Hapoel Jerusalem Coach Lior Zada Calls Win 'Rollercoaster' After First Points

Hapoel Jerusalem secured their first points of the season with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Kiryat Shmona on Saturday. The win, achieved at the Rehovot stadium, was described by Jerusalem's coach, Lior Zada, as a "rollercoaster, scandal, and festival" game.

Zada acknowledged the team's strong character in their comeback, particularly after conceding goals, and praised the impact of his substitutes who "brought a lot of energy and momentum." While pleased with the offensive performance, he admitted that the defense needs significant improvement, stating, "We know how to fix it later."

Looking ahead, Zada emphasized a game-by-game approach, stressing that the team is different from last year and possesses advantages they are aware of. He expressed a desire for more aggression from his players and acknowledged the substantial amount of work still ahead for the team, stating, "We know how much work we have ahead of us."

Kiryat Shmona's coach, Shi Brada, took responsibility for the loss, attributing it to "all the possible mistakes" made by his team, especially after taking a 2-1 lead. He noted that these errors were uncharacteristic and led to them being punished.

Brada also addressed the absence of Adrian Roisa, stating that he must work with the available squad and hopes for swift reinforcements, particularly a striker. He acknowledged the club's success in selling players for profit but highlighted the challenge of rebuilding the team simultaneously. Brada concluded that the loss was not due to player absences but rather fundamental mistakes.