Hapoel Be'er Sheva Coach Addresses Team's Resilience After Victory

Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Hapoel Petah Tikva at the Moshava Stadium on Sunday, bouncing back from a previous loss to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Coach Ran Kozuch highlighted the team's mental fortitude, stating, "We are heading into a difficult week with many absences, and the situation in the standings and our spirit after Maccabi were not at their peak. It was a solid, mature, and very determined performance." He emphasized the importance of rebuilding player confidence after the disappointing match against Maccabi Tel Aviv, noting the team's challenges with squad rotation and a heavy schedule.

Kozuch explained player substitutions, including that of Forson, who requested to be substituted due to fatigue after a long period without playing significant minutes. "He felt a bit overloaded and asked to be substituted, which is natural after a long time without playing," Kozuch said. He also touched upon the upcoming European campaign, stressing the need for humility against strong opponents and setting a goal to perform well, starting with a match against Dinamo Zagreb.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva player Idan Nachmias echoed the coach's sentiments, calling the win "breathing room" and expressing satisfaction with a clean sheet. He credited the coaching staff for providing optimal conditions and believes the team is well-prepared for future challenges, including their European aspirations.

Conversely, Hapoel Petah Tikva coach Omer Peretz acknowledged Be'er Sheva's dominance but felt his team had opportunities, particularly in the second half. "Be'er Sheva controlled, but there weren't many real chances for either side," Peretz stated. He noted that the goal conceded gave Be'er Sheva momentum and prevented a comeback. Peretz also discussed the team's ongoing efforts to strengthen the squad, with plans for two more signings, including a replacement striker for the departed Rivolia.

Yazan Nasser, a player for Hapoel Petah Tikva, admitted his team was outplayed by a strong Be'er Sheva side, especially after a poor start to the second half. "If you are not focused against Be'er Sheva, you are punished, and unfortunately, that happened," Nasser said. Despite the loss, he expressed confidence in the team's potential and the need for harder work to achieve better results, looking ahead to their next match against Maccabi Haifa.