Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Overcomes Hapoel Haifa to Reach Toto Cup Semifinals

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona secured a 3-1 comeback victory over Hapoel Haifa on August 8, 2026, advancing to the Toto Cup semifinals. After a lackluster first half, the northern team rallied in the second half with goals from Ogrisa, Shretzki, and Sabach. Their next opponent will be Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Coach Shai Berda emphasized the team's strong mental character, acknowledging a poor first half but praising the squad's resilience and fighting spirit in the second half. Berda, in his fourth year with the club, expressed pride in the team and a desire to build a club that northern fans can be proud of. Captain Ariel Shretzki echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of the win for the northern community and confirming his commitment to the club despite foreign interest.

Hapoel Haifa's coach, Haim Silvas, congratulated Kiryat Shmona but expressed disappointment with his own team's performance, particularly after conceding a penalty and a quick goal thereafter. He noted the team's struggles in the second half and the need for improvement ahead of the league. Player Liran Rotman also commented on the match, criticizing the penalty decision but focusing on the need for his team to improve intensity and readiness for upcoming league matches.