Maccabi Petah Tikva Aims for Second Win Against Bnei Sakhnin in Doha Stadium

Maccabi Petah Tikva, newly promoted to the Israeli Premier League, will face Bnei Sakhnin at Doha Stadium on Saturday, seeking their second consecutive league victory following a 2-1 win over Hapoel Kiryat Shmona in the opening round. Coach Ziv Arie plans to field the same starting eleven that secured the initial win, with injured players Bashar Abdah and Adar Ratner remaining sidelined. Despite high morale and confidence within the team, the coaching staff warns of the challenges posed by playing away in Sakhnin and stresses the importance of defensive concentration to avoid costly mistakes.

Arie acknowledged the difficulty of playing at Doha, especially against Yossi Abuksis's team, which performed well recently against Maccabi Netanya. He emphasized the need for tight defense, focus, and improved ball quality to secure a league victory. Defender Guy Zdant echoed this sentiment, stating that the team is well-prepared and motivated to maintain their positive momentum from both the Toto Cup and the league opener. He affirmed the squad's readiness to give their all to win in a tough away match.

The expected lineup includes Maor Erlich in goal; defenders Guy Zdant, Pavlos Koreia, Eitan Tibi, and Aviv Salem; midfielders Ibrahima Soma, Ido Cohen, and Liran Hazan; and forwards Samuel Owusu, Marko Rekonjac, and Kyle Spence. The match is anticipated to be a significant test for Maccabi Petah Tikva as they strive to establish themselves in the top division.