Local Soccer: Haifa aims to build on early confidence

By ALLON SINAI
Maccabi Haifa will look to send a message to the rest of the Premier League when it visits Hapoel Tel Aviv on Saturday night. Haifa enters the match top of the standings after defeating Ashdod SC 3-1 in its first match of the season, and a victory at Bloomfield Stadium will be another significant step to proving that after two barren seasons the team once again has the ability to challenge for the league title. The match will be held in front of empty stands at Bloomfield after an Israel Football Association tribunal turned down Hapoel's appeal on Wednesday, ruling that its fans racist calls and throwing of a fire-cracker in the match against Hakoach Amidar Ramat Gan warranted a severe punishment. Hapoel rescued a 2-2 draw at Hakoach in its first match of the season thanks to a 82nd minute Ben Luz goal, but the midfielder will not be able to help Eli Gutman's team on Saturday after being ruled out for a month with a muscle tear. Lothar Matthaus will look to claim his first league win on Saturday when his Maccabi Netanya hosts newly-promoted Hapoel Petah Tikva. Netanya struggled to a 1-1 draw against Maccabi Petah Tikva in its season opener and the German coach was understandably unhappy after his side lost 2-1 to fourth division Asi Gilboa in a training match last Saturday. Netanya released midfielder Baruch Dego on Thursday and the former Israel international could already be in Ashdod's lineup against Ironi Kiryat Shmona on Saturday after signing for Yossi Mizrahi's team. Also Saturday, Maccabi Petah Tikva hosts Bnei Sakhnin and Hakoakh visits Bnei Yehuda. On Sunday, Betar Jerusalem will aim to climb out of the relegation zone when it hosts Maccabi Tel Aviv in an eagerly awaited showdown. New Betar coach Reuven Atar will guide the side for the first time and will have a full squad at his disposal after owner Arkadi Gaydamak transferred NIS 42 million to the IFA's Budget Control Authority on Thursday.