Liga Leumit 2008-09
Encyclopedia
The 2008–09 Liga Leumit
season began on 29 August 2008, and ended on 29 May 2009.
Two teams from Liga Artzit
were promoted at the end of the previous season: Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata
along with two teams relegated from Israeli Premier League: Maccabi Herzliya and Hapoel Kfar Saba.
The two teams relegated to Liga Artzit were Hapoel Nazareth Illit and Ironi Rishon LeZion.
Due to an expected league expension, at the end of the season five clubs were automatically promoted to the Israeli Premier League, whilst the sixth-placed club in Liga Leumit played in a play-off match against the 11th-placed team in the Premier League. Only one team relegated automatically, and one team played in a play-off match against a team from Liga Artzit
(which ceased to exist, with the regionalised Liga Alef
becoming the third tier).
2
----
as the 11th-placed team faced the 8th-placed Liga Artzit
team Maccabi Kafr Kanna
for a two-legged playoff, Ironi Ramat HaSharon
won both games and will continue playing in Liga Leumit
next season.
----
1Currently undergoing construction work to convert it to a 5,000-seat stadium. In the meanwhile they play at the Nahariya Municipal Stadium.
Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
season began on 29 August 2008, and ended on 29 May 2009.
Two teams from Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit was the third tier of Israeli football after the Premier League and Liga Leumit, and was run by the Israel Football Association.-Structure:...
were promoted at the end of the previous season: Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata
Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata F.C.
Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata is an Israeli football club, located in Kiryat Ata. They play in Liga Alef and play at the Kiryat Ata Municipal Stadium.-History:...
along with two teams relegated from Israeli Premier League: Maccabi Herzliya and Hapoel Kfar Saba.
The two teams relegated to Liga Artzit were Hapoel Nazareth Illit and Ironi Rishon LeZion.
Due to an expected league expension, at the end of the season five clubs were automatically promoted to the Israeli Premier League, whilst the sixth-placed club in Liga Leumit played in a play-off match against the 11th-placed team in the Premier League. Only one team relegated automatically, and one team played in a play-off match against a team from Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit was the third tier of Israeli football after the Premier League and Liga Leumit, and was run by the Israel Football Association.-Structure:...
(which ceased to exist, with the regionalised Liga Alef
Liga Alef
-History:League football began in Israel in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga Alef...
becoming the third tier).
Positions by round
Results
The schedule consisted of three rounds. During first two rounds, each team played each other once home and away for a total of 22 matches. The pairings of the third round were then set according to the standings after first two rounds, giving every team a third game against each opponent for a total of 33 games per team.First and second round
Third round
Key numbers for pairing determination (number marks position after 22 games):| Rounds | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23rd | 24th | 25th | 26th | 27th | 28th | 29th | 30th | 31st | 32nd | 33rd |
| 3 – 12 4 – 2 5 – 1 6 – 11 7 – 10 8 – 9 |
12 – 9 10 – 8 11 – 7 1 – 6 2 – 5 3 – 4 |
4 – 12 5 – 3 6 – 2 7 – 1 8 – 11 9 – 10 |
12 – 10 11 – 9 1 – 8 2 – 7 3 – 6 4 – 5 |
5 – 12 6 – 4 7 – 3 8 – 2 9 – 1 10 – 11 |
12 – 11 1 – 10 2 – 9 3 – 8 4 – 7 5 – 6 |
6 – 12 7 – 5 8 – 4 9 – 3 10 – 2 11 – 1 |
1 – 12 2 – 11 3 – 10 4 – 9 5 – 8 6 – 7 |
12 – 7 8 – 6 9 – 5 10 – 4 11 – 3 1 – 2 |
2 – 12 3 – 1 4 – 11 5 – 10 6 – 9 7 – 8 |
12 – 8 9 – 7 10 – 6 11 – 5 1 – 4 2 – 3 |
2
Promotion playoff
Maccabi Ahi Nazareth as the 6th-placed team faced the 11th-placed Israeli Premier League team Hakoah Ramat Gan for a two-legged playoff. Maccabi Ahi Nazareth won both games and were promoted to the Israeli Premier League.----
Relegation playoff
Ironi Ramat HaSharonIroni Nir Ramat HaSharon F.C.
