Maccabi Haifa Faces Defensive Shortages Ahead of Hapoel Jerusalem Match
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Maccabi Haifa drew 2-2 in a friendly against Hapoel Kfar Saba, a match that exposed the team's severe shortage of central defenders. Four key defenders were unavailable due to injury, illness, or national team duty, casting doubt on Tsunami's availability for the upcoming game against Hapoel Jerusalem. Goalkeeper Omer Neiron returned from injury, and young forward Adam Grimberg scored, with the club optimistic about his future development.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Haifa's preparation match ended in a 2-2 draw against Hapoel Kfar Saba.
- The team played without its four main central defenders due to various issues.
- Tsunamis's availability for the Hapoel Jerusalem match is uncertain.
- Goalkeeper Omer Neiron returned to play after a long injury layoff.
- Young forward Adam Grimberg scored in the friendly match.
Maccabi Haifa drew 2-2 with Hapoel Kfar Saba of the National League in a preparation match Tuesday, a game that highlighted the team's significant defensive absences. The team played without its four primary central defenders: Nigel Lonwijk and Tsunami were sidelined due to muscle sensitivity, Sean Goldberg was ill, and Noam Steifman was with the youth national team.
Lonwijk, Goldberg, and Steifman are expected to return to training on Wednesday. However, Tsunami's return date is uncertain, raising doubts about his availability for the upcoming match against Hapoel Jerusalem on Monday. If Tsunami remains unavailable, Lonwijk and Steifman will likely continue as the central defensive pairing, as they did against Ironi Tiberias.
Goalkeeper Omer Neiron played his first match since January and conceded only a penalty kick. He is expected to be available for the Hapoel Jerusalem game. Meanwhile, forward Adam Grimberg, who was cut from the youth national team, scored in the preparation match. He is expected to continue playing with the youth team as long as Andrea Novacovic and Silva Kani are fit, with Guy Melamed also awaiting playing time.
The club is working to develop Grimberg's potential, as he was a starter for the senior team before an injury last season and found himself with the youth squad this summer. Maccabi Haifa believes the young forward has significant untapped potential.
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