Sabah Coach Dambrauskas Says Team Has Nothing To Lose Ahead Of Crucial Be'er Sheva Clash

Ahead of the UEFA Champions League playoff second leg on Tuesday evening, Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas spoke to Sport 5 about his team's chances against Hapoel Be'er Sheva. The match, set for 19:45 with live broadcast on 5SPORT, could see Be'er Sheva qualify for the Champions League group stage for the first time if they avoid defeat.

Dambrauskas reflected on the first leg, noting that while Sabah conceded an unlucky goal in the first half, they struggled in the second half as Be'er Sheva dominated possession and scored a deserved second goal. He acknowledged Be'er Sheva's strength but emphasized that Sabah has nothing to lose going into the home leg. "If you told any playoff team they'd reach this stage trailing by one goal, they'd accept it," he said.

The coach expressed confidence in his players' ability to improve and handle pressure, recalling his previous experience in 2021 with Ludogorets when they overcame a two-goal deficit but ultimately fell short. He stressed the importance of some luck, similar to what Be'er Sheva had in the first match, and said, "The sky is the limit." Dambrauskas also lamented the lack of fans in the stadium, which diminishes the atmosphere and home advantage.

The game represents a historic opportunity for both clubs, with Sabah aiming to overturn the deficit and Be'er Sheva seeking to secure a milestone qualification. Dambrauskas remains optimistic about his team's chances and the possibility of making history on home soil.