Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Prepares for Season Opener with Sola Returning and Simantov Debuting

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona held their final training session ahead of their 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season opener against Maccabi Petah Tikva on Saturday. The team enters the new season following a strong Toto Cup campaign that ended dramatically in extra time against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the semifinals. Despite the encouraging performance, coach Shai Berda refrained from setting explicit goals such as qualifying for the upper playoff, though the club remains optimistic about making a significant leap this season.

Berda will not be on the sidelines due to a suspension from the previous match, so assistant coach Manu Haronian will lead the team. Defender Ofir Benbenishti will also miss the game after receiving a red card in the Toto Cup semifinal. Alex Sola returns from suspension to start as the defensive midfielder alongside Tales Costa and Ariel Sharciski. Adrian Ugurisa will continue to spearhead the attack.

New signing Mor Simantov, who recently joined on loan from Hapoel Be'er Sheva, is expected to make his debut in the squad. The projected starting lineup includes Daniel Tenenbaum in goal; defenders Ovadia Darwish, Shai Ben David, Nemanja Ljubisavljevic, and Shai Sabach; midfielders Sola, Costa, and Sharciski; and forwards Amadou Sanya, Ugurisa, and Rufat Abdulzada. The club aims to convert their strong preseason form into league points in their home stadium, HaMoshava.