Summary: Maccabi Haifa - Hapoel Jerusalem 1:2 (Sport1)
1.
If anyone was expecting celebrations at Maccabi Haifa after tying the record winning streak and the three points against Hapoel Jerusalem in the unimpressive 1:2, then the press conference at the end of the game showed exactly the opposite.
Champion coach Barak Becher arrived at the press conference with his face showing his nervousness and dissatisfaction with the match against Hapoel Jerusalem.
In Haifa, of course, cheers came out of the victory, but Bacher felt that his team has not been able to rise since the return from the World Cup break.
The Greens started the game well and even quickly returned to the lead after Hapoel Jerusalem's equalizer, but were unable to produce a good game despite the start.
In Haifa they expected that at this stage the team would return to demonstrating the fitness they displayed before the break and the coach is expected to go over the mistakes and things he feels need to be corrected with his players.
"This ability will not be enough for long, period," said an official in the team, "fortunately, we can correct after victories, but there is no doubt that the coming week will be marked by the corrections that the Greens want to make in preparation for this season's game against Maccabi Tel Aviv."
"It's not a good game for us, we're happy about the victory and the streak, but it won't be enough to continue," said Becher, "We have a very high self-criticism, and I, as a coach, also criticize myself. We're happy about the victory, but disappointed about the ability. "There were many aspects to the game They didn't work out for us," the defender Shawn Goldberg continued the line, "there is a tough game next week, but every game in this league is not easy.
Hapoel Jerusalem is a very good team and it's not just in its place."
Looks worried after the game.
Barak Bacher (Photo: Barney Ardov)
Haifa could be encouraged by the fact that Charon Sherry completed minutes and will start this season's game, when it is estimated that he will be able to complete 90 minutes.
Daniel Sodengren's return to action also encouraged the Haifa men and the Swede may start against Maccabi Tel Aviv if he feels he has entered the required intensity in training this week.
Dolev Haziza also received great compliments and in Haifa they are pleasantly surprised by the pace Haziza entered immediately upon his return from injury.
"Dolev came back as if he hadn't been out for such a long time," said one of his teammates, "he is one of our most important players and there is no doubt that we are happy and want him to always play."
Omar Atzili, who finished with a goal and an assist, also received compliments.
The team, of course, celebrated tying the winning streak record and very much hope to break it next week in the season's game. "Obviously it's fun to break records," Goldberg admitted, "but it's not our job to mess with that."
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"This victory belongs first of all to my lips" (Photo: Barney Ardov)
2.
With Josh Cohen's injury, there was speculation as well as the possibility among the club members that another senior goalkeeper should be added.
Haifa initially feared that Cohen would have to undergo surgery and would be absent for a long time.
The team's professional team did not think that there was a good goalkeeper among the possible Israeli goalkeepers and decided to look for possible Jewish goalkeepers.
After the option fell through, they decided in Haifa to give all the credit to Mesfati.
The goalkeeper who arrived last season from MS Ashdod was highly sought after by the professional team that fought to make the transaction possible which was met with opposition in Ashdod at first.
Last night, Mishfati was the main factor in the victory of the greens, according to the feeling of the club people and received compliments from wall to wall.
"This victory is first of all my lips," said a player in the team, "in games like this you need your goalkeeper to keep you in the game and that's what he did."
Mishfati does not have a contract for next season, but the team will soon offer the goalkeeper to extend his contract in the belief that in the state of Israeli goalkeepers it is impossible to find a better goalkeeper than him.
By the way, Cohen may return after the season's game and may even be in the squad for the game against Bnei Rayna.
The other person who will join the Haifa goalkeepers is Sherif Kiuf, who will return from the loan at Hapoel Afula.
In Haifa they understand that even if Cohen returns to full activity soon, he is at a high risk level of getting injured again and registering a setback in his rehabilitation, so they will add Kiyof as a backup.
The goalkeeper shows very good ability this season in Hapoel Afula and Haifa are convinced that he can develop into the future goalkeeper of the team.
May open against Maccabi Tel Aviv and then say goodbye.
Neta Lavi (Photo: Barney Ardov)
3.
The last month was marked by Neta Lavi and his move to Gamba Osaka.
Last night the midfielder did not start in the lineup after he also felt discomfort in the movement.
In a joint conversation with Bacher, it was decided that the actor would not endanger himself.
Lavi has concluded all his terms with the Japanese group, while the Greens are also not expected to make it difficult to close the deal in negotiations with the Japanese on the transfer fee.
As I recall, in Haifa they demanded that Levi stay until after the season's game.
The Japanese would like to see Lavi at the beginning of training already last week or at least at the beginning of the training camp that opens tomorrow.
Lavi, who asked to leave, realized that Haifa needed him at least until after the season's game and will leave for Japan only after the game next week.
Lavi may even start in the lineup against the big rival, in what will be his farewell game.
In Haifa they really want to get stronger due to Lavi's departure.
The group put forward the candidacy of Aden Kartsev, but as of Sunday there was no official request from Haifa to Maccabi Netanya.
Goni Naor and Biram Kiel were also mentioned as options for strengthening, when Haifa realizes that they will have to strengthen themselves by at least one player until the end of the transfer window.
Aviel Zargari, who arrived from Beitar, continues to train and a decision regarding him is expected to be made after the season's game. If Haifa is impressed by the young midfielder in training, he will remain in the squad, but there are quite a few chances that Zargari will go out for half the loan season.
sport
Israeli soccer
Super League
Tags
Maccabi Haifa
Barak Bacher