On Monday at Sakhnin, Gabi Kanichowsky made his 50th appearance for Maccabi this season during the 1-1 draw which extended the lead at the top of the table to 5 points. Three days later, the 26-year-old midfielder who scored 10 goals and added 11 assists in all competitions faced the media at the press conference ahead of Saturday’s top of the table clash. “We have a five-point-lead and need to continue doing exactly what we did all season. It is not going to change especially now” Kanichowsky said. “We have a caching staff that knows exactly what needs to be done and we as players have been to these situations in the past. It is a privilege to be in such a position.”
While Maccabi sold its’ entire 2850 allocation, Haifa will have a clear advantage in the stands as Sammy Ofer will packed to its 30,000 ,Answering those who suggest the hosts are the clear favorites, Kanichowsky replied: “All those who have been talking about Maccabi all year, can keep talking. We have been top of the table all season as we know what we need to do” he added. “For every player, to be part of such a game is fun and a privilege. I don’t deal with what is written or said and I don’t think that whoever is here deals with it either. We managed to do something amazing this season and we need to continue doing exactly that.”
With four matches left till the end of the season and 12 points still left to play for, Kanichowsly was asked on Haifa’s need to win while his side could suffice with a draw: “I am not bothered with what Haifa need, as a Maccabi player we aim to win every match even at Sammy Ofer. We really come to win because this is our mentality.”
When asked about the video clip the club produced in memory of his late close friend Shauli Greenglick who was killed in action in Gaza, Kanichowsky said: “The forthcoming Memorial Day will be toughest one for all of us. I lost two very close friends of mine. I watched the clip before it was released, it to hear his (Shauli’s) voice is extremely emotional. He has many songs and personally I find it very difficult to listen because it makes me cry every time. This is the situation we have in this country – it is very sad that there are still hostages being held and we are in this situation. The situation in this country is extremely complex.”
