Reached the target: The boy who grew up in green and became the great promise of Hapoel Haifa
From the move at age 12 from the Maccabi Haifa youth department to the display in the derby: after the 3:2 at Sammy Ofer and the continuation in the Toto Cup, the 20-year-old midfielder is marked as Haim Silvas' main project for the upcoming season.
The start of the season for Hapoel Haifa could not have been sweeter. After the prestigious 3:2 victory in the derby against Maccabi Haifa last Saturday, the 'Reds' from the Carmel continued their perfect momentum last Tuesday in the Toto Cup with a convincing 3:1 win over Ironi Tiberias. But beyond the results and the goals of Alon Turgeman, the talk of the town on the red side of the Carmel is the rise of Yaad Gonen.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder is marked in Kiryat Haim as the new engine of the midfield and as someone expected to make the long-awaited leap this season. The performance in the derby against the 'Greens' at Sammy Ofer Stadium was the ultimate calling card: Gonen presented a phenomenal first half, scored the first goal with a spectacular missile into the top corner of Omri Glazer's goal, and was also involved in the second goal, which was recorded as an own goal by Noam Shtayfman. Gonen was also chosen as the man of the match, in what became the peak moment of his short career in the senior team so far.
From green Haifa to the red academy
Gonen's story also has a particularly spicy flavor. The midfielder started his path in the youth department of the city rival Maccabi Haifa, until at the age of 12 he crossed the lines and joined that of Hapoel Haifa. Since then, he has been marked as one of the greatest talents to grow in the club in recent years, passed through the youth national team, and at the end of last season already got to taste 66 minutes in the senior team's uniform in the 3:0 win over Bnei Sakhnin in the final round.
Gonen can play in several positions in the midfield and attack and excels especially in fast transitions - a trait that was expressed in the first two goals in the derby. His high ability did not go unnoticed even in the preparation games, when he scored against FC Vere, and caused the owner Yoav Katz to act quickly to extend his contract, while fending off interest from Hapoel Tel Aviv.
The backing from Silvas
The team's coach, Haim Silvas, holds focused personal conversations with the young midfielder and intends to give him broad credit and full confidence in the center of the field this season.
"Gonen works very hard, is determined and very consistent. He has excellent technique alongside defensive commitment, and this season can definitely be his big breakthrough year," they noted at the club.
Gonen himself remains with his feet on the ground and approaches the current season with a mature attitude: "Last year I started well and got opportunities. In the league things changed a bit, but I worked hard, waited for my opportunity and in the end I got it. I feel more ready than last year, stronger mentally. The veteran players give me a lot of strength, and with that I am moving forward."
