Beitar Jerusalem Focuses on Performance Amidst Jordan Shua Controversy

Beitar Jerusalem is attempting to insulate its locker room from external noise surrounding player Jordan Shua. While Shua appears to be maintaining a business-as-usual demeanor publicly, teammate Almog Cohen has asserted that all decisions regarding the team are professional. Cohen indicated that Shua will eventually return to the starting lineup, but this is unlikely to occur in the upcoming Saturday match against Hapoel Haifa.

The club believes that certain parties with vested interests are trying to disrupt the team's recent positive momentum, achieved in their last two games. However, Beitar Jerusalem is reportedly concentrating on its on-field objectives rather than what they term "gossip." A club source stated, "They will not succeed in breaking up our locker room, all decisions are professional."

Shua is expected to join the senior national team after the Hapoel Haifa game, and the coaching staff hopes he will regain his form after the international break. The starting lineup that played against Maccabi Petah Tikva three days prior is expected to retain its place against Hapoel Haifa.

Uri Azoulay will rejoin the squad after the break. Nana Owusu, who is not yet fully fit and struggles with sprinting, will be the foreign player not dressing for the match. This opens the door for recent signing Alexis Serrano to potentially make his debut.

Additionally, Raviv Abargil is not in the team's plans, and he refused to leave despite being offered a free release. Beitar Jerusalem acknowledges the team's slow start to the season and the need to secure points before the break, stating, "We haven't done anything yet, we are still carrying the burden of points from the beginning of the season and we don't have the privilege to lose more points to go into the break with a different atmosphere."

A projected lineup includes Miguel Silva, Roi Eliyahu, Luka Gadrani, Brian Carby, Timothy Muzie, Boris Ino, Daniel Vorku, Tomer Yosefi, Eugene Ansah, Omer Atzili, and Sean Weissman.