The 1956–57 season was the ninth season of competitive football in Israel and the 31st season under the Israeli Football Association, established in 1928, during the British Mandate.
| Season | 1956–57 | |
|---|---|---|
| Men's football | ||
| Liga Leumit | Hapoel Tel Aviv | |
| Liga Alef | Hapoel Kfar Saba | |
| Liga Bet | Hapoel Balfouria Shimshon Tel Aviv | |
| State Cup | Hapoel Petah Tikva | |
| ||
Review and Events edit
In September 1956, the national team participated in the inaugural AFC Asian Cup competition, finishing as runners-up.
In the penultimate round of Liga Alef, Hapoel Kfar Saba, who were leading the table, scored a 12–0 victory against Hapoel Nahariya, while its rival for promotion, Maccabi Rehovot score an 11–0 victory against local rival Maccabi Sha'arayim. The IFA set up a committee, headed by the IFA president, Yosef-Michael Lamm to investigate the results. After the investigation the committee decided to set promotion play-offs for the five teams involved in promotion battles.[1][2] The play-offs were held after the summer break, at the beginning of the next season.
At the end of the league season, the top division was re-expanded to 12 teams. No club was relegated from Liga Leumit, while two teams were promoted (after the completion of the special promotion play-offs). The bottom club in Liga Leumit, Maccabi Jaffa entered a promotion/relegation play-offs again the third-placed club from 1956–57 Liga Alef. As Hapoel Jerusalem finished third in Liga Alef, prior to the committee's decision to hold the promotion play-offs, Maccabi Jaffa and Hapoel Jerusalem played the first match, resulting in a 1–1 draw. The second match was delayed and then cancelled as the committee ordered the play-offs.
Domestic leagues edit
Promotion and relegation edit
The following promotions and relegations took place at the end of the season (including the Liga Alef promotion play-offs, played at the beginning of the next season):
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None
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1. Hapoel Balfouria merged with Hapoel Afula. The merged team, although at times appearing as Hapoel Balfouria or Hapoel Afula/Balfouria, eventually retained the name Hapoel Afula and played with this name since.
National teams edit
National team edit
1956 AFC Asian Cup edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  South Korea
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 5 | Champions |
| 2 |  Israel
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 | Runners-up |
| 3 |  Hong Kong (H)
|
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 2 | Third place |
| 4 |  South Vietnam
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | −3 | 1 | Fourth place |
1956–57 matches edit
| 1 September 1956 AFC Asian Cup | Hong Kong  | 2–3 | Israel | Hong Kong |
| 19:00 | Au Chi Yin  12', 66' |
Glazer 37', 76' Stelmach 69' |
Stadium: Government Stadium Attendance: 30,000 Referee: Sheppard (England) |
| 8 September 1956 AFC Asian Cup | Israel | 1–2 | South Korea | Hong Kong |
| 19:00 | Stelmach 71' |
Woo Sang-kwon 52' Sung Nak-woon 64' |
Stadium: Government Stadium Attendance: 20,000 Referee: Trương Văn Ky (Vietnam) |
| 12 Sept 1956 AFC Asian Cup | Israel | 2–1 | South Vietnam | Hong Kong |
| 19:00 | Stelmach 14', 27' |
Trần Văn Tổng 58' |
Stadium: Government Stadium Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Tucker (England) |
References edit
- ^ The Ball Had Been Returned to the Footballers[permanent dead link] Uri Dan, Ma'ariv, 9 July 1957, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
- ^ Football commission of inquiry: "Five more play-off matches will be held" Heruth, 9.7.1957, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)