Hapoel Be'er Sheva Coach Kozuch Proud but Cautious Ahead of Champions League Return Leg

Hapoel Be'er Sheva coach Ran Kozuch expressed satisfaction yet caution following his team's 2-1 comeback victory over Sabah in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on August 19, 2026. The win places the Israeli club just 90 minutes away from advancing to the Champions League group stage, with the decisive second leg scheduled next week in Baku. Kozuch praised his players' hard work and tactical discipline, noting the team's preparation for Sabah's dangerous counterattacks and transitions, which led to Sabah's opening goal. He emphasized the need for precision and acknowledged Sabah's strengths in transitional play.

Kozuch also reflected on the goal conceded, explaining that their defensive approach, which involves pressing the opponent deep and crowding their defense, can lead to risky mistakes. He acknowledged Sabah's significant scoring chances but remained optimistic about improving in the upcoming match. Highlighting the difficulty of playing in Baku, Kozuch referenced Danish club Aarhus's recent results against Sabah as a warning and stressed the importance of humility and focus.

The coach commended his staff for their extensive analysis and preparation efforts, as well as the players for securing the crucial win. He stressed that despite the positive result, the team must treat the upcoming game as a fresh challenge and maintain their performance level to secure qualification. Kozuch concluded by saying the players are mature enough to reset and prepare immediately for the next match, underscoring that this victory is only halfway to their ultimate goal.