Alon Turgeman Seeks New Contract After Maccabi Tel Aviv Transfer Veto

Hapoel Haifa coach Haim Silvas is expected to field the same starting lineup against Bnei Sakhnin as the one that drew with Maccabi Netanya in the previous round. Despite the team's recent draws against Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Silvas has opted against changing a winning, or at least unbeaten, formation. He has cautioned his players about Sakhnin's recent "facelift" and potential tactical changes, urging them to focus on their own performance, particularly in the second half.

The club's management is aware of the team's tendency to start games strongly but then ease off after halftime, a pattern they aim to break. "We start games well and then slow down in the second half, that's something that must not happen," a club source stated.

Striker Alon Turgeman will be a key figure in the upcoming match. He has reportedly informed teammates that Maccabi Tel Aviv had inquired about his services, but club owner Yoav Katz vetoed any potential transfer. Turgeman is now hopeful that his loyalty and performance will be rewarded with a contract extension for another season, especially after the transfer fell through.