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

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona held a 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 promising performance, coach Shai Berda urged caution and avoided setting explicit goals for reaching the upper playoff bracket, though the club remains optimistic about making a significant leap this season.

Berda will not be on the sidelines for the opener due to a suspension from the previous match, with assistant coach Manu Haronian taking charge. 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 Shertzki. Adrian Ugurisa is expected to lead the attack.

New signing Mor Simantov, recently loaned again from Hapoel Be'er Sheva, is set 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 Shertzki; and forwards Amadou Saniyah, Ugurisa, and Rufat Abdulzada. The club aims to translate their strong preseason form into league points starting with this match at their home ground, HaMoshava Stadium.