Hazan, Alon

Hazan was a reliable, talented, and intelligent veteran player. He was an Israeli national team regular from 1990-2000 making 72 appearances while scoring four goals. He shared in the amazing victory over France in 1993, and scored a memorable goal against Spain in a 1998 qualifier.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Sept, 14, 1967

Career Highlights:
Born and bred as a proud Ashdodian, Hazan came up with the now defunct Hapoel Ashdod youth team, and excelled for Israel at all youth age levels. Hapoel Petah Tikva's youth team, then under Avraham Grant, snatched the prodigy at age 16, and Hazan helped the Blues capture the youth championship.

Alon returned to Hapoel Ashdod, who were now way down in the third division (League A), and even with Hazan's best efforts, Ashdod could not win promotion to the second division. Frustrated with the team's lack of success, Hazan embarked on a second tenure at Petah Tikva. A delighted Grant built his side around the midfielder. In 1990-91, Petah Tikva reached the State Cup final, but lost, 3-1, to Maccabi Haifa. Soccer fans were touched by Hazan's emotion when he openly wept that night.

In 1991-92, Hazan played impeccably on the right wing, banging in pin-pointed crosses. Petah Tikva won the State Cup that year thanks to a couple of extra-time assists Alon made in the final. Maccabi Haifa coach Giora Shpigel decided he must have the player at all costs, and payed $175,000 for Hazan, an Israeli record at the time. In response, Alon took the Haifa midfield to another level and helped the Greens to the 1992-93 State Cup. Haifa beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 in the final.

Alon was a crucial part of the unforgettable 1993-94 Haifa side that did not lose a single game that year in the league and cruised to the Israel League championship. In the European Cup Winners Cup, they beat Italian giants Parma in Italy, although they still lost on aggregate. Hazan managed another State Cup win with Haifa during the 1994-95 season. In Europe, Maccabi was routed by a strong Casino Salzburg side though Hazan scored in the away leg. Hazan scored five goals in the campaign and provided many chances for Haim Revivo and Offer Shitrit upfront.

1995-96 was a mediocre year for Haifa (they finished second in the league), and a bad one for Alon; he scored six goals but looked uninspired. Hazan was dropped from the team at the end of the season, and a struggling Hapoel Tel Aviv picked him up. He scored three goals and helped coach Dror Kashtan pull off a miracle by keeping the Reds from relegation that year.

Hazan returned to his home town of Ashdod for the 1997-98 season, but was signed mid-season by English Second Division side, Watford. Hazan played 38 times for the club owned by Elton John, and helped them to First Division promotion. By this time the aging player had been transformed from a midfielder to a right-sided defender. He spent the 1998-99 season in London as well, along with countryman Ronny Rosenthal .

In 1999-2000, Hazan re-signed with S.C Ashdod and became their undisputed leader and captain. Hazan scored nine goals and the underdogs enjoyed a solid season, finishing in eighth place, far from the ominous red line. Hazan was injured throughout much of the 2000-01 season and Ashdod seemed like a ship without a rudder, languishing in last place. When Hazan returned, the team not only gelled, but they put together some of the most exciting perfomances of the season.

In 2001-02, Hazan's Ashdod upset the league table by finishing in fourth place. The captain scored three goals and led a talented young squad, built almost exclusively on homegrown talent, to the top of the league.

Hazan's team did not do nearly as well in 2002-03 and found themselves fighting for survival. Alon scored five goals and made three assists. Hazan displayed good form for Ashdod in 2003-04 as he helped the team fight tooth and nail for survival. He scored two penalties and helped the ailing team avoid relegation. Towards the end of the season Alon announced his retirement as player and took up a job in S.C Ashdod's management.

Origin:
Ashdod, Israel

Position:
Right sided midfielder and defender

Physical description:
6"0

175 pounds

Career Statistics:
72 caps/ 4 goals

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