Season | 2022–23 |
---|---|
Dates | 22 August 2022 – 29 May 2023 |
Champions | Al-Ahli (1st title) |
Promoted | Al-Ahli Al-Okhdood Al-Hazem Al-Riyadh |
Relegated | Najran Al-Sahel Al-Shoulla |
Matches played | 306 |
Goals scored | 709 (2.32 per match) |
Top goalscorer | Ablaye Mbengue (29 goals) |
Biggest home win | Al-Shoulla 3–0 Al-Orobah (22 August 2022) Al-Hazem 4–1 Najran (5 September 2022) Al-Ahli 3–0 Ohod (16 September 2022) Al-Hazem 3–0 Al-Arabi (11 January 2023) Al-Ahli 3–0 Al-Jabalain (24 January 2023) Al-Qadsiah 3–0 Ohod (16 May 2023) Al-Faisaly 4–1 Al-Ain (23 May 2023) Al-Okhdood 4–1 Najran (29 May 2023) |
Biggest away win | Al-Shoulla 0–5 Al-Jabalain (28 December 2022) |
Highest scoring | Al-Riyadh 3–3 Al-Arabi (6 March 2023) Al-Okhdood 4–2 Al-Orobah (9 April 2023) Jeddah 2–4 Al-Okhdood (24 April 2023) |
Longest winning run | Al-Riyadh (8 matches) |
Longest unbeaten run | Al-Ahli (16 matches) |
Longest winless run | Al-Shoulla (26 matches) |
Longest losing run | Al-Shoulla (8 matches) |
← 2021–22 2023–24 →
All statistics correct as of 29 May 2023. |
The 2022–23 First Division League (known as the Yelo League for sponsorship reasons) was the second season of the Saudi First Division League after its rebrand, and the 46th season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 22 August 2022 and concluded on 29 May 2023.[1]
On 5 May, Al-Ahli became the first team to be promoted following Al-Faisaly's 2–2 draw with Najran.[2] They were crowned champions following a 1–0 win against Al-Qadsiah on 23 May.[3] The second club to be promoted was Al-Okhdood who were promoted after Al-Faisaly's 2–2 draw with Jeddah on 15 May.[4] The third club to be promoted was Al-Riyadh who were promoted following a 1–0 home win against Al-Orobah.[5] The fourth and final club to be promoted was Al-Hazem who were promoted following a 3–2 win against Al-Sahel.[6]
On 1 May, Al-Shoulla became the first team to be relegated following Jeddah's 1–0 win against Al-Orobah.[7] On 23 May, Al-Sahel became the second team to be relegated despite a 3–2 win against Al-Okhdood.[8] Najran became the third and final club to be relegated after a 4–1 defeat to derby rivals Al-Okhdood on the final matchday.[9]
On 9 October 2020, the Saudi FF announced that the number of teams in the league would be decreased to 18 starting from the 2022–23 season. Due to this decision, 5 teams were relegated last season instead of the usual 4 teams. In addition, only 3 teams were promoted from the Second Division instead of 4 teams.[10]
On 14 April 2022, the Saudi FF announced that the number of teams in the Pro League 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.[11]
The following teams have changed division since the 2022–23 season.
To the First Division League[edit]Promoted from Second Division Relegated from Pro League |
From the First Division League[edit]Promoted to Pro League Relegated to Second Division
|
A total of 18 teams are contesting the league, including 12 sides from the 2021–22 season, the three promoted teams from the Second Division and the three relegated sides from the Pro League.
The first club to be relegated to the First Division League was Al-Hazem following a 5–2 defeat away to Al-Ettifaq on 21 May.[12] 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 following a 0–0 away draw with Al-Shabab.[13] Al-Ahli were relegated for the first time in their history while Al-Faisaly were relegated after 12 consecutive seasons in the top flight.
