Doron Ben Dor and Rei Shani 20/02/2021 19:09
Maccabi Haifa players celebrate (Oren Ben Hakon)
A sigh of relief at Maccabi Haifa: With the exception of Chiron Sheri and Nikita Rokavica who were infected in Corona, there are no more infected after another round of tests they conducted at the club ahead of the State Cup game against Umm al-Fahm. As you may recall, the Australian striker came out positive after feeling unwell and undergoing a test, and immediately afterwards the Green Club conducted tests for all the players and staff and there Chiron Cherry also came out positive. Now, before the meeting in the cup today (Saturday, 20:30), no more infections were recorded after another round they performed.
In fact, all the players in Haifa were vaccinated or recovered from the virus, after Bogdan Planich also underwent his first vaccination yesterday. For example, Rami Gershon, who slept in the same room with Sheri the night before the game against Betar, was not infected, and Muhammad Abu Fani, who returned in the same car with Rokavica Teddy, along with Yannick Wildshot and Taleb Twataha, who had already recovered from the virus.
Barak Bachar Said ahead of the match: “Playing a cup at every stage is always fascinating and not easy. Everyone remembers Umm al-Fahm and the surprise last season in the Cup and we are preparing for them in all seriousness. We do come with a lack of staff and this is a good opportunity for players who do not get minutes to show and prove themselves. We have a wide and good staff and I trust my players. “
Barak Bachar will have at his disposal a lack of staff for the cup game following the penalties of the tribunal, when it comes to Dolev Haziza, Planich, San Menachem and Eid Habashi who are sent off. Rami Gershon will open on defense, with Maor Levy making his debut in the 11th. Goodsway Donio in the lead, alongside Yannick Wildshot and Noble Omar.
Maccabi Haifa: Josh Cohen, Ernest Mabuka, Ofri Arad Rami Gershon, Taleb Twataha, Neta Lavie, Jose Rodriguez, Maor Levy, Omer Atzili, Yannick Wildshot and Godsway Donio.
Umm al-Fahm dreams of recovering, Ivanir: “Maccabi Haifa is given a battle”
On the other hand, Motti Ivanir’s Reds, who were the surprise of the cup last season when they knocked out Maccabi Tel Aviv after a huge 2: 3, will try to recreate the huge sensation and stun Maccabi Haifa, after last season they were eliminated in the cup in the quarterfinals. 4 consecutive draws in the league which places it in 11th place in the national team with 25 points, that the big ambition of the team is to finish in the top playoffs and perhaps, to create a huge surprise in the cup.
Moti Ivanir He said: “The preparations are normal as you prepare for every game. We had a bit of a hard time because of the stormy rain, in addition we played in the middle of the week so we only got to train for the last two days. We come with a full squad. It will be very difficult to recreate it against Maccabi Haifa but in the cup anything can be and it is allowed to dream. We will do our best and I hope it will be interesting. It is true that Maccabi Haifa lacks a lot of players and for them it disrupts things a bit but they have to take things in proportion, “We are very strong and the balance of power is very clear. We will not give up before the game starts, Maccabi Haifa will be given a battle and even if we fly, the main thing is that we will know that we are doing everything to win the game.”
