2018–19 Prince Mohammad bin Salman League

The 2018–19 Prince Mohammad bin Salman League was the second season of the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League under its current name, and 42nd season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 28 August 2018 and concluded on 15 May 2019.[1] Fixtures for the 2018–19 season were announced on 25 July 2018.

Prince Mohammad bin Salman League
Season2018–19
Dates28 August 2018 – 15 May 2019
ChampionsAbha
PromotedAbha
Damac
Al-Adalah
RelegatedAl-Qaisumah
Hajer
Al-Washm
Al-Orobah
Matches played380
Goals scored875 (2.3 per match)
Top goalscorerCarolus Andria
(22 goals)
Biggest home winAl-Mujazzal 4–0 Al-Ain
(10 October 2018)
Biggest away winAl-Qaisumah 1–5 Al-Nojoom
(17 October 2018)
Al-Shoulla 0–4 Al-Ansar
(19 December 2018)
Al-Washm 0–4 Al-Nahda
(25 December 2018)
Highest scoringAl-Orobah 3–4 Al-Jabalain
(6 May 2019)
Longest winning run6 matches
Al-Shoulla
Longest unbeaten run21 matches
Jeddah
Longest winless run23 matches
Al-Orobah
Longest losing run8 matches
Al-Orobah
All statistics correct as of 15 May 2019.

The first team to be promoted was Abha, following their 2–2 draw away to Al-Nojoom on 30 April 2019.[2] Despite losing to Al-Qaisumah, Abha were crowned champions on 11 May 2019 following Damac's 1–1 draw with Al-Ain.[3] The second team to be promoted was Damac, in spite of their 1–0 defeat away to Al-Tai, on 5 May 2019.[4] The third and final team to be promoted was Al-Adalah, who were promoted on the final matchday following their 2–0 win at home against Damac on 15 May 2019.[5]

Overview edit

First Division rebranding edit

On 7 March 2018, the Saudi FF announced that the league would be increased from 16 teams to 20 teams.[6] The competition will be known as the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League for the second season.[7]

Rule changes edit

On 7 March 2018, the SAFF announced that the numbers of foreign players were increased from 3 players to 7 players. They also increased the prize money to SAR 10 million.[8]

Teams edit

A total of 20 teams are contesting the league, including 9 sides from the 2017–18 season, 6 promoted teams from the Second Division, the two playoff losers from the 2017–18 Pro League playoffs, and three winners from the 2017–18 relegation playoffs.

No teams were relegated from the Pro League. Due to an increase in the number of teams, the Saudi FF announced that the relegation was canceled and in its place was a relegation play-off.[6] Both Pro League teams, Al-Raed and Ohod, won the playoffs and secured their top-flight status.

Al-Washm were promoted as the winners of the Second Division and Al-Jabalain were promoted as the runners-up. Al-Jeel defeated Al-Ansar in the third place playoffs. Both teams were promoted after the increase of teams. The 4 teams were joined by the third-placed teams of both groups, Al-Adalah and Al-Ain. Abha defeated Al-Watani in the relegation playoffs and became the only Second Division side to win their relegation playoff match.

Al-Washm and Al-Ain will play in the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League for the first time in their history. Al-Jabalain return to the MS League for the first time since the 2007–08 season. Abha return to the MS League for the first time since the 2014–15 season. Al-Ansar return to the MS League for the first time since the 2013–14 season. Al-Adalah and Al-Jeel return to the MS League after only a season's absence.

On 4 May 2018 Al-Watani became the only club to be relegated to the Second Division following their 1–0 defeat to Abha.[9]

Team changes edit

The following teams have changed division since the 2017–18 season.

