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

Hapoel Petah Tikva aims to build on their recent derby victory as they prepare for their upcoming match against newly promoted Hapoel Ramat Gan. Due to a limited squad and the early stage of the season, coach Omer Peretz plans to make four changes to the lineup, including starting Stav Israeli and Harel Shalom in defense, and returning Tomer Altman to the starting eleven. Clay, who came on as a substitute in the derby win, will also start.

The club continues to await the loan release of defender Diego Aroyo from Shakhtar Donetsk, who is currently 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 Aroyo. 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.

Additionally, Iyad Khalaily will not join the team after Maccabi Haifa refused to release him. Young talents Ido Tassa and Noam Cohen, who scored the winning goal in the derby, will remain in the starting lineup. Despite previously agreeing to join, Omer Korsia will not be signing with Hapoel Petah Tikva. Defender Roy Zarhin, formerly of Hapoel Rishon LeZion, has begun training with the team and awaits a player status committee decision on his transfer fee; if reasonable, he will bolster the team's defensive options.

The expected starting 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.