Hamoudi Kanaan Deserves More Playing Time, Says Cousin

Hapoel Be'er Sheva defeated Hapoel Petah Tikva 2-0 on Sunday, with Hamoudi Kanaan scoring and assisting in the victory. Following the match, his cousin and former player Islam Kanaan spoke about Hamoudi's situation in an interview with "5 Ba'avir." Islam emphasized that consistent playing time is crucial for a player's dominance, stating that Hamoudi's lack of minutes at Be'er Sheva had hindered him. He expressed happiness for Hamoudi's performance, hoping it proved he deserves to be on the field for Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Islam Kanaan acknowledged the significant injuries Hamoudi has overcome, including a torn cruciate ligament, which he personally experienced. He deferred questions about Hamoudi's playing time to the coach, noting that Hamoudi is currently physically fit. He praised Hamoudi's mental strength throughout his time at Be'er Sheva, where expectations were high, and expressed hope that both the player and the club would benefit from him receiving more opportunities, highlighting his individual ability and impact on the game.

While Hamoudi is happy at Be'er Sheva, Islam admitted he personally wished Hamoudi had joined Maccabi Haifa. He recounted Hamoudi's strong desire to join Be'er Sheva and his fantastic return to form. Islam urged the club's professional and management staff to continue believing in Hamoudi.

Regarding Hamoudi being left out of the squad against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Islam stated he personally didn't understand the decision, attributing it to the coaching staff. He suggested that if he were in Hamoudi's position, he would demand an explanation from the coach about his status. Hamoudi took the team's elimination from the cup against Maccabi Tel Aviv hard. Islam described Hamoudi's relationship with coach Kozuch as strictly professional.

Islam Kanaan also addressed Hamoudi's frustration, mentioning a kicked water bottle as an acceptable way for a player to express himself when not being utilized, though he personally dislikes such behavior as a youth coach. He concluded by stating that player stability requires several factors, including luck, and that Hamoudi's injuries were a significant stroke of bad luck. He reiterated that Hamoudi needs to receive the playing time he deserves, which could pave the way for a national team call-up.