Stadia and locations edit

Team Location Stadium Capacity
Abha Abha Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium 20,000[10]
Al-Adalah Al-Hasa Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium [1] 19,096[11]
Al-Ain Al-Atawilah King Saud Sport City Stadium (Al Bahah) 10,000[12]
Al-Ansar Medina Al-Ansar Club Stadium 5,000[13]
Al-Jabalain Ha'il Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium 12,000[14]
Al-Jeel Al-Hasa Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium [2] 19,096[11]
Al-Kawkab Al-Kharj Al-Shoulla Club Stadium 5,200[15]
Al-Khaleej Saihat Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Stadium 10,000[16]
Al-Mujazzal Al-Majma'ah Al-Majma'ah City Stadium 5,200[17]
Al-Nahda Dammam Prince Fahd bin Salman Stadium 21,701[18]
Al-Nojoom Al-Hasa Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium [3] 19,096[11]
Al-Orobah Sakakah Al-Oruba Club Stadium 7,000[19]
Al-Qaisumah Qaisumah Al-Batin Club Stadium 6,000[20]
Al-Shoulla Al-Kharj Al-Shoulla Club Stadium 5,200[15]
Al-Tai Ha'il Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium 12,000[14]
Al-Washm Shaqra Al-Washm Club Stadium 3,670[21]
Damac Khamis Mushait Damac Club Stadium 3,556[22]
Hajer Al-Hasa Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium [4] 19,096[11]
Jeddah Jeddah Reserve Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City 1,000[23]
Najran Najran Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium [5] 20,000[10]

1: ^ Najran will play at Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium due to the ongoing war in Yemen
2: ^ Al-Adalah, Al-Jeel, Al-Nojoom and Hajer also use Al-Fateh Club Stadium (7,000 seats) as a home stadium.

Foreign players edit

The number of foreign players is limited to 7 per team.[24]

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 Player 6 Player 7 Former Players
Abha   Gilles Ngomo   Ibrahima Camara   Ousmane Pato   Souleymane Demba   Marouane Fakhr   Mohamed Houssem Slimène   Houssem Tabboubi   Cédric Tchoumbé
  Daouda Camarra
Al-Adalah   Selemani Ndikumana   Carolus Andria   Martial Yao   Moctar Fall   Bilel Souissi   Yassine Boufalgha   Youssef Fouzai   Leo Alves
Al-Ain   Bruno Silva   Diego Assis   Soualio Ouattara   Moctar Cissé   Moses Ogbu   Faiz Al-Rushaidi   Abdoulaye Dieng [ar]   Rennan Oliveira
  Masahudu Alhassan
  Azeez Shobola
  Sy Ass Mandaw
  Hichem Essifi
Al-Ansar   Ley Matampi   Dieudonné Nkoume   Mohamed Awal   Abdallah Deeb   David Ifeanyi   Abdelrazaq Al-Hussain
Al-Jabalain   Sedjro Counou   Yuri Messias   Senosi Al Hadi   Peter Nworah   Hugo López   José Galán   Mahmoud Al-Youssef   Harmony Ikande
  Isah Eliakwu
  Alfred Sankoh
Al-Jeel   Francisco Pereira [ar]   Gugu Vieira   José Anderson   Kadu Fernandes   Sidevaldo Pereira [ar]   Valdinei   Jean Zirignon   Leandro Tanaka
Al-Kawkab   Mohamed Koffi   Torric Jebrin   Jose Fajardo   Emmanuel Gomis   Mignane Diouf   Ali Ayari   Chaker Rguiî   Rafael Donato
  Chiheb Jebali
Al-Khaleej   Bernardo Souza   Nicolas Ondama [ar]   Alsény Bangoura   Daouda Bangoura   Lassina Diaby   Abdullah Al-Zubi   Alioune Ndiaye
Al-Mujazzal   Ailton Machado   Allan Machado   João Paulo   Shassiri Nahimana   Dmitri Stajila   Miloš Krstić   Nicholas Dillon   David Batista
  Carlos Ross
  Draško Đorđević
  Lester Peltier
Al-Nahda   Fodé Camara   Yamodou Touré   Hortalin Zadi   Idrissa Coulibaly   Cheibane Traoré   Alaeddine Abbès   Zied Ziadi   Michaïlou Dramé
  Jean Zirignon
  Abdou Traoré
Al-Nojoom   Gabriel Macedo   Aboubacar Sawadogo   Hermann Kouao   Paul Onobi   Mohammad Al-Dmeiri
  Saith Sakala
Al-Orobah   Eydison   Felipe Félix   Jefinho   Elhadji Ndoye   Mohamed Daf   Daneil Cyrus   Lester Peltier   Dija Baiano
  Pedro Rosa
  Ismaël Yanogo [ar]
  Maxime Feudjou
  Frank Elvis [ar]
  Ousmane Barry
Al-Qaisumah   Ali Lakroum   Mohamed Hammouche   Youcef Chibane   Arthur Silva   Mamut Saine   Gbolahan Salami   Montassar Khemir   Diego Barboza
  Ante Hrakac
  Kofi Boakye
  Souleymane Demba
  Nikola Ašćerić
Al-Shoulla   Tarabai   Cheick Moukoro   Sylla Daouda   Emmanuel Banahene   Piqueti   Wilson Akakpo   Ziyo Tembo   Anye Fru
  Julien Ebah
  Béranger Itoua
  Mahmoud Shika
Al-Tai   Dudu   Pitty   Christopher Mendouga   Aboubacar Sylla   Mamadou Barry   Moussa Sarr   Saith Sakala   Said Al-Ruzaiqi
  Bouba Sall
  Malick Sambou
  Kemo Soumare
Al-Washm   Hamza Aït Ouamar   Constantin Bakaki   Ahmed Khaled   Kafoumba Touré   Ugonna Uzochukwu   Vasco Coelho   Nidhal Saïed   Rodolfo Mol
  Razak Nuhu
  Mohamed Diabagate
Damac   Hacène Ogbi   Abdel Fadel Suanon   Aubin Kouakou   Gbagbo Junior Magbi   Ahmed Al Ahmed   Khaled Haj Othman   Mahmoud Ben Salah   Harouna Samake
  Alegbe Victor
  Christian Pyagbara
Hajer   Diego Barboza   Rayllan Bruno   Noor Sabri   Alassane Diop   Gege Soriola   Łukasz Gikiewicz   Mohamed N'Doye   Robert Ghansah
  Ahmed Hosni
Jeddah   Felipe Nunes   Thiago Furtuoso   Oumarou Kaina   Alain Zoe   Patrick Gbala   Ousmane Diabaté   Okiemute Odah   Abami Giovani
  Reda El-Weshi
  Gilles N'Guessan
Najran   Guy Toindouba   Mohammad Zureiqat   Marco Tagbajumi   Reuben Gabriel   Mehdi Ressaissi   Omar Zekri   Wassim Naouara   Esquerdinha
  Felipe Almeida
  Mosquito
  Moïse Zongo
  Mohamed Doumouya

