaign:
“It’s clear that we believe we have a chance to win the title until the final whistle of the final match is sounded. We will play right until the end.”
The last match against Hapoel Beer Sheva:
“We were definitely disappointed because we gave everything we had especially in the second half we should have won and could have scored a goal or two. But that’s in the past and we have to look forward to give it all. As footballers we know that anything and everything can happen and we will believe right until the end and give everything we have.”
Not being able to score goals over the last three matches:
“I don’t think that pressure or luck plays a factor here. We had terrific chances that just didn’t go in. Our players know how to score but it just didn’t happen.”
On the battle for first place:
“There’s no question that Beer Sheva deserves a ton of credit for the year they are having but we are only concerned about ourselves and we are giving it our all and we hope that we will finish in first place.”
His year on a personal level:
“This year still hasn’t finished for both the club and myself. But I’ve gained a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge. I started at the beginning of the year and then came off the bench and now again I am starting. I am growing and it’s also not a simple procedure.”
On playing many positions:
“I’ve played almost everyone of them and it’s part of my education this season. It’s giving me the ability to play so many different positions and it only enhances what I can do.”
Learning from Gal Alberman:
“Certainly I’ve learned a lot from being with Gal Alberman. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to play with him and see what he does on and off of the pitch.”
Where he can improve:
“I’m working on scoring and I’m happy that I had a bunch of chances to score. I never had this amount of opportunities at any level of play. So perhaps this is where I have to improve my game.”
About his brother Reef:
“We are very similar and also very different at the same time. He plays for Hapoel Ramat Gan now and I have plenty to learn from him and from his experiences.”
The State Cup Final:
“There’s no question that we want to go into the State Cup final against Maccabi Haifa on a good roll and every win is good for us now to make sure we enter that match in tip top shape.”
The dream of playing for the Yellow-and-Blue:
“For sure this was a dream to be here and play for Maccabi. Going through the youth levels and now being on the senior team. It’s something that I don’t take for granted.”
