Hapoel Beer Sheva were eliminated from UEFA Champions League contention after falling to Sabah 5-2 (6-4 on aggregate) and will drop down to play in the league stage of the Europa League. Following the match, Head Coach Ran Kozuk reflected on the defeat as well as a myriad of topics about the club.

“Thank you for everything, including this. We learn from things like this and grow stronger. I’ll say two things: I know an Israeli coach who lost a championship title, so I’m in a better place. Second, I’m certain that Hapoel Beer Sheva as a club will return to these places. As for me, everything my staff and I have achieved came after we had initially failed to achieve it.”

“I think we all wanted to reach the Champions League. We knew we had to be worthy of it, and we weren’t. Sabah deserved it; they played a great game. We are a developing team with challenges in the Europa League and the Premier League. I’m very proud of the players. It wasn’t an easy game, but this is our profession. Everything is part of the journey.”

Central defender Djibril Diop was sent off after a second yellow card in the overtime period in what was a controversial call by the referee and Kozuk wanted to be clear that this was not something he was upset about.

“Angry at Diop? I don’t even know what we received the yellow cards for. I’m more angry about the second red card (to Eliel Peretz near the end of the match). The substitutions? They asked to come off and felt they couldn’t continue and I’m happy with their maturity. I had to respond with substitutions and a change in formation. In the end, we conceded a goal half a minute before the end. I think we made good decisions and there were other factors beyond that. Everyone made a huge effort, and I appreciate it. We have good days ahead of us together.”

“I don’t think that Diop was irresponsible with the first yellow card. I’m not sure whether the ball was out or in. Even if it was out, that was one incorrect decision among many things that we did well. As for the fans not wanting a player like Diop, I know a coach who wasn’t wanted either (referring to himself).”

Striker Igor Zlatanovic had to be substituted off at halftime after an injury which caused a real headache for Kozuk, “Zlatanović’s substitution caused us tactical problems. When I saw that we weren’t able to create pressure and that it was forcing us to drop too deep, I decided to drop back. I think it worked and that it was the right decision.”

As for getting over such a dramatic defeat, Kozuk knows that it may take a couple of days but there is plenty of football ahead, “We go to sleep, rest and understand that we have two competitions: the Europa League and the Premier League, which is our bread and butter. Luck is a thousand correct things that you do. I thank God for everything. We will become a better team and I will become a better coach.”

“I’ll say again that I appreciate this moment and am grateful for it. I think that just as Beer Sheva reached this stage once and then again, they will do it again. It won’t be easy, but it will happen. In the end, we didn’t play a good game; we have to tell the truth. We talked a lot about the things Sabah do very well, and we really managed to stop their transitions, but we failed on set pieces. That’s part of the game.”

The entire qualification process was a journey and one that expectations grew as each game went by, “At first, we dreamed about the Conference League. Then the results led us to dream about the Europa League, and then the Champions League. The players need to be proud of themselves and understand how we can do it again, become Israeli champions. We’ll have to do our best, together with doing our best in the Europa League.”

On the injuries and substitutions he added “First of all, our substitutions were forced. On the one hand, that makes it very difficult for you as a coach to manage the game, but on the other hand, it makes things easier because you don’t have any alternatives. I think we need to understand how we can remain at the same level even when key players are forced to leave the game. I can’t say anything about the injuries yet. We need to check on Miguel and Igor. I need to speak with the medical staff. Miguel came off on medical instructions.”

On the balance between pride and disappointment, Kozuk said, “I think those who don’t dare, don’t gain anything and I’m happy that we have a club and people here who dare. I said earlier that my staff and I achieved everything in our careers only after failing to achieve it initially. I didn’t win the State Cup with Netanya and won it with Petach Tikva. We didn’t win the championship with Beer Sheva; we won it with Beer Sheva. We didn’t manage to reach the Champions League with Beer Sheva, and I hope we will achieve it. I think that, in the end, we put a lot of thought into our recruitment, and I don’t think this will change anything regarding the players we bring in.”

“I don’t think we are looking for consolation. I think both Alona Barkat (owner) and I are very realistic people, and we understand that the game is over, this Champions League campaign is over, and other things are coming. We wanted this, but we understand that this is the reality.”