Haifa wants to be Shewertzeneger
from Amir Ragporker

27.8.2002,
Maccabi Haifa will walk on the "Arnold Shewertzeneger" stadium with a glimpse from history. Until now no Israeli team ever participate in the UEFA Champions League, group stage. Maccabi Haifa wants to be the first team, remember they have 2-0 lead from the first match.
Maccabi Haifa is already near the well, now all they need is to grab a bucket and start to drink. Long after them is Sturm Gratz that want the water but they need a miracle to be in the well before Maccabi Haifa.

Shom and Yakobo(left) happy at the first leg. Will they still be happy after the game?

But last night Genk experienced same scary night despite wining 2-0 at home like Haifa. Although at the end the Belgian Champions qualify to the next level, they didn’t have a good night at all. Haifa players need to take this game as instance of what can happen if you are tranquil. In Israel everybody think Haifa is already in the Champions League but they have to be more cautious even do Strum Gratz look a crumbled team.
Haifa comes to the match with a good shape after an away win at Rishon Lezion. It seems like Itzhak Shom, Haifa's coach will maintain his wining team from the first match, which means that Gijermo Israelvic will wait at the bench again. Israelvic played very well this past two weeks but Shom prefers Yaniv Katan. Rafi Cohen, Haifa's striker, still carrying an ankle injury that will disturb him so he may not play at all. Nenad Pralija and Adu Kessi also have ankle problems but they will be fine.
Haifa will start a little defensive at the start in order not to get a goal but will send Yakobo, Ruso and Katan to break through attacks (fast break). A lot of eyes will be on both Ariks, Benado and Ajipor who will play at center defense and have to guard all Gratz strikers and handle the attacks.

In Gratz's section the team is really falling a part after 3 losses in a row. The last lost was humiliating because they lost in the Gratz derby against GAK that grabbed their first win of the season! Despite all the resent losses Sturm players are very self confident, they believe their team will beat Haifa 3-0 or 4-0. But Sturm know they need to get goal right at the start of the game to bring the hopes back. The pressure on Ivicha Osim the coach of Gratz is very heavy and if he wont deliver in this game he may find himself without a job.
In addition of all problems Osim has some injury problems, Arnold Vetl wont start and Roman Malih former Austrish International will be his replacement. Mario Haas the striker is off for six months. Jezi Bezezek the Polish midfielder carries a little injury and may be sidelined.

Players to watch:
Gratz: Masudi- the only player who opened the season for Gratz. Scored in the game against GAK and almost scored against Haifa. Maccabi really need to guard him well.
Haifa: Yakobo- Man of the match against Gratz is in a very good shape. Yakobo is the joker of Haifa so an early goal from his legs will be enough to put Haifa in the Champions.

Starting Lineups:
Maccabi Haifa: Awate; Harzi, Ajipor, Benado, Kessi; Badir, Zoutaotas, Pralija, Rosu; Katan, Yakobo.
Sturm Gratz: Weber; Dag, Neukirchner, Golmatc Petrovic, Rojas; Masudi, Malich, Strafner, Brzeczek; Savitc.

What do I think: Haifa will play defensive and Gratz score with Masudi at the start. But Haifa will keep the good defense and loss only 0-1 for history.

DID U KNOW: Arik Ajipor is the only player in both teams who played in the world cup.