Maccabi Tel Aviv ended their European season following a 2-0 defeat away to Nice in the Conference League Play-Off return leg. The defeat on the night was sealed by an extra time wonder goal by Alexis Beka Beka which saw Maccabi lose 2-1 on aggregate and denied a place in the Conference League Group phase.
Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz which could have done nothing to keep out the goal which tilted the tie in the French teams’ favor, summed up the mood in the camp. “It is really disappointing as we felt we were really in the game, created chances and dominated the play. To concede such a goal is probably from god but we remain positive and looking forward to a long season”.
The young keeper couldn’t hide his disappointment at being knocked out by a superior French side who managed to win despite being reduced to 10 men: “Nice is an excellent side and the best team we could have drawn at this stage of the competition. We made it difficult for them, we stood well, and I am proud of every single one of my teammates. Everyone gave their best and I can’t fault anyone. We believed in ourselves right from the first minute and even when we conceded we felt all along the way that we are capable of doing it. We never stopped believing until the dying seconds even after conceding the second goal, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be”.
