Hapoel Iksal F.C.

Hapoel Iksal (Hebrew: הפועל איכסל‎) is an Israeli football club based in Iksal. The club currently plays in Liga Leumit.

Hapoel Imad Iksal
Full nameHapoel Iksal Football Club
הפועל איכסל
Founded1971
GroundIksal Ground, Iksal
ManagerEliran Hudeda
LeagueLiga Leumit
2019–20Liga Alef North, 1st (promoted)

History

The club played mostly in the lower divisions of Israeli football. In the 1998–99 season, the club finished third in Liga Alef North division and promoted to Liga Artzit, which became the third tier of Israeli football due to the formation of the Israeli Premier League in that season. Hapoel Iksal's spell in Liga Artzit lasted one season, as they finished bottom at the 1999–2000 season with only 2 wins out of 33 matches and relegated to back Liga Alef. In the following season, the club finished bottom in Liga Alef North and suffered subsequent relegation, this time to Liga Bet, the fifth tier of Israeli football at the time.

In the 2007–08 season, the club finished runners-up in Liga Bet North B division and qualified for the Promotion play-offs. However, the club was eventually expelled from the play-offs, following an attempt for match fixing, prior to their match with Beitar Haifa. As a result, the club was punished by 15 points deduction in the following season[1] (which later became 17).

In the 2012–13 season, the club finished third in Liga Bet North B (now as the fourth tier) and qualified once more for the Promotion play-offs. After beating F.C. Tzeirei Tur'an, Maccabi Ahi Iksal and Hapoel Kaukab, they faced Maccabi Kafr Kanna in the decisive promotion/relegation play-offs. After 1–1 draw in 120 minutes, Iksal lost in penalties and remained in Liga Bet.[2]

In the 2014–15 season, the club finished third in Liga Bet North B, and this time had a successful Promotion play-offs. After beating Maccabi Ein Mahil, Hapoel Daliyat al-Karmel and Maccabi Ironi Acre, Hapoel Iksal faced Hapoel Asi Gilboa in the decisive promotion/relegation play-offs. Iksal won 1–0 and were promoted to Liga Alef. In the 2017–18 season Iksal finished 1st and were promoted to Liga Leumit for the first time in the Club history.

Current squad
As of 16 July 2020
No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ISR Matan Ambar
2 DF  ISR Nogen Hen
4 MF  ISR Sabre Khatib
5 MF  ISR Shlomi Hanuka
6 DF  ISR Amash Mantzur
7 FW  ISR Timor Avitan
8 MF  BRA Renan
9 FW  BRA Julio César
10 MF  ISR Amir Lavi
11 FW  ISR Nir Abergel
12 DF  ISR Majd Nasiri
13 GK  ISR Gabriel Cohen
15 MF  ISR Ofek Brazani
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 DF  ISR Bar Hillel
19 DF  ISR Elias Zana
23 MF  ISR Osama Mresat
31 DF  ISR Mustafa Zarzour
44 GK  ISR Amal Hair
51 DF  ISR Haithem Drausha
77 FW  ISR Abd Alhakim Shawan
— GK  ISR Ben Weitzman
— DF  ISR Ihab Shalbi
— MF  ISR Murad Darawsha
— FW  ISR Ahmad Abu Nahyeh
— FW  ISR Osama Sha'aban
— FW  ISR Almog Shankur

Honours

League
Honour No. Years
Fifth tier 1 1982–83
Third tier 1 2017–18

Cups
Honour No. Years
Liga Bet divisional State Cup 1 2011–12

References
  1. Iksal dismissed from the play-offs Asher Goldberg, telesport.co.il, 22.5.2008 (in Hebrew)
  2. Mreeh: "That's the beauty and cruelty of football". Abu Khalef: "Very difficult season" Doublepass, 17.5.2013 (in Hebrew)
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