Dor Peretz scored two goals in the space of three second half minutes to help Maccabi pull an impressive comeback that kept his side in the race for the league title. The 29-year-old midfielder scored his 10th league goal and 17 in all competitions this season to clinch three valuable points. The victory saw Maccabi go level on points with Hapoel Be’ersheva that still have a game in hand, a week before they travel to Bloomfield stadium for next Monday’s top-of the table clash. Peretz, who captained the side that showed plenty of character as they came-back from an early Dor Hugi goal, said at the end: “Once again we returned from a goal down which is not easy. It was a very difficult match against an excellent side, an opponent of the highest level. I am delighted we showed a lot of character and determination despite conceding an early goal and played all the way to the end.”
As the gap from Be’ersheva was reduced and now only goal difference separates between the two sides, Peretz said: “The gap was three points but stands on zero. Now it depends on them. When you are at a club that wishes to win things there is always pressure. We are always aiming for the championship, the cup and Europe. But this is why there are such players, staff and management to divert this pressure to good places.”
Peretz whose goals proved vital for Maccabi this season, added: “I have a great desire to help the team as much as possible. There are moments when a player will give the rest of the team energy and it could be any player – Weslley Patati, through to Joris van Overeem and the defense. We did our job today, and now let us wait and see what Be’ersheva will do in their match.”