League table edit

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Abha (C, P) 38 19 12 7 52 38 +14 69 Promotion to Pro League
2 Damac (P) 38 16 16 6 52 31 +21 64
3 Al-Adalah (P) 38 18 9 11 49 39 +10 63
4 Al-Khaleej (Q) 38 15 15 8 49 39 +10 60 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs
5 Al-Jeel 38 16 9 13 52 44 +8 57[a]
6 Al-Tai 38 15 12 11 39 34 +5 57[a]
7 Najran 38 13 13 12 47 43 +4 52
8 Jeddah 38 11 17 10 46 43 +3 50[b]
9 Al-Nojoom 38 11 17 10 46 44 +2 50[b]
10 Al-Nahda 38 14 7 17 41 42 −1 49[c]
11 Al-Ain 38 12 13 13 43 45 −2 49[c]
12 Al-Shoulla 38 13 9 16 42 46 −4 48[d]
13 Al-Kawkab 38 13 9 16 45 52 −7 48[d]
14 Al-Mujazzal 38 12 12 14 41 45 −4 48[d]
15 Al-Jabalain 38 11 15 12 35 40 −5 48[d]
16 Al-Ansar 38 12 11 15 39 41 −2 47[e]
17 Al-Qaisumah (R) 38 13 8 17 46 53 −7 47[e] Relegation to the Second Division
18 Hajer (R) 38 11 14 13 39 42 −3 47[e]
19 Al-Washm (R) 38 12 7 19 35 51 −16 43
20 Al-Orobah (R) 38 5 11 22 37 63 −26 26
Updated to match(es) played on 15 May 2019. Source: kooora.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) Play-off (only for deciding champion, promotion and relegation).[25]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Al-Jeel finished ahead of Al-Tai on head-to-head goal difference: Al-Jeel 2–0 Al-Tai, Al-Tai 1–0 Al-Jeel.
  2. ^ a b Jeddah finished ahead of Al-Nojoom on overall goal difference: Jeddah +3, Al-Nojoom +2 (Jeddah 1–1 Al-Nojoom, Al-Nojoom 2–2 Jeddah).
  3. ^ a b Al-Nahda finished ahead of Al-Ain on overall goal difference: Al-Nahda −1, Al-Ain −2 (Al-Nahda 2–1 Al-Ain, Al-Ain 2–1 Al-Nahda).
  4. ^ a b c d Head-to-head points: Al-Shoulla 13, Al-Kawkab 12, Al-Mujazzal 7, Al-Jabalain 2 (Al-Shoulla 2–1 Al-Kawkab, Al-Kawkab 3–2 Al-Shoulla, Al-Shoulla 2–0 Al-Mujazzal, Al-Mujazzal 1–2 Al-Shoulla, Al-Shoulla 0–0 Al-Jabalain, Al-Jabalain 1–3 Al-Shoulla, Al-Kawkab 2–1 Al-Mujazzal, Al-Mujazzal 2–1 Al-Kawkab, Al-Kawkab 1–0 Al-Jabalain, Al-Jabalain 1–2 Al-Kawkab, Al-Mujazzal 1–0 Al-Jabalain, Al-Jabalain 0–0 Al-Mujazzal).
  5. ^ a b c Head-to-head points: Al-Ansar 8, Al-Qaisumah 4, Hajer 3 (Al-Ansar 4–1 Al-Qaisumah, Al-Qaisumah 0–2 Al-Ansar, Al-Ansar 1–1 Hajer, Hajer 2–2 Al-Ansar, Al-Qaisumah 2–1 Hajer, Hajer 0–0 Al-Qaisumah).