The first club to be promoted was Al-Arabi who were promoted following a 1–0 home win against Al-Rawdhah on 30 March 2022.[14] On 31 March 2022, Al-Qaisumah became the second side to be promoted following a 2–1 win over Al-Nairyah.[15] The third and final club to be promoted was Al-Riyadh, who were promoted following a 3–2 aggregate win over Al-Taraji in the promotion play-offs.[16]
Al-Arabi were crowned champions after defeating Al-Qaisumah 1–0 to win their second title and first since 1986.[17]
Al-Arabi return to the First Division League after an absence of 27 years. They return to the league for the first time since the 1994–95 season and will play in their 9th overall season. Al-Qaisumah return after an absence of three seasons and will play in their 4th overall season in the First Division League. Al-Riyadh return after an absence of six seasons and will play in their 18th overall season in the First Division League.
On 15 April 2022, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was increased from 5 players to 6 players.[30]
Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Ahli (C, P) | 34 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 48 | 24 | +24 | 72 | Promotion to the Pro League |
2 | Al-Hazem (P) | 34 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 55 | 29 | +26 | 68[a] | |
3 | Al-Okhdood (P) | 34 | 21 | 5 | 8 | 64 | 35 | +29 | 68[a] | |
4 | Al-Riyadh (P) | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 52 | 37 | +15 | 63 | |
5 | Al-Faisaly | 34 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 45 | 32 | +13 | 58 | |
6 | Al-Arabi | 34 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 43 | 43 | 0 | 49 | |
7 | Al-Kholood | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 33 | 31 | +2 | 43[b] | |
8 | Hajer | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 36 | 41 | −5 | 43[b] | |
9 | Ohod | 34 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 29 | 38 | −9 | 42 | |
10 | Al-Jabalain | 34 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 42 | 43 | −1 | 41 | |
11 | Al-Qadsiah | 34 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 29 | 34 | −5 | 40[c] | |
12 | Al-Orobah | 34 | 11 | 7 | 16 | 35 | 41 | −6 | 40[c][d] | |
13 | Al-Qaisumah | 34 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 35 | 44 | −9 | 40[c] | |
14 | Al-Ain | 34 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 34 | 46 | −12 | 39 | |
15 | Jeddah | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 34 | 40 | −6 | 38 | |
16 | Najran (R) | 34 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 36 | 54 | −18 | 36 | Relegation to the Second Division |
17 | Al-Sahel (R) | 34 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 36 | 51 | −15 | 32 | |
18 | Al-Shoulla (R) | 34 | 5 | 8 | 21 | 23 | 46 | −23 | 23[d] |
The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological evolvements, 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 | |
Promotion to the Pro League | |
Relegation to the Second Division |
Rank | Player | Club | Goals[34] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Ablaye Mbengue | Al-Arabi | 29 |
2 | Ousmane Barry | Al-Okhdood | 22 |
3 | Tiago Bezerra | Al-Orobah | 21 |
4 | Ola John | Al-Hazem | 18 |
Nikola Stojiljković | Al-Riyadh | ||
6 | Lahouari Touil | Al-Ain | 13 |
7 | Adriano Pardal | Hajer | 12 |
8 | Ibrahim Diomandé | Al-Sahel | 11 |
Alain Akono | Al-Kholood/Najran | ||
