Hapoel Be'er Sheva Defender Credits Team Focus After Dominant Win

Hapoel Be'er Sheva secured a decisive 5-2 victory over Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer Stadium on Monday, following a previous 4-0 loss. The win, particularly strong in the second half, propels Be'er Sheva back into the championship race. Defender Miguel Vítor, who played his third match in eight days, expressed satisfaction with his physical condition and the team's performance. "We showed how strong we are as a team," Vítor stated. "We suffered in the first half, and the goal we scored made the difference from recent games where we suffered but didn't score."

Vítor downplayed the notion of a "statement" win, emphasizing the importance of the three points and the team's ability to demonstrate its capabilities and "soul." He added, "This victory is mainly for us, to believe in ourselves that we can do something big this season." Vítor also commented on the team's ability to perform when focused solely on football, noting, "When we focus only on football, it's hard to play against us."

Addressing criticism directed at teammate Djibril Diop, Vítor offered support, saying, "This is the life of a footballer. You have to be ready for criticism. Of course, it's not nice, but you need to be strong." He highlighted how one or two games can change perceptions and stated, "We are helping him every day, so he doesn't feel bad and to bring back his confidence. He doesn't need to pay attention to the noise and focus on himself."

Vítor also shared his positive experience living in Israel and specifically in Be'er Sheva, stating, "I feel at home here, in Israel, in Be'er Sheva. Even when there are difficulties, I feel part of this country." He expressed happiness with both his personal life and his role with the team, which motivates him to arrive at training with joy.