1951–52 in Israeli football

Football in Israel

Season	1951–52
Liga Alef	Maccabi Tel Aviv
Liga Bet	Hapoel Balfouria Hapoel Kfar Saba
State Cup	Maccabi Petah Tikva
← 1950–51 1952–53 →

The 1951–52 season was the 4th season of competitive football in Israel and the 26th season under the Israeli Football Association, established in 1928, during the British Mandate.

Review and Events

• In September 1951, Hapoel Tel Aviv conducted a tour of England, playing against Arsenal (losing 1–6^[1]), Manchester United (losing 0–6) and Leeds United (losing 0–2).
• In April 1952, Maccabi Tel Aviv departed on a tour of Turkey. Maccabi played Hacettepe, winning 1–0,^[2] Ankara Demirspor, winning 3–0,^[3] Ankaragücü, losing 2–3,^[4] Gençlerbirliği, losing 0–2^[5] and Fenerbahçe, drawing 1–1.^[6]
• On 30 April 1952, Independence Day, the annual Jerusalem Cup was contested for the second time. The teams competing for the cup were selected XI from different cities. In the cup semi-finals, played on 19 April 1952, Jerusalem XI had beaten Haifa XI 4–3 and Petah Tikva XI defeated Ramat Gan XI 3–1. In the final, played at YMCA Stadium in Jerusalem, Petah Tikva XI won 5–0.^[7]
• In May 1952 work began on Kiryat Haim Stadium.^[8]

IFA Competitions

League competitions

Competition		Winner	Promotion	Relegated
Liga Alef		Maccabi Tel Aviv		Hapoel Rishon LeZion Maccabi Rishon LeZion
Liga Bet	North	Hapoel Balfouria		Hapoel Kfat Ata Hapoel HaNamal Haifa [note 1]
	South	Hapoel Kfar Saba		Maccabi Nes Tziona Hapoel HaNamal Jaffa
Liga Gimel			Hapoel Nahariya Ahva Notzrit Haifa Hapoel Mahane Yehuda Hapoel Mishmar HaShiva

1951–52 Israel State Cup

The competition took place between 24 November 1951 and 7 June 1952. Maccabi Petah Tikva beaten Maccabi Tel Aviv 1–0 in the final.

National Teams

National team

No matches were played by the national team during the season.

Notes

1. Hapoel Dror Haifa was reprieved from relegation as the IFA expelled from Liga Bet following as its players rioted during a match against Hakoach Haifa.^[9]

References

1. Highbury's first game under floodlights 11 July 2007, arsenal.com
2. Maccabi Tel Aviv Won in Ankara Ma'ariv, 24 April 1952, Historical Jewish Press (Hebrew)
3. Maccabi T.A. Matches in Ankara Ma'ariv, 27 August 1952, Historical Jewish Press (Hebrew)
4. Maccabi Lost 2:3 in Ankara Al HaMishmar, 28 April 1952, Historical Jewish Press (Hebrew)
5. Maccabi Lost in Ankara 2:0 Al HaMishmar, 4 May 1952, Historical Jewish Press (Hebrew)
6. Maccabi Departed Turkey With a Draw Davar, 9 May 1952, Historical Jewish Press (Hebrew)
7. Petah Tikva Won the Independence Cup Al HaMismar, 2 May 1952, Historical Jewish Press (Hebrew)
8. Erecting the Stadium in Kiryat Haim - to the Execution Phase Al Hamishmar, 8 May 1952, Historical Jewish Press
9. Hapoel HaNamal Haifa club suspended from games Al HaMishmar, 18.5.52, Historical Jewish Press (Hebrew)