The 2022–23 Saudi Professional League (known as the Roshn Saudi League for sponsorship reasons) was the 47th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. Fixtures for the first half of the 2022–23 season were announced on 4 August 2022.[3]
Season | 2022–2023 |
---|---|
Dates | 25 August 2022 – 31 May 2023 |
Champions | Al-Ittihad (9th title) |
Relegated | Al-Adalah Al-Batin |
AFC Champions League | Al-Ittihad Al-Hilal Al-Fayha Al-Nassr |
FIFA Club World Cup | Al-Ittihad |
Matches played | 240 |
Goals scored | 648 (2.7 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Abderrazak Hamdallah (21 goals) |
Biggest home win | Al-Ittihad 5–0 Al-Adalah (10 February 2023) Al-Raed 5–0 Damac (15 May 2023) |
Biggest away win | Al-Batin 0–5 Al-Fateh (8 September 2022) Al-Adalah 0–5 Al-Nassr (5 April 2023) |
Highest scoring | Al-Raed 2–4 Al-Fayha (14 January 2023) Al-Batin 2–4 Al-Shabab (9 February 2023) Al-Wehda 3–3 Al-Hilal (2 March 2023) Al-Fateh 1–5 Al-Ittihad (18 March 2023) Al-Fateh 2–4 Al-Adalah (15 May 2023) |
Longest winning run | Al-Ittihad Al-Shabab Al-Taawoun (6 matches) |
Longest unbeaten run | Al-Nassr (17 matches) |
Longest winless run | Al-Batin (17 matches) |
Longest losing run | Al-Khaleej (6 matches) |
Highest attendance | 59,892[1] Al-Ittihad 2–0 Al-Tai (31 May 2023) |
Lowest attendance | 284[2] Al-Wehda 0–1 Al-Fayha (31 May 2023) |
Total attendance | 2,241,254 |
Average attendance | 9,339 |
← 2021–22 2023–24 → |
Al-Hilal were the three-time defending champions after winning their recording extending 18th title last season.[4] Al-Adalah, Al-Khaleej, and Al-Wehda join as the three promoted clubs from the 2021–22 Yelo League.[5] They replaced Al-Ahli, Al-Faisaly, and Al-Hazem who were relegated to the 2022–23 Yelo League. The winner will play in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia as the host club.
On 27 May, Al-Ittihad secured their ninth league title, with one game to spare, following a 3–0 away win against Al-Fayha.[6] Al-Batin were the first team to be relegated following a 1–0 defeat away to Al-Ittihad on 23 May.[7] Al-Adalah were the second and final club to be relegated following a 2–0 home defeat to Al-Ettifaq on the final matchday.[8]
Overview
editChanges
editOn 14 April 2022, the Saudi FF announced that the number of teams in the Pro League 2023–24 season would be increased from 16 to 18 teams. To prepare for this change, only 2 teams would be relegated to the First Division League and 4 teams would be promoted to the Pro League.[9]
Name sponsorship
editOn 23 August 2022, the Saudi Pro League (SPL) announced that they had signed a sponsorship deal with real estate company Roshn. As part of the sponsorship deal, the Saudi Pro League would be known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) for the next 5 seasons.[10]
Teams
edit16 teams are competing in the league – the top 13 teams from the previous season and the 3 teams promoted from the FD League.
Teams who were promoted to the Pro League
All 3 teams were promoted on the final day of the season. Al-Khaleej were promoted and crowned champions following a 0–0 away draw with Najran.[11] Al-Khaleej return to the top flight for the first time since getting relegated in the 2016–17 season. Al-Khaleej will play in their 8th season in the top flight.
Al-Adalah were promoted following a 0–0 draw away to Jeddah.[12] Al-Adalah return to the top flight after an absence of two seasons. Al-Adalah will play in their 2nd season in the top flight.
