Eli Dasa, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s right defender spoke about a myriad of topics including his injury, his connection with Vidar Kjartansson, the desire to win the title and his contribution to Maccabi:
“Every player wants to be in a place where they say that you can make a difference. It’s always great to hear compliments but it’s also important that if you want to reach the highest levels you need to do your best. You also have to take into account matches like when we played in Ashdod and I didn’t perform the way I wanted to, it was disappointing. On one hand as a defender I did a good job because we kept a clean sheet but on the other I didn’t have a great game on the attack. You have to understand that there are expectations and that you have to meet them week in and week out. It’s a challenge.”
Returning from injury:
“I’m naturally a strong person and one that will always fight and battle even when I’m under pressure or when I think I’ll lose hope. But actually the exact opposite occurs. I get stronger just as when I came back form my injury. I came back much stronger and I’ll be even more helpful to the team. It was difficult for me as the club was going through a tough time and it was painful as we weren’t fighting for the title yet. We had some poor matches and we were disconnected from the fans.
I hoped that the team would get back on track before I returned, so I made a goal for myself that when I did return I would do everything to help the club get back to the top. There was talk that I’d have to have surgery and that was something that was never even an option. There were other rumors that I was going to retire and I just had to laugh at those. It was just a case that I needed time to heal. Since we are at a club that knows how to keep information confidential and when there is no news that’s when the rumors usually begin.”
Playing well together with Vidar Kjartansson:
“We connected well last season as I assisted on one of his braces and they began a Facebook page in Iceland called “King Dasa”. I know that when I go into the attacking zone I can send the ball into the box and I know that he will be there. He trusts me and he knows that when I have the ball he can make his move and go to a place where I’ll deliver the ball. It’s a huge plus for me that he can score as it helps my stats. He’s an amazing striker and I don’t think that I’ve ever had such a connection with another player before. VIDASA.”
Fighting for the title:
“We’re all hungry to bring the league title back to Maccabi from the physiotherapists, doctors, staff, players and the media team, we all want it especially after the past two seasons. We came back from the dead this campaign and we feel the support from the fans and the club. We want to bring back the championship.”
