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.

The club is also known with their previous name Hapoel Ironi Rishon LeZion (Hebrew: הפועל עירוני ראשון לציון‎).

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

Current squad
As to 5 August 2020
No. Pos. Nation Player
7 MF  ISR Anas Dabour
8 FW  ISR Dolev Balulu
9 FW  ISR Eden Agami
10 MF  ISR Yaniv Bazini
11 MF  ISR Ben Amsalem
14 MF  ISR Abu Shaker
16 MF  CIV Mohammed Bamba
17 DF  ISR Amit Moseri
22 GK  ISR Tomer Asor
24 MF  ISR Ofek Cohen
25 MF  ISR Eden Dahan
30 DF  ISR Nadav Muniss
31 DF  ISR Dor Malichi
No. Pos. Nation Player
34 DF  ISR Daniil Shevaikov
55 GK  ISR Yehonatan Shabi
99 GK  ISR Shahar Amsalem
— DF  ISR Gil Sellam
— DF  ISR Osher Amos
— DF  CIV Abou Dosso
— DF  ISR Ovadia Darwish
— MF  ISR Moulat Gabra
— MF  ISR Ori Zohar
— MF  ISR Daniel Konizki
— FW  ISR Gil Itzhak
— FW  ISR Yagil Ohana

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)
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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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