2021–22 Saudi First Division League

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First Division League
Season2021–22
Dates6 September 2021 – 29 May 2022
Matches played20
Goals scored41 (2.05 per match)
Biggest home winHajer 4–0 Al-Kholood
(7 September 2021)
→
All statistics correct as of 15 September 2021.

The 2021–22 First Division League (known as the League for sponsorship reasons) will be the 1st season of the Saudi First Division League after its rebrand, and the 45th season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season is scheduled to start on 6 September 2021 and conclude on 29 May 2022.[1][2]

Overview[]

Changes[]

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. To prepare for these changes it was announced that 5 teams would be relegated in the 2021–22 season and only 3 teams would be promoted from the 2021–22 Second Division.[3]

Rebrand[]

On 26 August 2021, the newly appointed executive director of the FDL, Talal Al-Obaidi, announced a rebrand; beginning with the 2021–22 season, the competition would be known as the First Division League (FDL). As part of the rebranding, a new logo was introduced.[4][5]

Name sponsorship[]

On 1 September 2021, the FDL announced a sponsorship with car rental company . As part of the sponsorship deal, the First Division League would be known as the Yelo League for the next 3 seasons.[6][7]

Team changes[]

The following teams have changed division since the 2021–22 season.

Teams[]

A total of 20 teams are contesting the league, including 13 sides from the 2020–21 season, 4 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-Ain, who were relegated after only a year in the top flight 2–0 defeat away to Al-Nassr on 14 May 2021.[8] In the final matchday, both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Wehda were relegated following a draw with Abha and a loss against Al-Shabab respectively.[9] Al-Qadsiah were relegated after only a year in the top flight while Al-Wehda were relegated after three years in the top flight.

The first club to be promoted was Al-Orobah who were promoted despite a 1–0 away defeat to Afif on 27 March 2021.[10] On 3 April 2021, both Al-Okhdood and Bisha were promoted. Al-Okhdood were promoted following a 1–1 draw with Al-Taqadom while Bisha were promoted following a 2–0 win over Al-Jandal.[11] The final club to be promoted was Al-Kholood, who were promoted following a 3–1 away win over Al-Dahab in the final matchday.[12]

Al-Okhdood defeated Al-Orobah 4–2 on penalties (3–3 after extra time) to win their second title and first since 1992.[13]

Al-Kholood and Bisha will play in the First Division League for the first time in their history. Al-Orobah return after an absence of two seasons and will play in their 13th overall season in the First Division League. Al-Okhdood return to the First Division League for the first time since the 1992–93 season. They will play in their 2nd season in the First Division League.

Stadia and locations[]

Locations of teams in the 2021–22 First Division League
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Al-Adalah Al-Hasa () Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium
 26,000[14]
12,000
Al-Ain Al Bahah King Saud Sport City Stadium 10,000[15]
Al-Diriyah Diriyah Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium (Riyadh) 15,000[16]
Al-Jabalain Ha'il Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium 12,000[17]
Al-Jeel Al-Hasa (Hofuf) Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium
Hajer Club Stadium 		26,000
12,000
Al-Kawkab Al-Kharj Al-Shoulla Club Stadium 5,200[18]
Al-Khaleej Saihat 10,000[19]
Al-Kholood Ar Rass Al-Hazem Club Stadium
Al-Bukiryah Club Stadium (Al Bukayriyah) 		8,000[20]
5,000
Al-Nahda Dammam
Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium 		15,000[21]
35,000
Al-Okhdood Najran
12,000[22]
10,000[23]
Al-Orobah Sakakah Al-Orobah Club Stadium 6,000[24]
Al-Qadsiah Khobar Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium 15,000[25]
Al-Sahel Anak Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium (Khobar) 15,000
Al-Shoulla Al-Kharj Al-Shoulla Club Stadium 5,200
Al-Wehda Mecca King Abdul Aziz Stadium 38,000
Bisha Bisha
King Saud Sport City Stadium (Al Bahah) 		2,000
10,000
Hajer Al-Hasa (Hofuf)
Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium 		12,000[26]
26,000
Jeddah Jeddah Reserve Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City 1,000[27]
Najran Najran Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sport City Stadium
Najran University Stadium 		12,000
10,000
Ohod Medina Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Stadium 24,000[28]

Foreign players[]

On 26 June 2021, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was increased from 4 players to 5 players.[29]

Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.

