Hapoel Jerusalem Faces Hapoel Haifa After Striker's Departure

Hapoel Haifa is set to host Hapoel Jerusalem on Saturday evening, aiming to build on their recent victory over Ironi Tiberias. The team will be without their Peruvian striker, Adrian Argriza, who recently transferred to Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Coach Shai Birman is expected to make only one forced change to the lineup, with Niv Gabay stepping in to replace Argriza in the forward position. Ovadia Darwish, who had been sidelined with a groin injury, has returned to training but is unlikely to start ahead of Ido Weir.

Birman expressed satisfaction with the team's performance in their last match, noting improvements from their previous game against Maccabi Petah Tikva. He emphasized the need to maintain the same approach and principles against Hapoel Jerusalem. "Hapoel Jerusalem is coming off two losses, but they are a good team. We've watched them play many times, we've studied them, and we need to approach every game the same way and do everything 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. "Adrian is a player I connected with personally. He arrived last year, scored double-digit goals, and started the season well," Birman said. He added, "It's a credit that in Kiryat Shmona, they know how to praise so many players. Once there was a certain price tag that the club demanded, and Be'er Sheva paid it, we as a club could only wish him success. There is no vacuum in football; we need to find solutions, and we will."

The projected starting lineup for Hapoel Haifa includes Daniel Tenenbaum in goal, a defense of Ido Weir (or Ovadia Darwish), Shai Ben David, Nemanja Ljubisavljevic, and Itzik Shulmeister (or Shai Sabach). The midfield will feature Alex Sola, Thales Costa, and Ariel Scheretzki, with Amado Sanya, Rufat Abdulazov, and Niv Gabay leading the attack.