After a Two-Year Hiatus: Hapoel and Maccabi Petah Tikva Derby
Maor Erlich in goal for Ziv Arie, Bashar Abadah and Pavlos Correa in the center of defense, with Kyle Spence, Adar Ratner, and Samuel Owusu in attack. Guy Badash, Yazan Nassar, and Avishay Cohen start for Omer Peretz (20:30).
Hapoel Petah Tikva and Maccabi Petah Tikva missed each other last season, when Hapoel returned to the Premier League and Maccabi was relegated to the National League. A year later, Hapoel Petah Tikva was the surprise of the season in the Premier League, while Maccabi Petah Tikva easily returned to the top division. Now they meet for an intriguing derby in the opening round of the 2026/27 Toto Cup season.
Hapoel Petah Tikva presents a new-look squad. Avishay Cohen started as a right-back, Stav Israeli and Orel Dgani were placed in the center of the defense, and Yazan Nassar started on the left flank. Tomer Altman, Boni Amian, and Roi David make up the midfield, while Chipioka Songa, Guy Badash, and Shavit Mazal lead the front line.
Maccabi Petah Tikva opens the season with a new coach, Ziv Arie, and a squad that has changed significantly following their promotion from the National League. Maor Erlich started between the posts following the sale of Marco Wolf to Hapoel Be'er Sheva. In the center of the defense, Bashar Abadah, who arrived from Hapoel Hadera, started alongside the new Cypriot defender Pavlos Correa. Ibrahima Sory anchors the midfield, while Kyle Spence, Adar Ratner, and Samuel Owusu lead the attack.
Lineups
Hapoel Petah Tikva: Omer Katz, Avishay Cohen, Orel Dgani, Ido Tassa, Yazan Nassar, Boni Amian, Noam Cohen, Roi David, Chipioka Songa, Guy Badash, Shavit Mazal.
Maccabi Petah Tikva: Maor Erlich, Guy Dezent, Bashar Abadah, Pavlos Correa, Aviv Salem, Ido Cohen, Ibrahima Sory, Liran Hazan, Kyle Spence, Adar Ratner, Samuel Owusu.
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Group B
| Team | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hapoel Jerusalem | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Hapoel Petah Tikva | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Hapoel Ramat Gan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Maccabi Netanya | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Maccabi Petah Tikva | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
On Wednesday, Maccabi Petah Tikva will host Maccabi Netanya as part of the second round of the Toto Cup. Hapoel Petah Tikva will be hosted by Hapoel Ramat Gan.
