Doron Ben Dor
Wildshut. Like a roller coaster (Omri Stein)
Maccabi Haifa will try to be the eighth and last team to secure the promotion ticket to the quarterfinals of the State Cup in the game against Maccabi Petah Tikva tonight (Wednesday) at 20:45. About 1,500 green fans will come to the Sami Ofer Stadium for the first time this season and give the team massive encouragement in order to cross the hurdle from Petah Tikva, which only less than two weeks ago inflicted a league loss on Haifa.
Coach Barak Bachar learned from the previous game between the two teams that a wide rotation must be performed in order to distribute the loads correctly, especially in a week like this where there are three games. Therefore, already in tonight’s game, it will be possible to see point changes in order to allow some of the players to refresh.
The injured Ernest Mabuka and San Menachem (accumulation of yellow cards) will be absent. Taleb Twataha, who was removed from the squad in the game against Bnei Yehuda due to a disciplinary offense, will have the opportunity as a left-back. In Haifa, they are convinced that Tuvata learned from the mistake and the face that he must give everything for the success of the team.
In the link, captain Neta Lavie will have a rest and will open on the bench. The one who is supposed to enter Lavi’s box is Dolev Haziza, who in the last game proved how essential he is to the team and adds shine to the front. Haziza has already played the central role of Bnei Yehuda and knows how to do the job. At the front, Chiron Cherry’s place appears to be secured. The big question is which of the two, Goodsway Donio or Nikita Rokavica, will open.
In Haifa, Manik Wildshot is expected to help with the goal-scoring work. The Dutchman is aware that so far due to injuries, infection in Corona and less good ability on the pitch he has not been able to contribute as expected of him. He scored a single league goal about six months ago against Hapoel Beer Sheva. Wildschoot’s contract expires at the end of the season and the Dutchman knows that in the end what will determine whether Haifa exercises the option for him will be his overall output.
“It’s Wildwood’s time to wake up and bring numbers. It’s a complex season for him but it’s time for him to return to being the same powerful player we knew last season. “Yanik has the abilities to do that,” they said in Haifa.
On another issue, ahead of the publication of the team’s squad tomorrow by coach Willy Rotensteiner, it seems that the place of Neta Lavie and San Menachem is guaranteed. It is not impossible that Ofri Arad will also be invited. The question at the moment is whether Rotensteiner will decide to invite Dolev Haziza and Muhammad Abu Fani as well.
