Kiryat Shmona Coach Shay Barda Highlights Team Character After Toto Cup Win

Kiryat Shmona continued their strong start to the season with a 1-0 victory over Tiberias in the second round of the Toto Cup on August 1, 2026. After the match, coach Shay Barda emphasized the importance of the win despite a less impressive performance, saying, "Today we didn’t play well, but the victory is important. It shows character. There is room for improvement." He noted the team had made nine changes to the lineup and that it would take time for the squad to gel.

Rofat Abdulzadeh, a new signing who scored the winning goal, shared his positive impressions in his first interview in Israel. He expressed happiness about his debut goal and praised Israel as "an amazing country." Abdulzadeh explained his move to Kiryat Shmona came after discussions with his agent and the coach, and he hopes to contribute to the team’s success and advance his career.

On the other side, Moti Krispin, assistant coach of Tiberias, addressed the team’s second consecutive loss. He praised the players’ efforts but acknowledged fatigue and a lack of quality due to squad rotation. Krispin mentioned ongoing efforts to strengthen the team and hinted at possible changes in the club’s management. He also expressed hope for the return of suspended players, emphasizing their importance both on and off the field.

Tiberias player Ido Sharon added that despite a depleted squad relying on youth players, the team created chances but ultimately lost. He remained focused on the game and optimistic about achieving their goals, regardless of off-field issues expected to be resolved soon.