Maccabi Haifa Praises Bruninho as Key Player Amid Defensive Concerns After Toto Cup Win

Maccabi Haifa secured their first victory of the 2026/27 season with a 4-2 win over Ironi Tiberias in the Toto Cup. The club expressed satisfaction with their offensive performance and the quick integration of Brazilian midfielder Bruninho, who scored a notable goal and assisted Eitan Azoulay from a free kick. Bruninho received high praise from the coaching staff, who highlighted his leadership qualities and ability to create scoring opportunities, calling him the player they had been waiting for since the departure of Shiri and Saba.

Yarin Levi also earned commendations for his role in setting up Haifa's second goal, with the coaching team noting his growing confidence each game. However, team captain Kanji Hora disappointed by not meeting performance expectations, as the club feels he is still regaining full match fitness.

Despite the offensive success, Maccabi Haifa remains concerned about their defensive line, particularly the central defense. Although Nigel Lonwijk showed improvement, the team conceded two goals and struggled to contain Kais Ghanem, who scored twice for Tiberias. The club hopes the return of defender Tsunami in the next match will help stabilize their defense. Additionally, Omri Glazer, Ali Mohamed, Manuel Benson, and Andrea Novakovic are nearing their comebacks, with Novakovic yet to make his debut for the club.