Tal Hen ( he, טל חן) (born August 4, 1979) is a former

Israeli Israeli may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the State of Israel * Israelis, citizens or permanent residents of the State of Israel * Modern Hebrew, a language * ''Israeli'' (newspaper), published from 2006 to 2008 * Guni Israeli ...

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...

player.

Career

Hen began his career as a defender for Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. youth team. Hen also

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

ed the Israeli national youth team. In 2000 Hen transferred to

Maccabi Netanya Maccabi Netanya F.C. ( he, מועדון כדורגל מכבי נתניה, ''Football Club Maccabi Netanya'') is an Israeli football club based in Netanya. Established in 1934, the club was a founding member of the Israeli League in 1949. Afte ...

. A year later he moved to

Hapoel Haifa Hapoel Haifa Football Club ( he, מועדון הכדורגל הפועל חיפה, ''Moadon HaKaduregel Hapoel Haifa'') is an Israeli football club located in the city of Haifa. The club won one championship (1998–99) and 4 Israeli cups ( ...

who were relegated to the National League that season and played there the following year. During the 2003/2004 season he transferred to Hapoel Tel Aviv. On his debut Tal scored the first goal of three that led the team to a victory against

Beitar Jerusalem Beitar Jerusalem Football Club ( he, מועדון כדורגל בית"ר ירושלים, Moadon Kaduregel Beitar Yerushalayim), commonly known as Beitar Jerusalem () or simply as Beitar (), is an Israeli football club based in the city of Jeru ...

. That performance secured his place in the first team squad. Throughout the 2004/2005 season he was one of the most prominent players in the team as he was one of the players that helped Hapoel Tel Aviv avoid relegation from the

Israeli Premier League The Israeli Premier League ( he, ליגת העל, ''Ligat Ha`Al'', ), is a professional association football league which operates as the highest division of the Israeli Football League – the state's league of Israel. The league is contested b ...

. Due to his sterling performances Hen was called up to the

Israel national football team The Israel national football team ( he, נבחרת ישראל בכדורגל, ) represents Israel in international football, and is governed by the Israel Football Association (IFA). Israel's national team is the direct successor of the M ...

. He received the accolade of “Exceptional Player” from Hapoel Tel Aviv fans at the end of the 2004/2005 season. He won the

Israeli Cup The Israel State Cup ( he, גביע המדינה, ''Gvia HaMedina''), is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israel Football Association (IFA). The State Cup was first held in 1928 as the People's Cup. Because it involve ...

in the 2005/2006 season, this was his first piece of silverware. As a boy he supported Arsenal F.C. and has said his favourite player was Steve Bould

Honours

Israel State Cup The Israel State Cup ( he, גביע המדינה, ''Gvia HaMedina''), is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israel Football Association (IFA). The State Cup was first held in 1928 as the People's Cup. Because it involve ...

(3): **2006, 2007, 2013 * Toto Cup (Leumit) (1) ** 2011 *

Liga Leumit Liga Leumit ( he, ליגה לאומית, lit. ''National League'') is the second division of the Israeli Football League, and below its Premier League. Structure There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the two lowest-place ...

** 2011-12

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hen, Tal 1979 births Living people Israeli Jews Israeli footballers Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. players Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. players Maccabi Netanya F.C. players Bnei Sakhnin F.C. players Hapoel Ramat Gan F.C. players Hapoel Bnei Lod F.C. players Liga Leumit players Israeli Premier League players Footballers from Holon Israeli people of Moroccan-Jewish descent Association football central defenders