Al-Wehda were promoted following a 3–0 away win against Al-Diriyah.[13] Al-Wehda will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence. Al-Wehda will play in their 38th season in the top flight.
Teams who were relegated to the FD League
Al-Hazem were the first team to be relegated following a 5–2 defeat away to Al-Ettifaq on 21 May.[14] Al-Hazem were relegated after just one year in the top flight. This was their second relegation in three years.
Both Al-Ahli and Al-Faisaly were relegated following on the final day of the season. Al-Ahli were relegated for the first time in their history following a 0–0 away draw with Al-Shabab.[15] They have previously competed in every edition of the Saudi Pro League since its inception in 1976–77. This is the first edition of the Pro League in which Al-Ahli will not be featured.
Al-Faisaly were relegated following a 2–1 away defeat to Al-Hilal.[16] Al-Faisaly were relegated after 12 consecutive seasons in the top flight.
Stadiums
edit- Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|
Abha | Abha | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium | 20,000[17] |
Al-Adalah | Al-Hasa (Al-Hulaylah) | Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium | 26,000[18] |
Al-Batin | Hafar al-Batin | Al-Batin Club Stadium | 6,000[19] |
Al-Ettifaq | Dammam | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium | 35,000[20] |
Al-Fateh | Al-Hasa (Hofuf) | Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium | 26,000[18] |
Al-Fayha | Al Majma'ah | Al Majma'ah Sports City | 7,000 |
Al-Hilal | Riyadh | King Fahd International Stadium Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium | 62,685 22,500 |
Al-Ittihad | Jeddah | King Abdullah Sports City | 62,345 |
Al-Khaleej | Saihat | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium (Dammam) | 35,000 |
Al-Nassr | Riyadh | Al-Awwal Park | 25,000 |
Al-Raed | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sport City Stadium | 25,000 |
Al-Shabab | Riyadh | Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium | 22,500 |
Al-Taawoun | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sport City Stadium Al-Taawoun Club Stadium | 25,000 5,961 |
Al-Tai | Ha'il | Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium | 12,000[21] |
Al-Wehda | Mecca | King Abdul Aziz Stadium | 38,000 |
Damac | Khamis Mushait | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium (Abha) Damac Club Stadium | 20,000 4,500 |
Personnel and kits
editTeam | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Abha | Roel Coumans | Abdullah Al-Zori | Offside | Hayat National Hospital, Tameeni, Yelo, Mezaj Maghribi1 |
Al-Adalah | Martin Ševela | Abdullah Al-Yousef | – | Tameeni, Yelo, Alnadeg1 |
Al-Batin | Zdravko Logarušić | Martín Campaña | Zeus | Tameeni, Almaali Hospital2 |
Al-Ettifaq | Antonio Cazorla (caretaker) | Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi | Offside | Alomar Furniture, Kammelna, Sky Ways, Tameeni, Saudi German Hospital1, Shgardi2, Tarmeem3 |
Al-Fateh | Giorgos Donis | Mohammed Al-Fuhaid | Offside | Al-Jabr Finance, Fuschia, Tameeni, Al Kifah Holding1, Almoosa Hospital1 |
Al-Fayha | Vuk Rašović | Sami Al-Khaibari | Offside | Al-Romaih Investment, Tameeni, Afaq Al Arabya1 |
Al-Hilal | Emiliano Díaz | Salman Al-Faraj | Puma | BLU Store, Jahez, Tawuniya1, Floward2, Shawarmer2 |
Al-Ittihad | Nuno Espírito Santo | Marcelo Grohe | Nike | Darco, SAL, Emkan1, Tameeni2, Yelo2, Oud Al-Amoudi3 |
Al-Khaleej | Pedro Emanuel | Abdullah Al-Harbi | Laser | Tameeni, Yelo, Locate1 |
Al-Nassr | Luís Castro (interim) | Cristiano Ronaldo | Nike | KAFD, Noug, Aroya Cruises2 |
Al-Raed | Marius Șumudică | Sultan Al-Farhan | Challenge | Alomar Furniture, Azom, Alsaif Gallery1, Shawarma King1, Tahaluf Capital1, B-Care2, Qaid2 |
Al-Shabab | Vicente Moreno | Éver Banega | Offside | Almozaini, Half Million, Mekyal1, Azom2, Bandar Real Estate2 |
Al-Taawoun | Péricles Chamusca | Naldo | Skillano | Mu4hela Cafe, Tameeni, Alnadeg1, Hayat National Hospital1, Alsaif Gallery2 |
Al-Tai | José Pedro Barreto | Abdulaziz Al-Harabi | RightAway Sport | Mashar, Tameeni, Abar1, Qaid2 |
Al-Wehda | José Luis Sierra | Waleed Bakshween | Erreà | FG Sports, Tameeni, Yelo, Al Tazaj1, Vveyon1, Qaid2 |
Damac | Cosmin Contra | Farouk Chafaï | Skillano | Bin Thaliba1, Mustasharak Hospital1, Qaid2, Lateen2 |
- 1 On the back of the strip.
