Hapoel Haifa Wins Again in Toto Cup as Coach Silvas Expresses Optimism

Hapoel Haifa secured their second consecutive victory in the 2026/27 season by defeating Ironi Tiberias 3-1 in the Toto Cup on Tuesday. The win, highlighted by a brace from Alon Turgeman, strengthens Haifa's position in the race to reach the semi-finals. Coach Haim Silvas emphasized the importance of the match despite it being a Toto Cup game, noting the team's dominance and the ongoing process of improvement within the squad. He expressed optimism about the players' development and the team's future prospects.

Alon Turgeman, who scored twice, downplayed his personal achievements, focusing instead on preparing for the league and his physical condition. He also confirmed his involvement in encouraging the recent signing of player Shay Elias, highlighting the positive impact Elias brings to the team.

On the opposing side, Moti Krispil, acting coach of Ironi Tiberias amid the suspension of Eliran Hodeda due to an ongoing investigation, acknowledged the team's poor first-half performance but noted improvement in the second half. Krispil refrained from commenting on the investigation details, stating he focuses solely on coaching. Forward Itamar Shabiro admitted the team was naive in the first half and stressed the importance of learning from the experience. Regarding the investigation, Shabiro said the players are concentrating on football and remain optimistic about the future.

Both teams are navigating challenges off the pitch while aiming to strengthen their squads and improve performance as the season progresses.