Hapoel Be'er Sheva Coach Defends Players Amidst Criticism
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Hapoel Be'er Sheva achieved a 2-1 comeback victory against Hapoel Jerusalem on Sunday, securing vital league points after a European fixture. Coach Ran Kozuch strongly defended players Djibril Diop, Igor Zlatanovic, and Ofir Marciano against public and media criticism during a press conference. Kozuch asserted his professional responsibility and called for community support for all team members, despite acknowledging that mistakes are inevitable.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Be'er Sheva came from behind to defeat Hapoel Jerusalem 2-1 in a league match.
- Coach Ran Kozuch defended players Djibril Diop, Igor Zlatanovic, and Ofir Marciano against criticism.
- Kozuch stated that fans should be ashamed of the criticism directed at Djibril Diop.
- The team secured three points after playing a European match with significant lineup changes.
- Kozuch emphasized his responsibility for player selection and the need for team support.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem on Sunday, completing a comeback after conceding an early goal. The team expressed satisfaction with the win, especially considering they played after a European match and with significant lineup changes. "It easily could have ended in a loss or a draw. We came after a European game, with huge changes in the lineup. We fell behind and many teams would have lost points," a source from the club stated. "But we knew how to slowly grind out the win. Two great goals by Ougrissa were disallowed, and in the end, thanks to Zlatanovic and all the players, we took three points. That's what matters in the end. Three times we transitioned from Europe to the league and three times we won. That's the main story."
Coach Ran Kozuch used the post-match press conference to address criticism directed at player Djibril Diop, who faced backlash after recent losses, similar to a previous incident. Kozuch defended Diop, stating, "Regarding Diop, we should be ashamed of the witch hunt surrounding Djibril Diop. I see Hapoel Be'er Sheva as a community. I can also make mistakes. I make many mistakes, but that doesn't mean you can blame one person, when during the goal we conceded in Holland, there were mistakes by other players besides Djibril. If Djibril Diop wasn't good enough for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, he wouldn't be here."
Kozuch also highlighted other players who have faced criticism, mentioning Igor Zlatanovic, who was initially deemed not good enough for the club, and goalkeeper Ofir Marciano. "When Igor Zlatanovic arrived at Hapoel Be'er Sheva, they said he was a good striker for Netanya but not for Hapoel Be'er Sheva," Kozuch recalled. He also recounted an incident where fans entered the first training session to assault Marciano, questioning his level. "We see his level now. In my opinion, Ofir is the best in the country."
Kozuch concluded by emphasizing his professional responsibility for player selection and the need to respect the coaching staff's decisions. He stressed the importance of supporting all team members within the Hapoel Be'er Sheva community, acknowledging that mistakes are part of the process.
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