Positions by round edit

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
Abha41271111843111111111112322111111111111111
Damac1711453134455335334533443322222222222222
Al-Adalah7533711131617121411138965254111233333343344333
Al-Khaleej103813171315171611910127810111297755564445434433444
Al-Jeel1115181810769131713966677710141410813121410129766655555
Al-Tai9131716181416111014161617151711131412131314141214131391081010877666
Najran226101291065788912791010131111121311137666675566777
Jeddah310544211222444222321234445554557788988
Al-Nojoom5812121517181514131515151414171213118886978778121213119911119
Al-Nahda671115916171818181918141719191917141212139656911131188101316131510
Al-Ain1112259576667912151515161818151618171717171614139911128911
Al-Shoulla151496561112111517171816151417181920201920202020191920181919191918181712
Al-Kawkab2020202020202020202018191918181816161715151617161515151415161617161614151013
Al-Mujazzal131719191919181415101112101311121487999710898811131511141211141214
Al-Jabalain191614881288987781110139981010111281010111314151415151513101315
Al-Ansar1491376357633552443466671079111410791114121010121416
Al-Qaisumah126101414181419191920202020202020202017171815151616161617171716171717171617
Hajer84211422344223556645561114111212151210912131415161818
Al-Washm18191617161071089121311101388111516161718171818181818191818181819191919
Al-Orobah161815913151213121610141619161618191819192019191919202019202020202020202020
Leader
Promotion to 2019–20 Saudi Professional League
Qualification to promotion play-off
Relegation to 2019–20 Second Division
Updated to match(es) played on 15 May 2018. Source: [citation needed]