10 | Muralha | Al-Riyadh | 10 |
Haitham Asiri | Al-Ahli | ||
Borhen Hkimi | Al-Okhdood |
Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ousmane Barry | Al-Okhdood | Al-Qadsiah | 3–1 (A) | 23 August 2022 | [35] |
Ablaye Mbengue | Al-Arabi | Al-Orobah | 3–1 (A) | 18 October 2022 | [36] |
Muralha | Al-Riyadh | Al-Jabalain | 4–1 (A) | 7 November 2022 | [37] |
Nikola Stojiljković | Al-Riyadh | Al-Sahel | 3–1 (A) | 20 December 2022 | [38] |
Rédha Bensayah | Al-Jabalain | Al-Shoulla | 5–0 (A) | 28 December 2022 | [39] |
Tiago Bezerra | Al-Orobah | Al-Qaisumah | 4–1 (A) | 3 April 2023 | [40] |
(H) – Home; (A) – Away
Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Mohammed Al-Rubaie | Al-Ahli | 14 |
2 | Ahmed Al-Kassar | Al-Faisaly | 13 |
Ibrahim Zaid | Al-Hazem | ||
4 | Emanuel Novo | Al-Riyadh | 10 |
Raïs M'Bolhi | Al-Qadsiah | ||
Salem Qabbos | Ohod | ||
7 | Jassem Al-Ashban | Al-Kholood | 9 |
Bruno Grassi | Jeddah | ||
9 | Vladimir Stojković | Al-Okhdood | 8 |
Abdulraouf Al-Daqeel | Hajer |
Month | Manager of the Month | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|
Manager | Club | ||
August & September | Jorge Mendonça | Al-Okhdood | [41] |
October | Ante Miše | Al-Faisaly | [42] |
November | Habib Ben Romdhane | Al-Qadsiah | [43] |
December | Damir Burić | Al-Riyadh | [44] |
January | Damir Burić | Al-Riyadh | [45] |
February | Pitso Mosimane | Al-Ahli | [46] |
April | Gjoko Hadžievski | Najran | [47] |
May | Pitso Mosimane | Al-Ahli | [48] |
Round | Player of the Round | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|
Player | Club | ||
Round 1 | Ousmane Barry | Al-Okhdood | [49] |
Round 2 | Abdullah Al-Dawsari | Al-Sahel | [50] |
Round 3 | Tiago Bezerra | Al-Orobah | [51] |
Round 4 | Nailson | Al-Jabalain | [52] |
Round 5 | Carlão | Al-Jabalain | [53] |
Round 6 | Adriano Pardal | Hajer | [54] |
Round 7 | Tiago Bezerra | Al-Orobah | [55] |
Round 8 | Ablaye Mbengue | Al-Arabi | [56] |
Round 9 | Adriano Pardal | Hajer | [57] |
Round 10 | Ousmane Barry | Al-Okhdood | [58] |
Round 11 | Muralha | Al-Riyadh | [59] |
Round 12 | Salem Qabbos | Ohod | [60] |
Round 13 | Nikola Stojiljković | Al-Riyadh | [61] |
Round 14 | Rédha Bensayah | Al-Jabalain | [62] |
Round 15 | Ola John | Al-Hazem | [63] |
Round 16 | Diego Miranda | Al-Riyadh | [64] |
Round 17 | Saleh Al-Harthi | Al-Okhdood | [65] |
Round 18 | Youssef Obama | Al-Hazem | [66] |
Round 19 | Ousmane Barry | Al-Okhdood | [67] |
Round 20 | Joel Tagueu | Al-Hazem | [68] |
Round 21 | Lahouari Touil | Al-Ain | [69] |
Round 22 | Tiago Bezerra | Al-Orobah | [70] |
Round 23 | Walter Bwalya | Al-Qadsiah | [71] |
Round 24 | Uilliam | Al-Kholood | [72] |
Round 25 | Mohammed Al-Harthi | Al-Qaisumah | [73] |
Round 26 | Lahouari Touil | Al-Ain | [74] |
Round 27 | Tiago Bezerra | Al-Orobah | [75] |
Round 28 | Masoud Juma | Al-Faisaly | [76] |
Round 29 | Reinaldo Dutra | Al-Okhdood | [77] |
Round 30 | Karim Aribi | Al-Qadsiah | [78] |
Round 31 | Miodrag Gemović | Al-Riyadh | [79] |
Round 32 | Ola John | Al-Hazem | [80] |
Round 33 | Alain Akono | Najran | [81] |
Round 34 | Tiago Bezerra | Al-Orobah | [82] |
Award | Winner | Club |
---|---|---|
Manager of the Season[83] | Filipe Gouveia | Al-Hazem |
Player of the Season[83] | Ousmane Barry | Al-Okhdood |
Young Player of the Season[83] | Eid Al-Muwallad | |
Top Scorer[83] | Ablaye Mbengue | Al-Arabi |
Best Goalkeeper[83] | Salem Qabbos | Ohod |