Masai Dago Prepares Hapoel Ramat Gan for Tough Away Match Against Maccabi Haifa

Hapoel Ramat Gan is gearing up for the 2026/2027 season opener with an away game at Sammy Ofer Stadium against Maccabi Haifa. The club is optimistic following a strong Toto Cup campaign under coach Masai Dago, who narrowly missed reaching the semifinals after a penalty shootout loss to Beitar Jerusalem. The squad is nearly complete except for Matan Hozaz, who is not yet match fit. Portuguese defender Jota, suspended from the last game, will also miss the match, with Marcio Silva expected to start in central defense.

Dago will face Maccabi Haifa for the first time since his tenure ended there and plans to field a lineup similar to the Toto Cup, relying on foreign players Sergen Mihailovic and Christopher Boniface alongside Maksim Plakuschenko. The loanee from Maccabi Haifa, Getacho Yablo, will start at right back, while Luan Campos is set to lead the attack. Marius Novisi may make his first start in the lineup.

The team acknowledges the challenge of playing at Sammy Ofer but intends to play their own style of football. They have chosen not to set specific goals for the season's start, preferring to progress gradually. The expected starting lineup includes Amit Reif; Getacho Yablo, Marcio Silva, Omer Yitzhak, Fard Ibrahim; Sergen Mihailovic, Christopher Boniface, Maksim Plakuschenko; Luan Campos, David Asanka, and Marius Novisi (Idan Barness).