Arveladze: 'It's hard to be so close but not get through.'

Despite winning the game, the pain of defeat could be seen on the face of the Tel Aviv manager Shota Arveladze as his men missed out on a place in the last 32 buy just a point.

 

"I guess it's hard to be so close but not get through,” he told the press in a subdued Netanya Stadium following his side's 2-1 win over Dundalk.

 

“The Netanya Stadium was in full voice but at the end of the day we have done our job, I believe.

 

“The result in Holland means its disappointment of course. They reminded me of the team I want to see. We did have a good game.”

 

The former Georgia international and Ajax playmaker commented on how his team played against Dundalk and was full of praise for the Irish side.

 



“It's difficult to play against them. They play really close. They always close you well. [They are a] good, organised team – not many teams create a lot of chances against them.

 

“But I think we have done open nice football and got the result.”

 

The manager was also quick to point to his squad's long season to date.

 



"We stated on June 30th this campaign and it was quite long and I believe we represented the country with honour.

 

“We always show that the team goes out to play football you like and that we are used to it. I think Maccabi has much more to show again in next year's European cups.

 

Reflecting on a match and turning point that cost his side this particular campaign, he added: "Of course after losing 3-0 against Zenit. (Maccabi were 3-0 up and lost 3-4).

 

“I would also go about changing the way we played in Ireland and not going just for a win. But is after the 3-0 lead and we collapsed. That was the turning point.

 

Finally, he made reference to the mood in his squad.

 

"When the players see the stadium and see the fans get excited that helps the players. It's always difficult to play these games as we are looking at the time and also looking at other results. It's about the chances you get. It's about a balance in this moment.”

 

Asked if he will be the coach of Maccabi this coming weekend, Arveladze replied sharply: “I'm not the one who decides that.”

 

After twelve games in the Israeli premier league, Maccabi are 10 point off leaders Hapoel Be'er Sheva, who drew with Southampton to progress to this years UEFA Europa League latter stages.