- 2 On the right sleeve of the strip.
- 3 On the shorts.
Managerial changes
editForeign players
editThe number of foreign players was increased from 7 to 8. Clubs can register a total of eight foreign players over the course of the season, but only seven could be named in the matchday squad.[9]
- Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
- Players in italics were out of the squad or left the club within the season, after the pre-season transfer window, or in the mid-season transfer window, and at least had one appearance.
League table
editPos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Ittihad (C, Q) | 30 | 22 | 6 | 2 | 60 | 13 | +47 | 72 | Qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage and the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup |
2 | Al-Nassr | 30 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 63 | 18 | +45 | 67 | Qualified for the AFC Champions League play-off round |
3 | Al-Hilal[a] | 30 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 54 | 29 | +25 | 59 | Qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage |
4 | Al-Shabab | 30 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 57 | 33 | +24 | 56 | |
5 | Al-Taawoun | 30 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 46 | 34 | +12 | 55 | |
6 | Al-Fateh | 30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 48 | 43 | +5 | 43 | |
7 | Al-Ettifaq | 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 28 | 36 | −8 | 37 | |
8 | Damac | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 33 | 43 | −10 | 36 | |
9 | Al-Tai | 30 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 41 | 49 | −8 | 34[b] | |
10 | Al-Raed | 30 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 41 | 49 | −8 | 34[b] | |
11 | Al-Fayha[c] | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 31 | 43 | −12 | 33[d] | Qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage |
12 | Abha | 30 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 33 | 52 | −19 | 33[d] | |
13 | Al-Wehda | 30 | 8 | 8 | 14 | 26 | 43 | −17 | 32 | |
14 | Al-Khaleej | 30 | 9 | 4 | 17 | 30 | 44 | −14 | 31 | |
15 | Al-Adalah (R) | 30 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 30 | 56 | −26 | 28 | Relegated to the First Division League[44] |
16 | Al-Batin (R) | 30 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 27 | 63 | −36 | 20 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total goals scored; 6) Fair-play points (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[45]
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ Al-Hilal qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage as the 2022–23 King Cup winners.
- ^ a b Al-Tai finished ahead of Al-Raed on head-to-head points: Al-Tai: 4 pts, Al-Raed: 1 pts (Al-Raed 0–2 Al-Tai, Al-Tai 2–2 Al-Raed).
- ^ Al-Fayha qualified for the AFC Champions League group stage as the 2021–22 King Cup winners.
- ^ a b Al-Fayha finished ahead of Abha on head-to-head points: Al-Fayha: 4 pts, Abha: 1 pts (Abha 1–1 Al-Fayha, Al-Fayha 2–0 Abha).
Positions by round
editThe following table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve the chronological evolution, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward.
