Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Itay Shechter entered the history books on Monday and became the team’s first player to score a goal at the new Bloomfield Stadium when his injury time solo effort sealed a 2-0 win over Hapoel Beersheba.
“I’m so happy, I want to first of all thank (outgoing CEO) Ben Mansford, a dear man who has played a vital role in bringing me to Maccabi and I want to wish him all the best for the future,” an ecstatic Shechter said after the win.
“This is a super-important victory, we knew the match would be tough and there would be a great battle on the pitch but I’m pleased and we move forward.”
In discussing Maccabi’s abilities this season, he said: “It’s true that last season we were better in the top third of the pitch and we knew that this season would be more difficult and we didn’t expect to open a big gap from the outset. We give our all in training and it’s clear for everybody to see that we are formidable opponents. Teams with good defences are usually the ones who end up with titles and I believe that in the past year other clubs have prepared better to face us, which is why our task is that much more difficult. “Often teams play with three central defenders but regardless, we do need to create more chances.”
He said that the defence and the midfield were all creating a strong side but said that not many sides had created many chances against Maccabi since the start of the league. All that was now left was for the attacking unit to pick up the pace.
“I’m certain that the forwards will also improve,” he said.
The 32-year-old ended by committing to playing on for a few more years and giving his best.
“I work hard and do my best at every training session, I believe that I have a few more good years left in me.”
