Hapoel Kfar Shalem Seeks Defensive Solidity Ahead of Maccabi Netanya Clash

Hapoel Kfar Shalem is preparing to face Maccabi Netanya on Saturday, aiming to end a four-game losing streak in the Israeli Premier League. The team, currently struggling at the bottom of the standings, suffered a 3-1 defeat against Hapoel Tel Aviv last week, having conceded 12 goals in their last four matches. Coach שי ברדה emphasized the need for a more responsible and defensively solid team, stating, "I want to see a tougher, more responsible team that doesn't just think about attack." The team's primary focus is on tightening their defense and achieving a clean sheet to secure their first points since late August.

Coach ברדה is deliberating over his starting lineup, with several rotations made during the week. A final decision is expected after the team's final training session. A key point of contention is the central striker position, with the new foreign signing אלכסנדרו פופ, who debuted last week, still seeking his first goal for the club. He is competing with ניב גבאי for the role.

"This is a tough game against a tough opponent, but Kfar Shalem must find a way to get points by any means," said ברדה ahead of the match. "We are focused, concentrated, and worked hard this week to find solutions after the Hapoel Tel Aviv game and for Netanya. Again, we need to know how to get points and we will do everything to achieve that." The projected starting lineup includes דניאל טננבאום in goal, a defense of עובדיה דרוויש, שי בן דוד, נמניה ליוביסבלייביץ, and בילאל שאהין, a midfield of אלכס סולה, טאלס קוסטה (or אופיר בנבנישתי), and אריאל שרצקי, and a forward line of אמאדו סאנייה, ניב גבאי (or אלכסנדרו פופ), and רופאט עבדולזדה (or שי סבח).