Hapoel Jerusalem Faces Hapoel Haifa Amidst Striker Change

Hapoel Haifa, coming off their first win of the season against Ironi Tiberias, will host Hapoel Jerusalem on Saturday evening. The team will be without their Peruvian striker, Adrian Argriza, who recently transferred to Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Coach Shai Birman confirmed that Niv Gabay is expected to start in Argriza's place.

Birman expressed satisfaction with the team's performance in their previous match, noting improvements from their game against Maccabi Petah Tikva. He emphasized the need to maintain the same approach and principles against Hapoel Jerusalem, despite their recent losses. "Hapoel Jerusalem is a good team, we've watched them and learned from them, and we need to approach every game aiming to win," Birman stated.

Regarding Argriza's departure, Birman acknowledged the player's significant contribution, including scoring double-digit goals last season and starting the current season well. "It's a privilege that Kiryat Shmona can praise so many players. When Be'er Sheva met the club's asking price, we could only wish him success. In football, there's no vacuum; we need to find solutions, and we will," he added.

Obadia Darwish, who had been sidelined with a groin injury, has returned to training but is unlikely to start ahead of Ido Weir. The expected lineup includes Daniel Tannenbaum in goal, a defense of Ido Weir (or Obadia Darwish), Shai Ben David, Nemanja Ljubisavljevic, and Itzik Shulmeister (or Shai Sabach), a midfield of Alex Sula, Thales Costa, and Ariel Sheretzki, and an attack of Amado Sanya, Roufat Abdoulzade, and Niv Gabay.