Maccabi Petah Tikva Overcomes Bnei Sakhnin 2-1 in Doha to Start Season Strong

Maccabi Petah Tikva secured a 2-1 victory over Bnei Sakhnin on Saturday in Doha, marking their first perfect start to the season since 2020 with six points from two matches. The win came after a comeback fueled by goals from Samuel Owusu and Liran Hazan. Bnei Sakhnin, coached by Yossi Abuksis, managed only one point after the defeat.

Abuksis reflected on a critical moment before halftime when his team conceded the equalizer following an injury to Dimitri Kabara. He explained that the delay in substitution due to Kabara's injury led to a defensive error and the goal against them. Abuksis expressed frustration over missed opportunities to extend the lead and acknowledged the need to strengthen the squad with two or three additional players, noting the current lack of available Israeli or foreign players to sign.

Sakhnin player Hajjaj commented on the team's good start but lamented conceding before halftime. He remains optimistic about upcoming reinforcements and the team's future despite the setback. He also addressed a recent unpleasant incident involving fans of Maccabi Netanya, emphasizing the desire to focus on football and enjoyment.

Maccabi Petah Tikva's coach Ziv Arie praised his team's performance, highlighting improvements made in the second half and the importance of building confidence through victories. He stressed the need for continued development and tactical discipline, particularly for players like Liran Hazan, who contributed significantly to the win. Hazan expressed happiness over scoring and winning, focusing on team goals and looking ahead to the next match against Hapoel Tiberias.

The match underscored Maccabi Petah Tikva's positive momentum early in the season and Bnei Sakhnin's challenges with injuries and squad depth as they seek to improve their standing.