Hapoel Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Football Club is an Israeli football based in Ramat HaSharon. They are currently plays in Israeli Premier League at the Winter Stadium, Ramat Gan.-History:...
as the 11th-placed team faced the 8th-placed Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit was the third tier of Israeli football after the Premier League and Liga Leumit, and was run by the Israel Football Association.-Structure:...
team Maccabi Kafr Kanna
Maccabi Kafr Kanna F.C.
Maccabi Kafr Kanna is an Israeli football club based in Kafr Kanna. The club is currently in Liga Artzit and plays its home matches at the Azmi Nassar Stadium, named after Azmi Nassar-History:...
for a two-legged playoff, Ironi Ramat HaSharon
Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon F.C.
Hapoel Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Football Club is an Israeli football based in Ramat HaSharon. They are currently plays in Israeli Premier League at the Winter Stadium, Ramat Gan.-History:...
won both games and will continue playing in Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
next season.
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Scoring
- First goal of the season: Eran LevyEran Levy-External links: at Hapoel Haifa at Maccabi Haifa at IFA...
for Hapoel Haifa against Hapoel AcreHapoel Acre F.C.Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:...
, 26th minute (29 August 2008) - Widest winning margin: 6 goals – Hapoel AcreHapoel Acre F.C.Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:...
7–1 Hapoel Haifa (22 May 2009) - Most goals in a match: 8 goals – Hapoel AcreHapoel Acre F.C.Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:...
7–1 Hapoel Haifa (22 May 2009)
Discipline
- First yellow card of the season: Muhamad Brik for Hapoel AcreHapoel Acre F.C.Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:...
against Hapoel Haifa, 3rd minute (29 August 2008) - First red card of the season: Bryan GerzicichBryan GerzicichBryan Paul Gerzičić is an American-Argentine professional football player at Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona.- Biography :Two years after leaving Hapoel Haifa for Hapoel Acre, Gerzičić rejoined Haifa.- Statistics :...
for Hapoel AcreHapoel Acre F.C.Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:...
against Hapoel Haifa, 36th minute (29 August 2008) - Most red cards in a single match: 3 – Hapoel AcreHapoel Acre F.C.Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:...
2–1 Maccabi Ahi Nazareth - 3 for Maccabi Ahi Nazareth (Amjad Suliman, Yakir Shina & Serge AyeliSerge AyeliSerge Yves Ayeli is a football striker born in Côte d'Ivoire who currently playing for Maccabi Ahi Nazareth.-External links:*...
) (6 December 2008)
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ohad KadousiOhad Kadousi Ohad Kadousi is an Israeli footballer.Ohad Kadousi began his career with Maccabi Petah Tikva where he played from age 8. In the season 2004/2005 he got the chance to play with the senior team. After a half year, he signed with Maccabi Herzliya where he played in Liga Leumit. One year later he... |
Hapoel Be'er Sheva | 18 |
| 2 | Eran Levy Eran Levy -External links: at Hapoel Haifa at Maccabi Haifa at IFA... |
Hapoel Haifa | 13 |
| Achmad Saba'a Achmad Saba'a Achmad Saba'a is an Israeli Arab professional association football player currently contracted to Maccabi Netanya.-Hapoel Majd al-Kurum:Achmad grew up in the youth ranks of Hapoel Majd al-Kurum and made his debut for the senior side in 1997. In 1999-00 he was one the main players in the club's... |
Hapoel Bnei Lod | 13 | |
 Serge AyeliSerge Ayeli Serge Yves Ayeli is a football striker born in Côte d'Ivoire who currently playing for Maccabi Ahi Nazareth.-External links:*... |
Maccabi Ahi Nazareth | 13 | |
| 5 | Shay Aharon Shay Aharon Shay Aharon is an Israeli footballer who plays for Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem.Aharon use to play for Hapoel Jerusalem there he is regarded as an icon.On 3 May 2010 he was appointed as the manager of Hapoel while still an active player in the club-Honours:... |
