Season | 2021β22 |
---|---|
Dates | 11 August 2021 β 27 June 2022 |
Champions | Al-Hilal (18th title) |
Relegated |
Al-Faisaly Al-Ahli Al-Hazem |
AFC Champions League |
Al-Hilal Al-Fayha |
Arab Club Champions Cup |
Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad Al-Nassr Al-Shabab |
Matches played | 240 |
Goals scored | 637 (2.65 per match) |
Top goalscorer |
Odion Ighalo (24 goals) |
Biggest home win |
Al-Ittihad 6β1
Abha (11 September 2021) Al-Hilal 5β0 Al-Shabab (17 February 2022) |
Biggest away win |
Al-Tai 0β4
Al-Hilal (11 January 2022) Abha 0β4 Al-Ittihad (6 February 2022) |
Highest scoring |
Al-Fateh 5β5
Damac (25 November 2021) |
Longest winning run |
Al-Ittihad (10 matches) |
Longest unbeaten run |
Al-Shabab (17 matches) |
Longest winless run |
Al-Hazem (11 matches) |
Longest losing run |
Al-Hazem (7 matches) |
Highest attendance | 58,755
[1] Al-Ittihad 1β3 Al-Hilal (23 May 2022) |
Lowest attendance | 0
[2] Al-Ittihad 3β0 Al-Nassr (11 February 2022) 0 [3] Al-Nassr 1β0 Al-Fayha (17 March 2022) 0 [4] Al-Shabab 1β0 Al-Faisaly (12 May 2022) |
Total attendance | 1,868,679 |
Average attendance | 7,885 |
β
2020β21
2022β23 β
All statistics correct as of 27 June 2022. |
The 2021β22 Saudi Professional League was the 46th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. Fixtures for the 2021β22 season were announced on 18 July 2021. [5]
Al-Hilal were the two-time defending champions after winning their 17th title last season. [6] Al-Fayha, Al-Hazem, and Al-Tai join as the three promoted clubs from the 2020β21 MS League. [7] They replace Al-Ain, Al-Qadsiah, and Al-Wehda who were relegated to the 2021β22 MS League.
On 27 June, Al-Hilal secured their eighteenth league title in the final matchday following a 2β1 home win against Al-Faisaly. [8] It was also the club's third consecutive title and fifth in the last six seasons. Al-Hazem were the first team to be relegated following a 5β2 defeat away to Al-Ettifaq on 21 May. [9] In the final matchday, both Al-Faisaly and Al-Ahli were relegated following a defeat to Al-Hilal and a draw with Al-Shabab respectively.
On 8 August 2021, the Saudi Professional League announced that they had signed a sponsorship deal with real estate company Roshn. [10] On 9 August 2021, the Saudi FF signed a sponsorship deal with Chinese tech company Lenovo to become the official technology partner of all Saudi football competitions. [11]
On 8 August 2021, Ministry of Sports announced that they had increased the capacity limit from 40% to 60% in all stadiums. It was also announced that children under 12 wouldn't be allowed to attend matches and that the attendance would be limited to those who are fully vaccinated. [12]
Sixteen teams will compete in the league β the top thirteen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the MS League.
Teams who were promoted to the Pro League
The first club to be promoted was Al-Hazem, who were promoted following a 4β2 away win against Al-Sahel on 20 April 2021. Al-Hazem will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence. [13] Al-Hazem were crowned champions following a 1β0 away win against Hajer on 21 May 2021. [14]
The second club to be promoted was Al-Fayha, following a 0β0 home draw with Al-Tai on 20 May 2021. [15] Al-Fayha will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence.
The third and final club to be promoted was Al-Tai who were promoted on the final matchday following a 2β0 away win over Arar. [16] Al-Tai will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time since the 2007β08 season.
Teams who were relegated to the MS League
The first club to be relegated was Al-Ain, who were relegated after only a year in the top flight following a 2β0 defeat away to Al-Nassr on 14 May 2021. [17]
In the final matchday, both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Wehda were relegated following a draw with Abha and a loss against Al-Shabab respectively. [18] Al-Qadsiah were relegated after only a year in the top flight while Al-Wehda were relegated after three years in the top flight.
Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Abha | Martin Ε evela | Karam Barnawi | Offside | Al-Dakheel Oud, Yelo, Mezaj Maghribi1, Hayat National Hospital1, The Burger's Origin2, Furn Al-Dhayaa2, X Antra3 |
Al-Ahli | Robert Siboldi | Yasser Al-Mosailem | Xtep | MG Cars, Boga Super Foods1, Dorrah for Real Estate1, Saudi German Hospital2 |
Al-Batin | Alen Horvat | Mazyad Freeh | Skillano | Al-Odhaib Company, Traof, AlNadeg1, ARASCO2 |
Al-Ettifaq | Patrice Carteron | RaΓ―s M'Bolhi | adidas | Al-Dakheel Oud, Kammelna1, Saudi German Hospital1, 42 Group2, Shgardi2, Jana Center3 |
Al-Faisaly | Marinos Ouzounidis | Igor Rossi | adidas | ALDREES, Gree Electric, Roco1, Mr Mandoob2, UPS2 |
Al-Fateh | Giorgos Donis | Mohammed Al-Fuhaid | Offside | Kia Motors, Al-Jabr Finance, Fuschia, Al Kifah Holding1, Almoosa Hospital1, B-Care2 |
Al-Fayha | Vuk RaΕ‘oviΔ | Sami Al-Khaibari | Puma | Al-Romaih Investment, Brave, Abdal1, Aromatic Families1, Hayat Water2, Sky Ways2, Tasooma3 |
Al-Hazem | Roel Coumans | Khaled Al-Barakah | S Team | Arabica Star, Point1, Superano1, Asal Al-Barri2, Qaid2, Two Mark3 |
Al-Hilal | RamΓ³n DΓaz | Salman Al-Faraj | S Team | EMAAR, Jahez, Tawuniya1, Floward2, Shawarmer2 |
Al-Ittihad | Cosmin Contra | Marcelo Grohe | ErreΓ | DARCO, Emkan1, Bolt2, Yelo2 |
Al-Nassr | Miguel Γngel Russo | Abdullah Madu | Victory | Lebara, Shurfah, ToYou1, Harrys Pizza2 |
Al-Raed | Yousef Al-Ghadeer | Sultan Al-Farhan | Challenge | Shawahe, Yelo, Aldakheel Oud1, Arabica Star1, B-Care2, Qaid2 |
Al-Shabab | Marius ΘumudicΔ | Γver Banega | Offside | Almozaini, Bolt, Half Million, Prestige1, Takenda1, Azom2, TikTok2, Veloce3 |
Al-Taawoun | Mohammed Al-Abdali | CΓ‘ssio | Skillano | Fuchs, Nice One, Alsaif Gallery1, Hayat National Hospital1, Arabica Star2, B-Care2 |
Al-Tai | JosΓ© Luis Sierra | Abdulaziz Al-Harabi | Mashar | Al-Adham, Mashar, Abar1, Al Ahli Medical1, Qaid2, Ldonk2 |
Damac | KreΕ‘imir ReΕΎiΔ | Farouk ChafaΓ― | Skillano | ARROW, Bin Thaliba1, Mustasharak Hospital1, Qaid2, X Antra3 |
The policy of foreign players remained unchanged. Clubs can register a total of seven foreign players over the course of the season. [74]
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 | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Hilal (C) | 30 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 63 | 28 | +35 | 67 | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage [75] [a] |
2 | Al-Ittihad | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 62 | 29 | +33 | 65 | |
3 | Al-Nassr | 30 | 19 | 4 | 7 | 58 | 36 | +22 | 61 | |
4 | Al-Shabab | 30 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 52 | 36 | +16 | 55 | |
5 | Damac | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 38 | 44 | −6 | 44 | |
6 | Al-Tai | 30 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 33 | 45 | −12 | 37 | |
7 | Al-Raed | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 35 | 45 | −10 | 36 | |
8 | Al-Fateh | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 45 | 41 | +4 | 35 [b] | |
9 | Abha | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 27 | 43 | −16 | 35 [b] | |
10 | Al-Fayha | 30 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 21 | 24 | −3 | 35 [b] | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage [75] [a] |
11 | Al-Ettifaq | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 40 | 47 | −7 | 34 [c] | |
12 | Al-Taawoun | 30 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 43 | 48 | −5 | 34 [c] | |
13 | Al-Batin | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 31 | 41 | −10 | 33 [d] | |
14 | Al-Faisaly (R) | 30 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 28 | 37 | −9 | 33 [d] | Relegation to MS League |
15 | Al-Ahli (R) | 30 | 6 | 14 | 10 | 38 | 43 | −5 | 32 | |
16 | Al-Hazem (R) | 30 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 23 | 50 | −27 | 17 |
The 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 to the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward. If a club from the Saudi Professional League wins the King Cup, they will qualify for the AFC Champions League, unless they have already qualified for it through their league position. In this case, an additional AFC Champions League group stage berth will be given to the 3rd placed team, and the AFC Champions League play-off round spot will be given to 4th.