Leader, 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and AFC Champions League group stage | |
AFC Champions League play-offs | |
Relegation to FD League |
Results
editSeason statistics
edit- As of 31 May 2023
Scoring
editTop goalscorers
editRank | Player | Club | Goals[46] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Ittihad | 21 |
2 | Talisca | Al-Nassr | 20 |
3 | Odion Ighalo | Al-Hilal | 19 |
4 | Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | 17 |
5 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr | 14 |
6 | Cristian Guanca | Al-Shabab | 13 |
Romarinho | Al-Ittihad | ||
8 | Carlos | Al-Shabab | 12 |
9 | Mohamed Fouzair | Al-Raed | 11 |
Aaron Boupendza | Al-Shabab |
Hat-tricks
editPlayer | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knowledge Musona | Al-Tai | Al-Khaleej | 3–0 (H) | 6 October 2022 | [47] |
Talisca | Al-Nassr | Al-Raed | 4–1 (A) | 16 December 2022 | [48] |
Cristiano Ronaldo4 | Al-Nassr | Al-Wehda | 4–0 (A) | 9 February 2023 | [49] |
Cristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr | Damac | 3–0 (A) | 25 February 2023 | [50] |
Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Ittihad | Al-Fateh | 5–1 (A) | 18 March 2023 | [51] |
Karim El Berkaoui | Al-Raed | Al-Batin | 3–1 (H) | 2 May 2023 | [52] |
Mohamed Fouzair | Al-Raed | Damac | 5–0 (H) | 15 May 2023 | [53] |
Aaron Boupendza4 | Al-Shabab | Damac | 4–1 (A) | 31 May 2023 | [54] |
- Note
(H) – Home; (A) – Away
4 Player scored 4 goals
Clean sheets
editRank | Player | Club | Clean sheets[55] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | 19 |
2 | Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | 12 |
3 | Kim Seung-gyu | Al-Shabab | 11 |
4 | Paulo Victor | Al-Ettifaq | 10 |
5 | David Ospina | Al-Nassr | 8 |
Jacob Rinne | Al-Fateh | ||
Moustapha Zeghba | Damac | ||
8 | Victor Braga | Al-Tai | 7 |
Vladimir Stojković | Al-Fayha | ||
10 | Nawaf Al-Aqidi | Al-Nassr | 6 |
Mailson | Al-Taawoun |
Discipline
editPlayer
edit- Most yellow cards: 9[56]
- Bassam Al-Hurayji (Al-Batin)
- Most red cards: 2[56]
- Fahad Al-Harbi (Al-Adalah)
- Sanousi Hawsawi (Al-Ettifaq)
Club
edit- Most yellow cards: 69[56]
- Al-Batin
- Most red cards: 5[56]
- Al-Adalah
- Al-Taawoun
Attendances
editBy round
editRound | Total | GP. | Avg. Per Game |
---|---|---|---|
Round 1 | 68,851 | 8 | 8,606 |
Round 2 | 81,053 | 8 | 10,132 |
Round 3 | 61,568 | 8 | 7,696 |
Round 4 | 69,264 | 8 | 8,658 |
Round 5 | 46,341 | 8 | 5,793 |
Round 6 | 87,515 | 8 | 10,939 |
Round 7 | 53,182 | 8 | 6,648 |
Round 8 | 97,330 | 8 | 12,166 |
Round 9 | 31,208 | 8 | 3,901 |
Round 10 | 74,917 | 8 | 9,365 |
Round 11 | 63,815 | 8 | 7,977 |
Round 12 | 83,926 | 8 | 10,491 |
Round 13 | 39,356 | 8 | 4,920 |
Round 14 | 76,291 | 8 | 9,536 |
Round 15 | 58,047 | 8 | 7,256 |
Round 16 | 108,962 | 8 | 13,620 |
Round 17 | 73,027 | 8 | 9,128 |
Round 18 | 87,064 | 8 | 10,883 |
Round 19 | 95,271 | 8 | 11,909 |