Hapoel Jerusalem | 12 |
| 6 |  Irakliy GeperidzeIrakliy Geperidze Irakliy Geperidze is a Georgian professional football player. He also holds Russian citizenship. Currently, he plays for FC Lokomotiv-2 Moscow.-External links:*... |
Hapoel Haifa | 11 |
| 7 | Dovev Gabay |
Maccabi Herzliya | 10 |
 Emmanuel BanaheneEmmanuel Banahene Emmanuel Banahene Osei is a Ghanaian football player currently playing at the position of striker for Orduspor in Turkey.-Career:... |
Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon F.C. Hapoel Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Football Club is an Israeli football based in Ramat HaSharon. They are currently plays in Israeli Premier League at the Winter Stadium, Ramat Gan.-History:... |
10 | |
| 9 | Ronen Shwartzman |
Hapoel Acre Hapoel Acre F.C. Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:... |
8 |
| Dudu Biton Dudu Biton David "Dudu" Biton is an Israeli footballer who plays as a striker for Wisła Kraków on loan from Charleroi.-Club:Biton played in the youth clubs of Beitar Nes Tubruk and Maccabi Haifa. He made his debut for Maccabi Haifa in Ligat ha'Al on 12 May 2006 in the last league fixture against Bnei... |
Hapoel Ra'anana | 8 | |
| Mor Golan |
Hapoel Ramat Gan | 8 | |
 Alain MasudiAlain Masudi Alain Masudi is a Congolese football player who currently plays in Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon.He was part of the Congolese 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished bottom of their group in the first round of competition, thus failing to secure qualification for the quarter-finals... |
Maccabi Herzliya | 8 | |
| Total | 457 | ||
| Average per game | 2.3 | ||
Stadia
| Club | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Hapoel Jerusalem | Teddy Stadium | 21,600 |
| Hapoel Haifa | Kiryat Eliezer Stadium Kiryat Eliezer Stadium The Haifa Municipal Stadium , more commonly known as Kiryat Eliezer , is a multi-use stadium in the Kiryat Eliezer neighborhood of Haifa, Israel. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Haifa... |
14,002 |
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | Vasermil Stadium Vasermil Stadium The Arthur Vasermil Municipal Stadium, commonly known as the Vasermil Stadium, is a football stadium in Beersheba, Israel. The stadium is designed as an open bowl , and formerly had a running track, though this has now been bricked over. The stadium is all-seated, and the capacity is 13,000.It is... |
13,000 |
| Maccabi Herzliya | Herzliya Municipal Stadium | 8,100 |
| Hapoel Ramat Gan | HaMakhtesh Stadium | 5,500 |
| Hapoel Kfar Saba | Levita Stadium Levita Stadium The Levita Stadium is a football stadium in Kfar Saba, Israel. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Hapoel Kfar Saba and Beitar Kfar Saba.... |
5,500 |
| Hapoel Acre Hapoel Acre F.C. Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:... |
Napoleon Stadium | 5,0001 |
| Maccabi Ahi Nazareth | Ilut Stadium Ilut Stadium The Ilut Stadium is a football stadium in Ilut, located near Nazareth in northern Israel. The stadium is the home ground of Maccabi Ahi Nazareth.... |
4,932 |
| Hapoel Ra'anana | Karnei Oren Memorial Field | 2,500 |
| Hapoel Bnei Lod | Lod Municipal Stadium | 2,000 |
| Ironi Ramat HaSharon Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon F.C. Hapoel Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Football Club is an Israeli football based in Ramat HaSharon. They are currently plays in Israeli Premier League at the Winter Stadium, Ramat Gan.-History:... |
Yankela Grundman Stadium | 2,000 |
| Maccabi Kiryat Ata Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata F.C. Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata is an Israeli football club, located in Kiryat Ata. They play in Liga Alef and play at the Kiryat Ata Municipal Stadium.-History:... |
Kiryat Ata Municipal Stadium | 726 |
1Currently undergoing construction work to convert it to a 5,000-seat stadium. In the meanwhile they play at the Nahariya Municipal Stadium.