Maccabi Haifa to Give Young Winger Iyad Khalili a Chance This Season

Maccabi Haifa is preparing for its Toto Cup ranking match against Hapoel Jerusalem on Monday, followed by the Israeli Premier League opener against Hapoel Ramat Gan on Saturday. Head coach Barak Bachar plans to field a strong lineup similar to the one used against the club’s youth team, featuring Manuel Benson, Silva Kani, and Kenji Hura in attack, with Nigel Lodewijk and Tsunami in central defense.

The young winger Iyad Khalili, who impressed the coaching staff during preseason, is expected to play a significant role this season. Khalili, 20, returned from a loan spell at Maccabi Bnei Reineh and has been utilized on both wings and as a right-back. The club intends to keep him in the squad rather than loaning him out again.

Meanwhile, Andrea Novakovic, a new forward, remains unregistered due to a roster complication involving Peter Agaba, who still occupies a foreign player slot. Agaba has not yet been removed from the squad, preventing Novakovic’s registration for upcoming matches.

Additionally, goalkeeper Omer Nir'on, recently acquired from Maccabi Netanya and having completed medical tests, will be officially presented today and join team training. Nir'on is expected to serve as backup to Amri Glazer.

Maccabi Haifa continues to finalize its roster ahead of the new season, focusing on integrating promising young players and resolving registration issues.