Hapoel Kiryat Shmona Faces Tough Disappointment After Opening Loss to Maccabi Petah Tikva

Hapoel Kiryat Shmona experienced significant disappointment following their 2-1 defeat to Maccabi Petah Tikva in the opening round of the Israeli Premier League on August 22, 2026. Despite a strong start to the season in the Toto Cup, the team struggled to accept the loss, feeling it was undeserved. Assistant coach Manu Haronian, standing in for suspended head coach Shay Barda, noted the team was punished for two counterattacks in the first half and expressed dissatisfaction with their initial performance, but emphasized the long season ahead and the need to improve.

The team’s top scorer, Adrian Ugurisa, netted the lone goal for Kiryat Shmona, offering some hope. His continued presence at the club seems likely as no official offers have emerged for him. Left-back Shay Sabach was a late withdrawal due to groin pain, with the club hopeful he will resume training soon; otherwise, further medical imaging will be conducted.

Captain Ariel Shertzky acknowledged the team’s slow start and took responsibility for the loss, stressing unity and focus on self-improvement moving forward. Both suspended players, coach Barda and defender Ofir Benvenisti, are expected to return for the next match against Ironi Tiberias. The club remains cautiously optimistic despite the setback, recalling their positive Toto Cup campaign as a foundation for the season ahead.