Hapoel Haifa Faces Dilemmas Ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv Clash

Hapoel Haifa is preparing for their upcoming match against Maccabi Tel Aviv, but is facing several professional challenges. While player Shai Elias trained fully on Thursday, his participation in the game remains uncertain and will be decided after the final training session. Coach Haim Silvas is still contemplating the team's formation, considering either a four or five-man defense. If a five-man defense is chosen, Seydou Diakité and George Diba are candidates to start. The club acknowledges the difficulty of facing Maccabi Tel Aviv, a team they haven't beaten in the Premier League since March 2018, but remains confident in their ability to perform well and secure points. In a related interview, key player Ivan Kritsak spoke about the challenge, emphasizing the team's focus on their own performance and belief in their capabilities. He noted that the league is unpredictable, citing a past stumble against Ramat Gan. Regarding the team's performance this season, Kritsak expressed modesty, acknowledging mistakes that cost them points but stating there is still much potential for the remainder of the season. When asked about his personal future with the club, Kritsak indicated his desire to stay in Israel, though he stated it depends on various factors and the team's focus is on the current season.