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
ManagerIsmaeel Amar
LeagueLiga Leumit
2020–21Liga 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 the second tier (Known as Liga Leumit) .

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 twelfth, and narrowly avoided relegation.

Season-by-season
SeasonLeague TierLeague Position
2015–16212th
2016–17210th
2017–1823rd
2018–19212th
2019–2025th
2020–2124th

Current squad

As to 8 February 2022
No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ISR Ben Vaitzman
3 DF  ISR Alon Shtrosberg
4 DF  ISR Roei Zrihan
5 DF  ISR Adi Nimni
7 MF  ISR Sean Malka
8 MF  ISR Ariel Lazmi
9 FW  PLE Fadi Zidan
10 MF  CIV Mohammed Bamba
11 MF  ISR Dan Kaduri
12 DF  CIV Abou Dosso
14 MF  ISR Gateon Triko
15 MF  ISR Vladimir Broun
16 MF  ISR Yaniv Segev
17 DF  ISR Amit Moseri
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 FW  ISR Netanel Askias
19 DF  ISR Roey Azut
20 DF  ISR Eyas Masalha
21 FW  BRA Mateus Lima
24 MF  ISR Yarden Abuhatzira
25 MF  ISR Ori Zohar
26 DF  ISR Omri Luzon
27 FW  ISR Shai Balhassen
29 FW  ISR Itay Levi
32 DF  ISR Shahar Barnea
33 MF  ISR Ariel Lazmi
70 DF  ISR Ori Tza'adon
84 GK  ISR Dor Hevron
99 FW  ISR Yuval Sasson

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 website (in Hebrew)
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