Gabi Kanichowsky praised the team’s character for a fine display as Maccabi beat Bnei Sakhnin 3-1 at Bloomfield stadium. Idan Nachmias was shown a red card shortly before the interval while Abdallah Khalaikhal equalized Weslley Patati’s goal before the Brazilian restored the lead and Dor Turgeman sealed the win.
Kanichowsky spoke on the character his teammates showed on the night: “To receive a red card at such an early stage, to bounce back from an equalizer we conceded in the 78th with 10 men is proof of our character and we did it. It was a tough match, but I am happy with the outcome.”
Kanichowsky refused to be drawn to any comment on refereeing matters as he insisted: “We must focus on ourselves, not the referees or their decisions as it takes us out of the game. This is proof of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s character. To take points with 10 men – matches like this win championships. Our fans really pushed us today. I don’t think that this was a matter of being fresh but more of mentality. We know that this is the run in of the season as every point is important.”
When asked about his ambition to move abroad when his contract runs out, Kanicowsky said: “I am not hiding my ambition to go and play in Europe. But in recent years Maccabi Tel Aviv is like playing abroad as we play in Europe every season. At the moment I am a 100% focused on Saturday’s match against Bnei Reineh and I hope that the fans will turn up in numbers and push us.”