Round 20 | 105,196 | 8 | 13,150 |
Round 21 | 54,975 | 8 | 6,872 |
Round 22 | 87,747 | 8 | 10,968 |
Round 23 | 50,441 | 8 | 6,305 |
Round 24 | 95,356 | 8 | 11,920 |
Round 25 | 56,457 | 8 | 7,057 |
Round 26 | 108,922 | 8 | 13,615 |
Round 27 | 49,987 | 8 | 6,248 |
Round 28 | 110,428 | 8 | 13,804 |
Round 29 | 58,492 | 8 | 7,312 |
Round 30 | 106,265 | 8 | 13,283 |
Total | 2,241,254 | 240 | 9,339 |
By team
editPos | Team | Total | High | Low | Average | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Ittihad | 606,796 | 59,892 | 19,694 | 40,453 | +21.5% |
2 | Al-Nassr | 264,567 | 23,248 | 11,721 | 17,638 | +110.5% |
3 | Al-Adalah | 193,681 | 18,025 | 7,392 | 12,912 | n/a † |
4 | Al-Fateh | 161,785 | 17,631 | 2,929 | 10,786 | +35.2% |
5 | Al-Hilal | 143,110 | 24,674 | 3,714 | 9,541 | −26.0% |
6 | Al-Taawoun | 109,642 | 19,478 | 2,767 | 7,310 | +40.2% |
7 | Al-Tai | 109,317 | 9,632 | 5,584 | 7,288 | +37.1% |
8 | Al-Wehda | 100,673 | 28,678 | 284 | 6,712 | n/a † |
9 | Al-Raed | 89,607 | 19,942 | 1,423 | 5,974 | −0.6% |
10 | Al-Khaleej | 84,574 | 15,355 | 1,000 | 5,638 | n/a † |
11 | Al-Ettifaq | 83,421 | 17,183 | 1,225 | 5,561 | −17.1% |
12 | Al-Shabab | 68,867 | 9,379 | 767 | 4,591 | −18.7% |
13 | Damac | 62,082 | 13,434 | 311 | 4,139 | −2.5% |
14 | Al-Fayha | 57,905 | 6,291 | 2,068 | 3,860 | −20.1% |
15 | Abha | 53,953 | 13,422 | 386 | 3,597 | +25.2% |
16 | Al-Batin | 51,274 | 4,096 | 3,182 | 3,418 | +13.4% |
League total | 2,241,254 | 59,892 | 284 | 9,339 | +11.8% |
Updated to games played on 31 May 2023
Source: [citation needed]
Notes:
† Teams played previous season in FD League.
Awards
editMonthly awards
editMonth | Manager of the Month | Player of the Month | Goalkeeper of the Month | Rising Star of the Month | Reference | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manager | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club | ||
August & September | Vicente Moreno | Al-Shabab | Cristian Guanca | Al-Shabab | Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | Nawaf Al-Qumairi | Al-Tai | [57] |
October | Luiz Gustavo | Al-Nassr | David Ospina | Al-Nassr | Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | [58] | ||
December | Vuk Rašović | Al-Fayha | Kaku | Al-Taawoun | Moustapha Zeghba | Damac | Nawaf Al-Sadi | Abha | [59] |
January | Pedro Emanuel | Al-Khaleej | Salem Al-Dawsari | Al-Hilal | Douglas Friedrich | Al-Khaleej | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [60] |
February | Vicente Moreno | Al-Shabab | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | Nawaf Al-Sadi | Abha | [61] |
March | Nuno Espírito Santo | Al-Ittihad | Igor Coronado | Al-Ittihad | Saad Al Mousa | Al-Ettifaq | [62] | ||
April | Mourad Batna | Al-Fateh | Nawaf Al-Aqidi | Al-Nassr | Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | [63] | ||
May | Péricles Chamusca | Al-Taawoun | Morato | Al-Khaleej | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | [64] |