Results edit

Home \ Away ABH ADA AIN ANS JAB JEL KAW KHJ MUJ NAH NOJ ORO QAI SHO TAI WAS DAM HJR JED NAJ
Abha 1–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–0 1–0 2–2 2–0 2–1 4–2 1–1 1–2 2–2 2–2 1–0 1–0 2–1 1–1 3–1
Al-Adalah 0–2 2–0 1–2 2–0 1–0 4–2 2–1 1–2 2–1 1–2 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0
Al-Ain 0–0 1–1 1–0 3–2 1–3 3–0 1–0 3–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 0–1 3–1 0–1 2–0 0–0 1–2 2–2 1–1
Al-Ansar 0–1 2–1 2–3 1–1 3–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 2–0 4–1 0–1 0–0 0–2 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–2
Al-Jabalain 0–1 3–2 1–0 1–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 2–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–1 0–0 0–2 1–1
Al-Jeel 1–0 0–0 1–1 0–1 4–1 2–0 0–0 1–3 0–0 3–0 3–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 3–3 0–3 3–0 2–2
Al-Kawkab 0–2 0–1 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 2–2 2–1 1–2 1–1 3–1 2–1 3–2 0–2 0–1 2–2 1–1 1–2 1–2
Al-Khaleej 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 2–1 2–1 0–0 3–0 0–0 0–0 1–2 3–2 1–0 1–0 3–1 1–1 3–2 1–0 1–0
Al-Mujazzal 2–3 2–1 4–0 1–1 1–0 0–2 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 1–2 2–1 0–0 1–3 4–0 0–0 1–1
Al-Nahda 0–2 0–2 2–1 4–0 0–0 0–1 0–1 1–4 0–0 1–0 2–1 2–3 2–0 2–0 0–1 0–2 0–1 0–0 1–0
Al-Nojoom 2–2 0–0 2–2 2–1 0–0 4–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–1 2–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 1–1 2–2 2–2
Al-Orobah 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–0 3–4 1–2 3–2 0–0 0–2 1–3 0–1 3–2 0–0 2–2 1–2 0–2 0–1 0–0 1–1
Al-Qaisumah 3–1 1–2 2–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–2 1–2 2–1 4–0 1–5 3–1 2–1 0–0 1–0 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–2
Al-Shoulla 0–1 2–0 1–2 0–4 0–0 1–2 2–1 1–0 2–0 0–1 0–1 3–2 1–0 1–2 3–1 0–3 0–2 3–1 3–1
Al-Tai 1–0 0–1 1–2 0–0 0–1 1–0 3–2 2–0 3–0 0–2 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 2–2 1–0 1–2 2–1 1–0
Al-Washm 2–3 2–1 0–0 3–1 3–1 0–1 1–3 2–1 1–0 0–4 0–2 0–0 0–1 0–3 1–0 0–2 1–1 4–1 1–3
Damac 0–0 3–0 1–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 0–1 3–0 0–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–1
Hajer 2–0 0–1 1–0 2–2 0–0 2–3 0–1 0–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–0 1–1 1–2 0–2 1–2 0–3 1–0
Jeddah 3–3 1–1 0–1 0–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–0 1–2 1–1 1–0
Najran 0–0 1–3 2–0 3–1 0–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–1 4–2 1–0 2–0 0–0 0–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 3–1
Updated to match(es) played on 15 May 2019. Source: [citation needed]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Season progress edit

Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
AbhaWLWLDWWWWWLWDDWWDLLDWWDDWWLWWDDWDWDWLD
Al-AdalahDWWDLLDLLWDWDWDWWWLWWWWLLWLWDLLWWLWDDW
Al-AinWWWDDLLWDWLDLLLLDDLLLWLDDWDDWWWWDDLWDL
Al-AnsarDWLWWWLLWWDDLWLDWDLDDLLWLLLWWDLLDWDLLD
Al-JabalainLDWWDLWDLWWLDLDLWDWLDDDWDDDLDLWLDLWWLD
Al-JeelDLLWWWDLLLWWWWLDLDLLDWWLDLWLWWWDDWWWLD
Al-KawkabLLLLLLLWWDWDDWDDWDLWLLLWWWLWLLDLWDWDWL
Al-KhaleejDWLLLWLDDWWDDWDLDLWWDWDWDWWDDWWLWDWLDD
Al-MujazzalDLLLWLWWLWDDWLDDDWWLDDWLWLWLLDLWLWDLDD
Al-NahdaWDLLWLLDLDLWWLLDDWWWDDWWWLLLLWWLLLLWLW
Al-NojoomWDLDLLDWDDDDDWDLWLWWWDDLWLWDLLDDDWDLDW
Al-OrobahLLWWLDWLDLWLLDWDLDLLDLDLLLDDDDLLLLLLLL
Al-QaisumahDWLLDLWLLLLLDLDWLWWWWWWLDWLLLLDWLLWDWD
Al-ShoullaLDWWWLLLDLDLLWWDLDLLLDLLLDWLLWDDWWWWWW
Al-TaiDLLWLWLWDLDLDWDWDLWDWLDWLDDWDWLDWWLWWW
Al-WashmLLWDDWWLWLLDWDLWDLLLLLLWLDDLLLWWWLLWWL
DamacLWWDWWLDWDDWDLWDDDWDDDWWWDWWWDDWDWLLDL
HajerDWWWDDWDDDDWDLLDLWWLLLLLWDDLWWDLLLDDLW
JeddahWLWDWWWDDDDDDDWDDDWWDDDLDLLWWLLLDLDLWL
NajranWWLLLWDWWLDLDLWLDDLWDDDWLWWWDDDWLDLLWD
Updated to match(es) played on 15 May 2019. Source: [citation needed]
W = Win; D = Draw; L = Lose

Statistics edit