Leader and AFC Champions League group stage | |
Relegation to MS League |
Rank | Player | Club | Goals [77] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Odion Ighalo | Al-Shabab/Al-Hilal | 24 |
2 | Romarinho | Al-Ittihad | 20 |
Talisca | Al-Nassr | ||
4 | LΓ©andre Tawamba | Al-Taawoun | 18 |
5 | Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Nassr/Al-Ittihad | 15 |
6 | Emilio Zelaya | Damac | 13 |
Karim El Berkaoui | Al-Raed | ||
Carlos | Al-Shabab | ||
Moussa Marega | Al-Hilal | ||
10 | Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | 11 |
Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Ittihad | Al-Ahli | 4β3 (A) | 26 February 2022 | [78] |
Odion Ighalo | Al-Hilal | Al-Ahli | 4β2 (H) | 18 March 2022 | [79] |
Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | Damac | 3β0 (A) | 29 May 2022 | [80] |
(H) β Home; (A) β Away
Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets [81] |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Vladimir StojkoviΔ | Al-Fayha | 13 |
2 | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | 12 |
3 | Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | 11 |
4 | Maksym Koval | Al-Fateh | 9 |
Fawaz Al-Qarni | Al-Shabab | ||
6 | Moustapha Zeghba | Damac | 8 |
MartΓn CampaΓ±a | Al-Batin | ||
8 | RaΓ―s M'Bolhi | Al-Ettifaq | 7 |
Abdelali Mhamdi | Abha | ||
Mustafa Malayekah | Al-Faisaly |
Round | Total | GP. | Avg. Per Game |
---|---|---|---|
Round 1 | 38,554 | 8 | 4,820 |
Round 2 | 43,357 | 8 | 5,420 |
Round 3 | 46,759 | 8 | 5,845 |
Round 4 | 66,838 | 8 | 8,355 |
Round 5 | 50,724 | 8 | 6,341 |
Round 6 | 73,053 | 8 | 9,132 |
Round 7 | 39,761 | 8 | 4,971 |
Round 8 | 63,970 | 8 | 7,997 |
Round 9 | 69,559 | 8 | 8,695 |
Round 10 | 59,643 | 8 | 7,456 |
Round 11 | 99,764 | 8 | 12,471 |
Round 12 | 43,070 | 8 | 5,384 |
Round 13 | 102,742 | 8 | 12,843 |
Round 14 | 60,736 | 8 | 7,592 |
Round 15 [a] | 30,641 | 8 | 3,831 |
Round 16 [a] | 61,124 | 8 | 7,641 |
Round 17 [a] | 44,604 | 8 | 5,576 |
Round 18 [a] | 58,788 | 8 | 7,349 |
Round 19 [a] | 44,528 | 8 | 5,566 |
Round 20 [a] | 40,133 | 7 [b] | 5,734 |
Round 21 [a] | 39,750 | 8 | 4,969 |
Round 22 [a] | 48,731 | 8 | 6,092 |
Round 23 [a] | 65,566 | 8 | 8,196 |
Round 24 | 86,528 | 8 | 10,816 |
Round 25 | 90,813 | 7 [c] | 12,974 |
Round 26 | 50,955 | 8 | 6,370 |
Round 27 | 119,916 | 7 [d] | 17,131 |
Round 28 | 51,816 | 8 | 6,477 |
Round 29 | 85,769 | 8 | 10,722 |
Round 30 | 90,487 | 8 | 11,311 |
Total | 1,868,679 | 237 | 7,885 |
A match played behind closed doors is not included.
