Avi Rikan, the Yellow & Blue midfielder/defender spoke about his side’s 2:0 win over Bnei Yehuda on Matchday 7 of the Israel Premier League while also complimenting Vidar and Rajiko for advancing to the World Cup plus taking the points:
“We won and that’s what’s important. We know how we played today and we certainly look at how we performed, but we are still happy to take the points. There were matches that we may have played better but didn’t take the points, it was important that we won as we have a tough week ahead with a Europa League match on Thursday and a flight coming up. It’s always better to get ready for the next match after a win.”
Beginning of the season:
“We are just at the start of the season and we did play well in some of the games. Of course we are always happy to win even if we didn’t play our best. The draws and the win today came after we had played well, we just have to keep working hard and play well for the whole match. We need to know how to score when we do play well and even if we weren’t playing our best, we were working hard on the pitch. I’m happy we scored the second goal and that we didn’t give up any today.”
Injuries and illnesses:
“Unfortunately, injuries are part of football and it happens throughout the season, plus getting sick which we saw plenty this week. It happens and that’s why we have a large squad and everyone works hard. Some will play more, some less. We all hope that whoever is hurt will come back quickly and that there will be fewer injuries and illnesses.”
About Kjartansson and Rajikovic advancing to the World Cup with Iceland and Serbia respectively:
“We’re very happy for Vidar and for Rajiko that they were able to advance to the World Cup and his goal was a nice present too. We try to do the best we can for the strikers and that they can score but sometimes there are just periods where the ball isn’t going into the goal. Vidar has scored and will continue to score and we all know what he can do. We’re happy for him.”
Upcoming match against Astana:
“We have a very important match on Thursday and Astana is an excellent club that has also featured in the Champions League, so we will have to come into the contest ready to go because we have only one point after 2 matches. We will rest and come in ready to take home a good result on Thursday.”
His personal play:
“I played a lot in the midfield at the beginning of the season and Jordi knows where I can play. Due to Ofir Davidzada’s illness, who has been playing very well this season, I played as a defensive back and I gave it my all like I always do. The club knows what I can do in the midfield and I’m sure I’ll play there again this season. I’ll give it my all every second that I’m on the pitch.”
