Hapoel Petah Tikva Coach Frustrated After Toto Cup Loss, Seeks Defensive Reinforcements

Hapoel Petah Tikva concluded the Toto Cup group stage with a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Hapoel Jerusalem on August 9, 2026. Following last season's success and qualification for the upper playoff, the team enters the 2026/27 season with a negative momentum, having lost three consecutive matches and showing unsatisfactory performance. Coach Omer Peretz expressed clear frustration after the game, stating, "We are still not in the event, unfortunately, and the league is about to start, so we need to reset ourselves. It doesn't matter what happened last year. We need to look much better."

Despite signing nine players over the summer, the coaching staff feels the squad remains incomplete, particularly in central defense. Peretz is actively searching for a foreign center-back to be the seventh foreign player on the roster. Bolivian defender Diego Arceo remains a candidate, pending Shakhtar Donetsk's approval for his release. However, the Ukrainian club is unlikely to allow his departure before securing a replacement, prompting Hapoel Petah Tikva to prepare alternatives if the deal falls through.

The club is also pursuing reinforcements in midfield and attack, closely monitoring young midfielder Itay Ehud, who may join on loan from Maccabi Haifa. Regarding the squad, Peretz said, "We have a good base from last year, but we still lack several players to complete the roster. Our central defense urgently needs improvement. We want to score goals and win games, but right now, unfortunately, we are neither here nor there. The league is approaching, and we are not ready enough; we need to know how to respond accordingly."

Goalkeeper Omer Katz did not play in the recent match due to feeling unwell and was rested in the final training session, with Roy Sasson starting instead. Maccabi Haifa has expressed interest in signing Katz as a backup goalkeeper, but Hapoel Petah Tikva is not rushing to release him and counts on him for the upcoming season. Additionally, winger Chipioka Songa, who attracted international interest, started the last game but remains uncertain for the season ahead. Although no concrete offers exist yet, the club does not rule out selling him before the transfer window closes, which would necessitate signing a foreign winger as a replacement.