Maccabi Tel Aviv qualified to the Toto Cup final after beating Bnei Sakhnin 5-1 at Doha stadium. An emotional moment was registered when Idan Nachmias made a second half substitute appearance for the first time in 8 months since suffering a knee injury.
“I think this is one of the most emotional moments I experienced” Nachmias admitted. “It is an injury which took me out months to come back from. Only those who know this injury is aware of what it takes. Two training sessions a day of work in the gym. Eight months is difficult to grasp, but I was lucky to have an amazing staff which supported me both physically and mentally. There were so many people in our medical staff who supported me in every moment” Nachmias continued. “There are many people who deserve credit but I will mention Dr Dror Lindner, Yoni Hernovic our Head Physiotherapist, Ilan Richardson, Sagiv Mizrahi and Yossi Zigdon who supported me in the toughest of moments.”
When Nachmias was introduced in the 75th minute, he received a gesture from Eran Zahavi who asked Enric Saborit to pass on the captain’s armband to the central defender who was touched: “This is one of the kindest and most emotional gestures someone ever did to me in my life. For those who don’t know him, Eran, is one of the most manly people you will come across. I thanked him for his gesture already three times. I really appreciate this gesture. It is something that is not taken for granted. To wear the Maccabi captain’s armband is crazy especially for me. All I am left to say is thank you.”
On the match itself, Nachmias concluded: “I think that part of this was the result was in our favor and the coach also deserves a credit for introducing me as a substitute. It was very pleasing.”
