Maccabi Haifa Coach Barak Bachar Criticizes Team After Toto Cup Loss to Hapoel Jerusalem

Maccabi Haifa suffered another disappointing defeat in the Toto Cup, losing 1-0 to Hapoel Jerusalem on August 17 at Sammy Ofer Stadium. The only goal came in the 61st minute from Israel Dappa. This loss left Haifa in 10th place in the tournament standings. After the match, Haifa’s head coach Barak Bachar expressed concern about the team’s performance, stating that despite some promising moments in the first half, the team lacked sharpness and failed to create chances in the second half. He emphasized the need for more work and better player cohesion ahead of the league season, acknowledging the pressure on the squad to meet expectations.

Bachar refrained from analyzing individual players in detail but noted that many are working hard and need time to connect. He stressed the importance of winning the league opener and admitted the team must improve quickly. Defender Yila Btayi echoed the disappointment, admitting the team was "soft" and failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. He also mentioned his recent return from injury has made defensive integration challenging but expressed hope for gradual improvement.

On the Hapoel Jerusalem side, coach Lior Zada admitted the team did not play at their best but highlighted positive moments and praised Israel Dappa’s physicality and potential, cautioning it was too early to hype him. Goalkeeper Nadav Zamir expressed confidence in the squad’s unity and readiness for the league, praising Dappa as a special player who contributes both on and off the field. Both coaches and players acknowledged that the Toto Cup results do not define their upcoming league campaigns, with focus shifting to improvement and preparation for the regular season.

The match and postgame comments underline the challenges both teams face as they prepare for the Israeli Premier League season, with Haifa particularly under pressure to raise their level and meet expectations.