Avi Rikan, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s left back discussed his side’s crucial victory away at Kiryat Shemona in Matchday Ten of the Liga Ha’Al. Number 22 spoke about his recent injury, collecting three points and the importance of the win:
“It wasn’t one of our best games to be honest from a lot of different parameters, but there were plenty of matches that we played well and didn’t take points, so it was most important for us to leave here with three points. The win took a lot of pressure off of us and it was great to be able to celebrate the way we did at the end of the match. It’s been a long time since we were so happy.”
About Vidar Kjartansson:
“He wasn’t with for the last couple of weeks because he was with his National Team but he came back very quiet and very confident. He has a very different type of attitude, more European and doesn’t take everything to heart. Today he scored a brace and he has plenty more to offer. I’m sure we will see this over the course of the upcoming matches and we’re very happy for him.”
Coming back:
“We gave up a goal and were able to come back. There were recent matches where we gave up a goal and weren’t able to find an equalizer. I know that scoring in the last few seconds of the match will give us a good push and it showed our character.”
More on the match:
“We know how to play well and we will do just that going forward. There have been many matches where we played very well and didn’t take any points, let’s be happy with the three points, improve and look ahead as this win will give all of us some confidence both because we took points and because of some of the individual efforts by certain players.”
Returning from injury:
“I had been injured for a while and it was very hard for me to come back. I don’t want to say it, but thankfully I haven’t been injured much during my short career. Every injury that I come back from I want to return even stronger than before. This time it was tough and I didn’t come back in great shape, but I’ll always be there for the club at a moment’s notice to help out.”