Pos | Team | Total | High | Low | Average | Change |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Ittihad | 466,283 | 58,755 | 0 | 33,306 | n/a1 |
2 | Al-Ahli | 227,018 | 36,079 | 7,031 | 15,135 | n/a |
3 | Al-Hilal | 193,304 | 33,963 | 5,211 | 12,887 | n/a |
4 | Al-Nassr | 117,310 | 16,458 | 0 | 8,380 | n/a2 |
5 | Al-Fateh | 119,621 | 17,459 | 1,392 | 7,975 | n/a |
6 | Al-Ettifaq | 100,619 | 15,670 | 907 | 6,708 | n/a |
7 | Al-Raed | 90,195 | 20,082 | 668 | 6,013 | n/a |
8 | Al-Shabab | 79,029 | 11,234 | 3,099 | 5,645 | n/a3 |
9 | Al-Tai | 79,746 | 7,762 | 3,036 | 5,317 | n/a |
10 | Al-Taawoun | 78,183 | 9,780 | 2,188 | 5,213 | n/a |
11 | Al-Fayha | 72,497 | 6,342 | 1,527 | 4,834 | n/a |
12 | Al-Faisaly | 66,277 | 6,410 | 1,764 | 4,419 | n/a |
13 | Damac | 63,636 | 14,790 | 453 | 4,243 | n/a |
14 | Al-Batin | 45,220 | 4,238 | 1,102 | 3,015 | n/a |
15 | Abha | 43,101 | 12,243 | 141 | 2,874 | n/a |
16 | Al-Hazem | 26,640 | 3,940 | 531 | 1,776 | n/a |
League total | 1,868,679 | 58,755 | 0 | 7,885 | n/a |
Updated to games played on 27 June 2022
Source:
[88]
Notes:
1:
Al-Ittihad played their home match against
Al-Nassr behind closed doors.
[85]
2:
Al-Nassr played their home match against
Al-Fayha behind closed doors.
[86]
3:
Al-Shabab played their home match against
Al-Faisaly behind closed doors.
[87]
Month | 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 | Vuk RaΕ‘oviΔ | Al-Fayha | Ahmed Hegazi | Al-Ittihad | Vladimir StojkoviΔ | Al-Fayha | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [89] |
September | KreΕ‘imir ReΕΎiΔ | Damac | Igor Coronado | Al-Ittihad | Moustapha Zeghba | Damac | Nawaf Boushal | Al-Fateh | [90] |
October | PΓ©ricles Chamusca | Al-Shabab | Abdulrahman Ghareeb | Al-Ahli | Fawaz Al-Qarni | Al-Shabab | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [91] |
November | PΓ©ricles Chamusca | Al-Shabab | NaΓ―m Sliti | Al-Ettifaq | Ahmed Al-Kassar | Al-Faisaly | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [92] |
January | Miguel Γngel Russo | Al-Nassr | Romarinho | Al-Ittihad | Vladimir StojkoviΔ | Al-Fayha | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [93] |
February | Cosmin Contra | Al-Ittihad | Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Ittihad | Mustafa Malayekah | Al-Faisaly | Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | [94] |
March | RamΓ³n DΓaz | Al-Hilal | Odion Ighalo | Al-Hilal | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti | Al-Ittihad | [95] |
May & June | RamΓ³n DΓaz | Al-Hilal | NaΓ―m Sliti | Al-Ettifaq | Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | Nawaf Al-Aqidi | Al-Tai | [96] |