Jerusalem and Sakhnin Draw 1-1 After Disappointing Match

Hapoel Jerusalem and Bnei Sakhnin played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at Teddy Stadium, following a disappointing 90 minutes of play. Modestos Vorviev was the first to score in the 18th minute, but Damashkan equalized in the 49th minute, leading to a shared point for both teams.

Hapoel Jerusalem coach Yossi Abuksis expressed regret, stating that his team should have secured the win in the first half when they were leading. He acknowledged a mistake by the goalkeeper that led to the equalizer, which he felt allowed Sakhnin back into the game and caused his team to lose focus. Abuksis noted that despite the draw, they maintained their distance from the relegation zone, considering a tie not a disaster for a team in their position. He also mentioned a missed opportunity by Daniel Perskyv as a sign that it wasn't their day.

Abuksis further commented on the game, recognizing Sakhnin as a team fighting for survival. He praised his team's performance in the first half, emphasizing that failure to score a second goal always leaves room for conceding from a mistake. He also addressed player substitutions, believing that new players will contribute positively in the future.

Bnei Sakhnin's coach Lior Zada felt his team played well in the second half and conceded an "annoying goal" in the first half. He admitted that chasing the game against Sakhnin is difficult and scoring against them is challenging. Zada suggested that while a draw might have been a fair result, the team desperately wanted to win, and the feeling of settling for a tie became apparent towards the end.

Zada also critiqued his team's play, stating that their ball possession did not lead to results and Sakhnin's low defensive setup was effective. He noted that they eventually found success by playing more directly to Damashkan and Dafah. He reflected on the team's season, acknowledging past criticisms of being creative but disorganized, and highlighted their ability to come back from behind as a positive takeaway. He indicated that the team would rest during the upcoming international break and work on improvements.

Player Vitali Damashkan focused on the positive aspect of securing an important point, admitting the team's poor performance and lack of chances in the first half. He was pleased with the halftime adjustments that led to a change in the second half. Damashkan expressed belief in the team's stability and the need to start games better. He also spoke about his excitement for his first derby match after the break.

Iyad Abu Abid described the draw as a fair result, feeling his team did not maintain sufficient possession and lacked patience. He acknowledged that they created 2-3 clear chances that should have been converted, similar to the opponent. Abu Abid stated that the team would work on improving their attack during the break, emphasizing that offensive play starts with the defense. He concluded by stressing the importance of focusing on the next game rather than looking too far ahead.