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 loss 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 match, emphasizing that the team is not yet ready for the league start and must improve significantly.

Despite adding nine new 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 Aroyo remains a candidate, pending release approval from Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, which is unlikely before they secure a replacement. The club is preparing alternatives if the deal falls through.

Hapoel Petah Tikva is also pursuing reinforcements in midfield and attack, monitoring young midfielder Itay Ehud, who might join on loan from Maccabi Haifa. Regarding the squad, Peretz stated, "We have a good base from last year, but we still lack several players to complete the squad. Our central defense urgently needs improvement. We want to score goals and win games, but currently, we are not there. The league is approaching, and we are not ready enough. We need to respond accordingly."

Goalkeeper Omer Katz did not play in the recent match due to illness and was rested in the final training session, with Roy Sasson starting instead. Maccabi Haifa has shown interest in signing Katz as a backup goalkeeper, but Hapoel Petah Tikva is reluctant to release him and counts on him for the upcoming season. Additionally, winger Chipioka Songa, who attracted overseas interest, started the last game but remains uncertain for the season ahead. While no concrete offers exist yet, the club does not rule out a sale before the transfer window closes and plans to recruit a foreign winger if he departs.