David Ben Dayan
Encyclopedia
David "Dedi" Ben Dayan is an Israel
i football (soccer) defender, who last played for Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel
. He is known for his good tackling, and also speed and his ability to join the attack.
by then manager, Richard Møller Nielsen
, for a friendly against Hungary
. His most successful club season though was in 2001–02 when he started and helped the club win the Israel State Cup having not played a single fixture in the clubs previous cup title.
In 2002 Dedi was transferred to Hapoel Petah Tikva where he would start each match but was unimpressive, usually being the first player substituted. He moved on to Hapoel Kfar Saba
but after the club was relegated and Dedi was left in 2003 looking for a new club in a little less than a year.
Dedi Ben Dayan would head south to Be'er Sheva to join Hapoel for the 2003–04 season. There he would revive his career playing under Eli Guttman
. This even led to him getting a second chance to play on the national team, but he only featured in two friendlies against Azerbaijan
and Moldova
.
i ever to play in the United States' top football league, Major League Soccer
, when he signed a one year contract with Colorado Rapids
(the other was Guy Melamed
who was released on a free transfer shortly after Ben Dayan's arrival). When his first season ended, Dedi had proven his worth to Colorado manager, Fernando Clavijo
, and was signed to a three year contract estimated at $120,000 per annum.During his time there, when Dedi would score a goal for Colorado at INVESCO Field, he would generally run to his family in Colorado who would throw him the Israeli flag.
and wanted to be closer to his family. In an interview with a sport website, Ben Dayan stated that he did not improve at all during his time in the United States and it was time to go back to Israel
. The website in turn stated that his time there was a waste.
.
After seven years of dating, Ben Dayan married Dana Farkash at the Royal Garden Hotel in Eilat, Israel in a Jewish ceremony. Among the guests were numerous Israeli celebrities and professional footballers.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i football (soccer) defender, who last played for Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. He is known for his good tackling, and also speed and his ability to join the attack.
Playing career
Ben Dayan started his career at Maccabi Tel-Aviv, where he saw limited action over the span of 5 seasons. After a break out 2000–01 season, Ben Dayan was called up to the Israel national football teamIsrael national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
by then manager, Richard Møller Nielsen
Richard Møller Nielsen
Richard Møller Nielsen , nicknamed Ricardo, is a Danish former football player and football manager. His greatest triumph came when he coached the Danish national football team which surprisingly won the 1992 European Championship tournament. In 1995, he was knighted as Knight 1st Degree of the...
, for a friendly against Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. His most successful club season though was in 2001–02 when he started and helped the club win the Israel State Cup having not played a single fixture in the clubs previous cup title.
In 2002 Dedi was transferred to Hapoel Petah Tikva where he would start each match but was unimpressive, usually being the first player substituted. He moved on to Hapoel Kfar Saba
Hapoel Kfar Saba
Hapoel Kfar Saba F.C. are an Israeli football club based in Kfar Saba. They are currently in the Israeli Premier League and play at the Levita Stadium.-History:...
but after the club was relegated and Dedi was left in 2003 looking for a new club in a little less than a year.
Dedi Ben Dayan would head south to Be'er Sheva to join Hapoel for the 2003–04 season. There he would revive his career playing under Eli Guttman
Eli Guttman
Eli Guttman is an Israeli football manager.He won his first Israeli title in 1997, winning the Israel State Cup with Hapoel Be'er Sheva.He coached Hapoel Haifa during the 1998-99 season, in which the club won their first Liga Leumit title....
. This even led to him getting a second chance to play on the national team, but he only featured in two friendlies against Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national football team
The Azerbaijan national football team is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan...
and Moldova
Moldova national football team
The Moldova national football team represents Moldova in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Moldova, the governing body for football in Moldova. Moldova's home ground is Zimbru Stadium in Chişinău and their head coach is Gavril Balint...
.
Move to the United States
After two seasons in Be'er Sheva, Ben Dayan became the second IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i ever to play in the United States' top football league, Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
, when he signed a one year contract with Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
(the other was Guy Melamed
Guy Melamed
Guy Melamed is an Israeli soccer defender.Melamed came to the United States to play college soccer at Boston College, and was a four-year starter for the Eagles. He was named All-Big East his last three years in school...
who was released on a free transfer shortly after Ben Dayan's arrival). When his first season ended, Dedi had proven his worth to Colorado manager, Fernando Clavijo
Fernando Clavijo
Fernando Clavijo is a retired American soccer football defender and former head coach of the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. He played three seasons in the American Soccer League, two in the North American Soccer League and ten in the Major Indoor Soccer League...
, and was signed to a three year contract estimated at $120,000 per annum.During his time there, when Dedi would score a goal for Colorado at INVESCO Field, he would generally run to his family in Colorado who would throw him the Israeli flag.
Return to Israel
Dedi returned to Israel to play for Maccabi Netanya in August 2006. He stated that he asked to return due to the Second Lebanon War2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
The 2006 Lebanon War, also called the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War and known in Lebanon as the July War #Other uses|Tammūz]]) and in Israel as the Second Lebanon War , was a 34-day military conflict in Lebanon, northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied territories. The principal parties were Hezbollah...
and wanted to be closer to his family. In an interview with a sport website, Ben Dayan stated that he did not improve at all during his time in the United States and it was time to go back to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. The website in turn stated that his time there was a waste.
Personal life
Ben Dayan is Jewish. While playing for the Colorado Rapids, Ben Dayan was dismayed that he had to miss a league match due to its falling out on Yom KippurYom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
.
After seven years of dating, Ben Dayan married Dana Farkash at the Royal Garden Hotel in Eilat, Israel in a Jewish ceremony. Among the guests were numerous Israeli celebrities and professional footballers.
Honours
- Toto CupToto CupThe Toto Cup is an association football tournament that exists separately in the two highest divisions in Israel: the Premier League and Liga Leumit....
(1):- 1998–99
- Israel State CupIsrael State CupThe State Cup , is a knockout cup competition in Israeli football, run by the Israeli Football Association.The State Cup was first held in 1927–28 as the Palestine Cup...
(4):- 2001, 2002, 2010, 2011
- Israeli Premier League (1):
- 2009–10
See also
- List of select Jewish football (association; soccer) players