Red on the rise: Hapoel Haifa is no longer afraid
The victory in the Toto Cup derby raised expectations on the red side of the Carmel. With a budget of 33 million shekels and a coach who was given a free hand to revolutionize the squad, Hapoel Haifa wants to stop looking down and start threatening the big teams.
With a respectable budget of about 33 million shekels, nine new players, and at least two more expected to arrive, Hapoel Haifa's intentions are clear. After having to change coaches midway through last season and getting caught up in survival battles, Yoav Katz and Haim Silvas built an almost completely new squad this summer, with the goal this time being much higher — the upper playoffs.
Silvas, who returned to Hapoel Haifa in the middle of last season to replace Gal Arel, received a contract extension from the owner and a free hand in building the squad. The relationship between the coach and the owner is excellent, and Katz, who attended the training camp in Bulgaria, did not skimp on reinforcements. If last year the coach came to fix things on the fly, this time everything is on him: this is a team built according to his requirements. Silvas arrives with great motivation, working early every morning at the training complex in Kiryat Haim with his new assistant Yarin Ivgi and fitness coach Dani Bibs to formulate the plan for the upcoming season.
Counting on Keita and squad changes
Unlike last season, which Haifa started very poorly and was forced to make emergency changes in January, this time the club decided to make most of the adjustments in advance. So far, nine players have joined: William Agada, Noam Cohen, Ariel Mendy, Cheick Keita, Shay Elias, Hiv Habiballa, Tal Naim, Itay Zafrani, and Sali Fahima. The team is also counting on Liran Rotman, whose option was exercised this summer. Meanwhile, ten players have left the club, including Rotem Hatuel and Roi Zikri.
Regarding foreign players, the team tested several candidates at the camp in Bulgaria, including Cheick Keita, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder from Mali. "He looks excellent so far, he has a hell of a potential," says a source in the team.
Young talent alongside veterans
This season will be a significant test for Silvas. "Haim built a balanced team with a very strong defense, an excellent and experienced goalkeeper, and a defender like Ivan Krijak, whom we managed to keep despite the war," the source adds. Dor Malul will start his 12th season at the club, Alon Turgeman looks good in the Toto Cup, and Yoav Gerafi has returned after his stint at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The 3:2 victory over city rivals Maccabi Haifa in the Toto Cup strengthened the feeling that the team is on the right track. "With this squad, you can look Maccabi Haifa in the eyes," they declare. However, a 3:1 loss to Kiryat Shmona proved that the defense still needs work before the league opener, where a tough challenge awaits against the champions, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, at the Toto-Turner Stadium.
Engaging the crowd
One of the goals set in Haifa this season is to fill the stands. The 2,000 spectators who came to the game against Kiryat Shmona illustrated the gap between the stadium's capacity and the current attendance. The club wants to increase subscriptions and attract fans who do not come regularly, particularly from the Krayot area (Kiryat Ata, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Bialik, and Kiryat Shmuel), where the team has an old fan base. Ultimately, much depends on the performance on the pitch; a good start to the season may bring back more dormant fans. Professionally, Silvas has much better conditions than before, and now it only remains to turn this into results. There are no excuses.
