A big celebration broke out after Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 1:0 Derby win over Hapoel Tel Aviv at Bloomfield Stadium with the help of Carlos Garcia’s 86th minute header goal. The players partied hard with the fans on the pitch after the game as the city was painted Yellow-and-Blue once again. After the singing and dancing, Gili Vermouth spoke about his feelings on the match, looked ahead to Porto and his relationship with the fans:

“This was an important victory. It’s funny that some wrote us off after losses in the Toto Cup and the Champions League. We lost to Beitar last match but we played well even though we didn’t take the points. To win the Derby is important to boost our morale and of course on the league table.”

Feelings about playing in a Derby:

“A league Derby is much more exciting than one in the Toto Cup. I was really excited tonight. When I go onto the pitch I only deal with the game and I’m happy we won. Over the last two months I feel that I’ve really been part of the team and that I’m in good shape. My job is to help the club win games and if I can score or add some assists then that’s terrific also.”

Relationship with the fans:

“When I’m even better the cheering will be even stronger, that’s how it works and it’s fine by me.”

What does the team need to do to win on Wednesday:

“We have to be more daring. We have to play to score and win the game. It’s possible.”

The win was dedicated to two people:

“It’s important for us to dedicate the win to Nimrod our physiotherapist and to Yuval Shpungin as both had children this week.”