Hapoel Petah Tikva Faces Transfer Challenges Ahead of Match Against Hapoel Ramat Gan

Hapoel Petah Tikva aims to maintain their positive momentum following a prestigious city derby victory as they prepare for their upcoming match against newly promoted Hapoel Ramat Gan on Wednesday evening. Due to a limited squad and the early stage of the season, coach Omer Peretz has decided to make four changes to the lineup, including starting Stav Israeli and Harel Shalom in defense, with Tomer Altman returning to the starting eleven and Clay, who came on as a substitute in the derby win, also starting.

The club continues to await the loan release of defender Diego Aroyo from Shakhtar Donetsk, who is waiting for the Ukrainian club to sign another defender before granting his release. However, Shakhtar has made it clear they will not allow Hapoel Petah Tikva to purchase him. Club sources cautioned against overconfidence from the derby win, emphasizing the need for a deeper and higher-quality squad to replicate last season's success.

Meanwhile, Iyad Khalaily will not join the team after Maccabi Haifa refused to release him. Young talents from the youth department, Ido Tassa and Noam Cohen, who scored the decisive goal in the derby, will continue in the starting lineup. Additionally, despite previous agreements, Omer Kursia will not be joining Hapoel Petah Tikva. Defender Roy Zarhin, who played for Hapoel Rishon LeZion, has started training with the team and awaits a player status committee decision on his transfer fee; if reasonable, he will strengthen the club's defense.

The expected lineup for the match includes Omer Katz, Stav Israeli, Orel Dgani, Ido Tassa, Harel Shalom, Tomer Altman, Roy David, Guy Badash, Noam Cohen, Clay, and Shavit Mazal.