Ramat Gan Coach Compares First Win to 'Birth,' Eyes New Signings

Hapoel Ramat Gan secured their first Israeli Premier League victory in over 13 years, defeating Maccabi Netanya 2-0 on Monday. The win marked Netanya's first loss of the season.

Ramat Gan coach, Massai Dego, described the win as a "birth," reflecting on a difficult week after three consecutive losses. He praised his team's focus on defense against a strong Netanya side and expressed pride in their performance. Dego also indicated that the team is looking to strengthen its roster before the transfer window closes, mentioning potential additions of one or two players and specifically noting his familiarity with Guni Naor's abilities.

Dego highlighted the exceptional performance of goalkeeper Amit Reif, calling him a "special kid" and a "future goalkeeper" whom he trusts. He also cautioned against complacency, looking ahead to their next match against Sakhnin.

Player Guni Naor, making his first start for Ramat Gan, expressed his satisfaction with the debut win and the team's home-field advantage. He spoke about his dedication to training, even when not in the plans at his previous club, Maccabi Haifa, and his desire to be a significant part of Ramat Gan's ongoing process.

On the opposing side, Netanya coach Roni Levy expressed disappointment with the loss, citing defensive lapses and an inability to convert scoring opportunities. He acknowledged that his team gave up goals too easily and failed to match the opponent's intensity at times. Levy mentioned that Netanya is expecting to add a defender and a winger but stressed that the primary change needs to come from within the team. He anticipates a challenging match against Maccabi Tel Aviv next.