In this week 16 match on the 1st of January, Ironi Kiryat Shmona plays host to Hapoel Haifa in a meeting of these two Ligat ha’Al teams. Weather on match day is looking like a cloudy and cool day, with daytime temperatures of only 13 degrees, which will be a great treat for players. Ironi Kiryat Shmona is fresh off their 0-2 loss against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Dan Einbinder struck first for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the 66th minute from the penalty spot, then Dan Einbinder added another in the 89th minute on a penalty shot In the end, Ironi Kiryat Shmona was frustrated by Hapoel Tel Aviv’s defence and couldn’t put any tallies on the board. Hapoel Tel Aviv ended the match with the shutout victory. Ironi Kiryat Shmona is looking for direction having earned 15 points in their last 10 matches, while 6th placed Hapoel Haifa is fresh off their 2-1 win against Ashdod. Kevin Tapoko scored the first goal for Hapoel Haifa in the 24th minute, but Mohammad Kna’an got the equalizer for Ashdod in the 52nd minute. Hapoel Haifa is looking for direction having 3 win and 5 losses in their last 10 matches.
Ironi Kiryat Shmona and Hapoel Haifa last played eachother at the Sammy Ofer Stadium on Sun Sep 19th. Hapoel Haifa won by a score of 1 to 0. Alon Turgeman struck first for Hapoel Haifa in the 84th minute on a feed from Dudu Altrovich, and that single goal was all that was necessary as neither team could manage any more scoring In the end, Ironi Kiryat Shmona was frustrated by Hapoel Haifa’s defence and couldn’t put any tallies on the board. Hapoel Haifa ended the match with the shutout victory.
Hanan Maman has been the most prolific scorer on Hapoel Haifa in the last five matches with 2 goals. Ironi Kiryat Shmona is lucky enough to have a few offensive weapons, with Itamar Shviro and Yadin Lugasi each having 2 goals in their last five.