Following Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Hapoel Be’ersheva, Maccabi turn their attention from the league to the State Cup as they face Ironi Kiryat Shmona in the Round of 16.
Maccabi’s coach Mladen Krstajic and striker Osama Khalaila spoke ahead of the match against the side that netted six times against Nof Hagallil at the weekend to record their sixth victory in the last seven matches. “We followed their last match” Krstajic said, “They scored plenty of goals and are currently in good form. We only have two-three days to prepare for the match but we will be ready”.
On the ‘Serbian derby’ which will see him line-up against fellow countryman Slobodan Drapjic, Krstajic added: “I have a lot of respect for him and the work he has done in Israel. He has been here for many years and I am certain it will be a good game”.
Khalaila, who scored the winning goal against Be’ersheva and will return to the ground where he scored his debut league goal for Maccabi, added: “Our heads are already focused on Tuesday. We are expecting an extremely difficult match at a very tough ground but hopefully we will complete the task and advance to the next stage”.
