Hapoel Be'er Sheva Coach Apologizes After 4-1 Loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv

Hapoel Be'er Sheva's coach, Ran Kozuch, apologized to the team's supporters following a significant 4-1 defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv in a league match on Monday. The reigning champions were described by Kozuch as "very weak" and "very lax" during the game, which concluded the third round of the Israeli Premier League. Kozuch admitted the team "did not show up from the start" and that the first goal conceded was "very random" and led to the team falling apart, though he dismissed the idea that their recent Champions League elimination was a factor.

"There is no connection, and if there is, there shouldn't be," Kozuch stated regarding the Champions League exit. "What we did there, we did there. Hapoel Be'er Sheva needs to look different, but we shouldn't tie it to Europe. Everyone among us would have signed up for the Europa League at the start, we need to be realistic. This is the situation and we will deal with it."

Goalkeeper Ofir Marciano echoed the sentiment of a poor performance, acknowledging that while the team discussed their championship status at halftime, they failed to demonstrate the character that led to their title. "We rose and fell on our character and knowing not to lose our heads," Marciano said. He also addressed the Champions League elimination as a "big miss" and a "scar that will remain with us," but emphasized the need to focus on the present and future.

Regarding the red card shown to Eliel Peretz for arguing with the referee, Kozuch indicated that the matter would be handled internally. When asked about the team's prospects for the championship, Kozuch expressed hope and belief but stressed the need for action over words.