Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 2-1 to FK Suduva of Lithuania in their Europa League third qualifying round first leg tie in Netanya but despite the result, stalwart midfielder Dor Micha is not giving up. He summed up his feelings ahead of next week’s return leg in Lithuania.
“This was a bad game for us,” Micha admitted. “Things that went easily for us last season are not going as smoothly at the moment. We do not look good enough but we will need to pick ourselves up and we must go there with the belief that we can do it,” said Micha, who wore the captain’s armband for the encounter.
Set piece goals:
“It is unacceptable to concede two goals at home. In European competition small mistakes are punished severely,” Micha said. “Both the goals that we let in began from corners. One was because of me. I should have put the ball out (for another corner) and this is the price we have paid. We will have to pick ourselves up.”
He added: “I can’t blame anybody for not trying their hardest or wanting to win, but we must recognize the reality that we are facing that we are just not good enough at the moment. I am also part of the team and I am also not at my best, I’m still not in as good form as I would want to be, but I’m not thinking about it any more. We just have to regroup and travel in the belief that we can advance. I think we are a better side (than Suduva) and it’s possible.”
