Hapoel Haifa Plans to Promote 20-Year-Old Yaad Gonen in Upcoming Derby Match

Hapoel Haifa is set to open the 2026/27 season with the Haifa derby in the Toto Cup on Saturday, July 25. The club has passed budget control, and coach Haim Silvas will have almost a full squad available, except for injured Tamir Arbel and Itay Zafrani. However, the current roster is still considered incomplete for the Israeli Premier League season start.

The derby is viewed as a key opportunity to test the existing squad and give playing time to those not expected to start regularly. Among them is 20-year-old Yaad Gonen, a product of Hapoel Haifa's youth academy, who trained with the starting eleven and is expected to make a significant step forward this season, aiming to secure a central role in the team rotation.

Hapoel Haifa is seeking to sign two or three foreign players, including a striker, winger, attacking midfielder, and a backup left defender. One foreign signing is expected to compete with Gonen for the attacking midfield (number 10) position. New foreign players Cheick Keita (midfielder) and Ariel Mendy (left back) will debut in the derby, while Dario Zuparic and Ivan Kricak will lead the defense. Wahib Habiballa and Noam Cohen, recent summer signings, are also in contention for starting roles, while new recruits Tal Naim and Sali Fahima will likely begin on the bench.

Club owner Yoav Katz emphasized a cautious approach to strengthening the squad, stating, "My approach to reinforcements is gradual. You need to assess what you have before signing players under pressure." He added that the Toto Cup will help identify squad needs. Regarding ambitions, Katz said, "Every team should aim high, but we face budgetary challenges as we receive no municipal support, which puts us at a disadvantage compared to other clubs."

The expected starting lineup for the derby includes goalkeeper Yoav Jarafi; defenders Noam Cohen, Dario Zuparic, Ivan Kricak, Ariel Mendy; midfielders Naor Sabag, Cheick Keita, Yaad Gonen; and forwards Wahib Habiballa, Alon Turgeman, and Liran Rotman.