Club Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 Player 5 Former Players
Al-Adalah Brazil Alan Brazil Nailson Mali Ibrahima Tandia Nigeria Tunde Adeniji Tunisia
Al-Ain Algeria Oussama Litim Chad Othman Alhaj Chad Nigeria Reuben Gabriel
Al-Diriyah Algeria Hacène Ogbi Brazil Brazil Cameroon Marius Obekop Nigeria
Al-Jabalain Brazil Jefferson Brazil Rogerinho Brazil Brazil Tiago Orobó Portugal Ricardo Ribeiro
Al-Jeel Brazil Syria Ahmad Al Douni Syria Tunisia Aymen Trabelsi
Al-Kawkab France Franck Julienne Morocco Badreddine Benachour Senegal Falou Samb Tunisia Hamza Ben Abda Tunisia
Al-Khaleej Brazil Ivory Coast Mamadou Soro Ghana Samuel Sarfo Serbia Miodrag Gemović Tunisia
Al-Kholood Algeria Sid Ahmed Aouadj Algeria Islam Chahrour Mauritania Nigeria Prince Obus Aggreh Tunisia
Al-Nahda Ghana Michael Sarpong Nigeria Tunisia Fehmi Kacem Tunisia Bilel Souissi
Al-Okhdood Brazil Hugo Cabral Brazil Kaká Mendes Brazil Brazil Brazil Taylon Correa
Al-Orobah Brazil Brazil Cape Verde Héldon Ramos Mali Senegal  [ar]
Al-Qadsiah Brazil Carlão Brazil Leandro Carvalho Brazil Muralha Ivory Coast  [ar] Serbia Uroš Vitas
Al-Sahel Brazil Jhonnattann Benites Brazil Brazil Ghana Lawson Bekui Nigeria
Al-Shoulla Brazil Pitty Ivory Coast Croatia Mario Budimir Guinea-Bissau Piqueti
Al-Wehda Ivory Coast Soualio Ouattara Guinea Ousmane Barry Eritrea Ahmed Abdu Jaber France Karim Yoda Spain Alberto Botía
Bisha Algeria Kaddour Beldjilali Kenya Tunisia Tunisia Zambia Saith Sakala
Hajer Brazil Adriano Pardal Brazil Fernando Gabriel Brazil Lázaro Ivory Coast Mali Modibo Maïga
Jeddah Brazil Brazil Halef Pitbull Portugal Emanuel Novo Rwanda Tunisia Alaeddine Bouslimi
Najran Brazil Brazil Rafael Costa Ghana Izaka Aboudou Tunisia Tunisia Oussema Boughanmi Tunisia
Ohod Algeria Sofiane Khelili Madagascar Carolus Andria Morocco Zakaria Lahlali Tunisia Tunisia Mourad Hedhli

League table[]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Al-Adalah 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 6 Promotion to the Pro League
2 Al-Wehda 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 6
3 Al-Diriyah 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 6
4 Ohod 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 4
5 Al-Khaleej 2 1 1 0 3 2 +1 4
6 Al-Jeel 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 4
7 Najran 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 4
8 Al-Nahda 2 1 1 0 2 1 +1 4
9 Hajer 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 3
10 Bisha 2 1 0 1 3 1 +2 3[a]
11 Al-Okhdood 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
12 Al-Orobah 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
13 Al-Shoulla 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
14 Al-Sahel 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 1
15 Al-Qadsiah 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1 1
16 Al-Ain 2 0 1 1 1 4 −3 1[a] Relegation to the Second Division
17 Jeddah 2 0 0 2 2 4 −2 0
18 Al-Jabalain 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2 0
19 Al-Kawkab 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2 0
20 Al-Kholood 2 0 0 2 1 6 −5 0
Updated to match(es) played on 15 September 2021. Source: goalzz.com
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).[31]
Notes:
  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Bisha were awarded a 3–0 win over Al-Ain due to Al-Ain's inability to hold the fixture.[30]

Positions by round[]

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.

Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
Al-Adalah41
Al-Ain1416
Al-Diriyah33
Al-Jabalain1918
Al-Jeel106
Al-Kawkab1619
Al-Khaleej75
Al-Kholood2020
Al-Nahda138
Al-Okhdood1811
Al-Orobah512
Al-Qadsiah1215
Al-Sahel914
Al-Shoulla813
Al-Wehda22
Bisha1510
Hajer19
Jeddah1717
Najran117
Ohod64
Leader
Promotion to the Pro League
Relegation to the Second Division
Updated to match(es) played on 15 September 2021. Source:[citation needed]

Results[]

Home \ Away ADA AIN DIR JAB JEL KAW KHJ KHO NAH OKH ORO QAD SAH SHO WHD BIS HJR JED NAJ OHD
Al-Adalah 2–1
Al-Ain 1–1
Al-Diriyah 1–0
Al-Jabalain 1–2
Al-Jeel 1–0
Al-Kawkab 0–1
Al-Khaleej 1–1
Al-Kholood 1–2
Al-Nahda 2–1
Al-Okhdood 1–0
Al-Orobah 1–0
Al-Qadsiah 0–0
Al-Sahel 0–1
Al-Shoulla 1–1
Al-Wehda 2–1
Bisha 3–0[32]
Hajer 4–0
Jeddah 1–2
Najran 1–1
Ohod 2–0
Updated to match(es) played on 15 September 2021. Source: goalzz.com
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Statistics[]

Number of teams by region[]

Rank Province Number Teams
1 Eastern Province 7 Al-Adalah, Al-Jeel, Al-Khaleej, Al-Nahda, Al-Qadsiah, Al-Sahel and Hajer
2 Riyadh 3 Al-Diriyah, Al-Kawkab and Al-Shoulla
3 Mecca 2 Al-Wehda and Jeddah
Najran Al-Okhdood and Najran
5 Al-Bahah 1 Al-Ain
Al-Jawf Al-Orobah
Al-Qassim Al-Kholood
Asir Bisha
Ha'il Al-Jabalain
Medina Ohod

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "رسميًا.. الاتحاد السعودي يعلن موعد انطلاق الموسم الجديد".
  2. ^ "انطلاق الموسم الجديد في سبتمبر المقبل".
  3. ^ "تقليص أندية دوري الأولى إلى 18 نادٍ ..و استحداث دوري الثالثة..و استبدال دوري المناطق بالدرجة الرابعة".
  4. ^ "FDL.. هوية دوري الأولى الجديدة".
  5. ^ "دوري الدرجة الأولى يطلق هويته الجديدة (FDL#)".
  6. ^ "بحضور "القحطاني" و"العفالق".. إطلاق مسمّى "دوري يلو" على دوري الدرجة الأولى السعودي لكرة القدم".
  7. ^ "إطلاق مسمّى (دوري يلو) على الدرجة الأولى السعودي".
  8. ^ "رسميا.. العين اول الهابطين من الدوري السعودي للمحترفين".
  9. ^ "الوحدة والقادسية يودعان.. وضمك والباطن وأبها ينجون".
  10. ^ "العروبة يصعد رسمياً لدوري الأمير محمد بن سلمان للدرجة الأولى".
  11. ^ "صعود الأخدود وبيشة إلى دوري الأمير محمد بن سلمان لأندية الدرجة الأولى".
  12. ^ "الخلود يُكمل عقد الصاعدين لدوري الأمير محمد بن سلمان".
  13. ^ "القاسم يتوج الأخدود ببطولة دوري الدرجة الثانية بعد انتصاره على العروبة".
  14. ^ "Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium".
  15. ^ "استاد مدينة الملك سعود الرياضية". kooora.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium".
  17. ^ "استاد الأمير عبدالعزيز بن مساعد بن جلوي". kooora.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  18. ^ "al shoulla stadium".
  19. ^ "ملعب نادي الخليج - AlKhaleej Club Stadium".
  20. ^ "Alhazm Club Stadium".
  21. ^ "Prince Fahad bin Salman Stadium".
  22. ^ "افتتاح مدينة الأمير هذلول بن عبدالعزيز الرياضية في نجران".
  23. ^ "استاد جامعة نجران".
  24. ^ "ملعب نادي العروبة - AlOrubah Club Stadium".
  25. ^ "استاد مدينة الأمير سعود بن جلوي الرياضية (الراكة)".
  26. ^ "نادي هجر النموذجي".
  27. ^ "www.slstat.com/spl2015-2016en/stadium.php?id=24". slstat.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Stadium".
  29. ^ "الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم يقرر منح أندية @M_S_League حرية تحديد فئة اللاعب الأجنبي الخامس".
  30. ^ "المسابقات تعتبر العين خاسرًا في مباراته مع بيشة".
  31. ^ "اللائحة التنظيمية لدوري الأمير محمد بن سلمان لأندية الأولى" [Regulations of Prince Mohammed bin Salman League for Division One Teams] (PDF) (in Arabic). SAFF. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  32. ^ "المسابقات تعتبر العين خاسرًا في مباراته مع بيشة".
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