Hapoel Rishon LeZion F.C.

Hapoel Rishon LeZion F.C. (Hebrew: הפועל ראשון לציון) is an Israeli football club based in the city of Rishon LeZion, which currently plays in Liga Leumit, Israel's second football division. Home matches are hosted at the Haberfeld Stadium. In 1991, the club changed its name to Hapoel Ironi Rishon LeZion (Hebrew: הפועל עירוני ראשון לציון), and in June 2008 the name was switched back to Hapoel Rishon LeZion following a change in ownership.[1]

Hapoel Rishon leZion
Full nameHapoel Rishon LeZion
הפועל ראשון לציון
Nickname(s)Rishonia
Founded1940 (1940)
GroundHaberfeld Stadium, Rishon LeZion
Capacity6,000
OwnerAmos Luzon
General DirectorMeni Koretski
ManagerIsmaail Amar
LeagueLiga Leumit
2019–20Liga Leumit, 4th

History

Hapoel Rishon LeZion was one of the first clubs in the history of league football in Israel. The football section of the Sports club was established in 1929,[2] and played several matches since 1933,[3][4] including competing at the Palestine Cup in 1937 and 1939. The club was formally established in 1940.[5][6]

Its best achievements were runner-up of the Israel State Cup in 1946 and 1996. On both occasions it lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Following its cup final in 1996, it played in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, but was eliminated in the qualifying round by Constructorul Chisinau of Moldova on away goals rule (0:1, 3:2).

The club played at the top division in Mandatory Palestine for the first time at the 1941–42 season and after the Israeli Declaration of Independence, became founder members of the Israeli League in 1949. In 1951–52, the club finished second bottom and dropped to the second tier.

Between 1952 and 1994 the club played just three seasons in the top division: 1978-79, 1980–81 (where they finished sixth) and 1981–82. In the 1991–92 season, while playing in Liga Alef, the third tier, it added the word Ironi to its name, and in the next two seasons, made two successive promotions and returned to the top flight once again after winning Liga Artzit in the 1993–94 season.[1] This time the club managed to stay nine consecutive seasons in the top league until it was relegated to the second tier, (Liga Leumit), at the end of the 2002–03 season, and three seasons later dropped further down to Liga Artzit, the third tier at the time.

In 2008–09, after the club changed its name back to Hapoel Rishon LeZion, it was promoted to Liga Leumit, the second tier.

In 2010–11, the club was promoted to the Israeli Premier League, the top tier. They were relegated back to Liga Leumit the following season.

On 4 December 2012, Hapoel Rishon LeZion won the 2012–13 Toto Cup Leumit.

In 2017-18, the club was just one point short of being promoted to the top tier, The Israeli Premier League, finishing third. In the following year, 2018-19, the club finished twelveth, and narrowly avoided relegation.

Current squad

As to 5 August 2020
No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ISR Roy Beigel
4 DF  ISR Roei Zrihan
5 DF  ISR Gil Sellam
6 DF  ISR Adir Rotstein
7 MF  ISR Sean Malka
8 FW  ISR Dolev Balulu
9 FW  ISR Eden Shrem
10 MF  ISR Lior Katzav
11 MF  CIV Mohammed Bamba
12 DF  ISR Osher Amos
13 DF  CIV Abou Dosso
15 MF  ISR Ori Zohar
16 MF  ISR Yossi Mekonen
17 DF  ISR Amit Moseri
18 DF  ISR Ovadia Darwish
19 MF  ISR Emil Edri
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 MF  ISR Gal Asulin
21 MF  ISR Daniel Konizki
22 GK  ISR Tomer Asor
24 MF  ISR Ofek Cohen
25 MF  ISR Dan Kaduri
26 DF  ISR Shahar Barnea
31 DF  ISR Dor Malichi
34 MF  ISR Moulat Gabra
55 GK  ISR Yehonatan Shabi
66 DF  ISR Ilan Shaulsky
77 FW  ISR Yagil Ohana
90 GK  ISR Dvir Nir
MF  ISR Ben Amsalem
MF  ISR Yaniv Bazini
FW  ISR Samir Farhud

Notable former players


Managers

Honours

League

Honour No. Years
Second tier 1 1993–94
Third tier 3 1964–65, 1988–89, 1992–93

Cups

Honour No. Years
Toto Cup (second division) 1 2012–13

European Record

Season Round Opponents Home leg Away leg Aggregate
1996–97 Qualifying Round Constructorul Chişinău 3–2 0–1 3–3 (a)

References

  1. History of Hapoel Rishon LeZion F.C. Hapoel Rishon LeZion fans Official Site (in Hebrew)
  2. At the centennial, Rishon LeZion will be at the top (Page 9) Hadshot HaSport, 16 May 1980, archive.football.co.il (in Hebrew)
  3. At the EIFA Davar, 1 December 1933, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
  4. Activities in Liga Bet South division Doar Hayom, 15 December 1933, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
  5. The Stadium Hapoel Rishon LeZion Official Site (in Hebrew)
  6. Club Hapoel Rishon LeZion fans Official Site (in Hebrew)
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