2021–22 Saudi First Division League
| Highest scoring | Al-Jeel 3–6 Al-Sahel (14 December 2021) |
|---|---|
| Longest winning run | Hajer Ohod (5 matches) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Al-Sahel (10 matches) |
| Longest winless run | Al-Kawkab (26 matches) |
| Longest losing run | Bisha (7 matches) |
← 2020–21 →
All statistics correct as of 28 May 2022. | |
The 2021–22 First Division League (known as the Yelo League for sponsorship reasons) was the first 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 started on 6 September 2021 and concluded on 28 May 2022.[1][2]
All three teams were promoted on the final day of the season.
Bisha were the first team to be relegated on 5 May. They were relegated following a 2–1 defeat away to Al-Adalah.[6] Al-Kawkab were relegated a day later following a 2–0 home defeat to Al-Jabalain.[7] Al-Nahda became the third side to be relegated following a 3–0 defeat away to Ohod on 18 May.[8] On 23 May, Al-Diriyah became the fourth side to be relegated despite a 2–1 away win against Bisha.[9] On the final matchday, Al-Jeel became the fifth and final side to be relegated despite a 2–1 away win against Al-Nahda.[10]
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
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.[12][13]
Name sponsorship
On 1 September 2021, the FDL announced a sponsorship with car rental company Yelo. As part of the sponsorship deal, the First Division League would be known as the Yelo League for the next 3 seasons.[14][15]
Team changes
The following teams have changed division since the 2021–22 season.
To the First Division LeaguePromoted from Second Division Relegated from
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From the First Division LeaguePromoted to Relegated to
|
Teams
A total of 20 teams are contesting the league, including 13 sides from the
The first club to be relegated to the First Division League was
The first club to be promoted was
Al-Okhdood defeated Al-Orobah 4–2 on penalties (3–3 after extra time) to win their second title and first since 1992.[21]
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
- Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Foreign players
On 26 June 2021, the Saudi FF announced that the number of foreign players was increased from 4 players to 5 players.[37]
Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Khaleej (C, P)
|
38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 51 | 36 | +15 | 66[a] | Promotion to the Pro League
|
| 2 | Al-Adalah (P) | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 42 | 32 | +10 | 66[a] | |
| 3 | Al-Wehda (P) | 38 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 51 | 29 | +22 | 65 | |
| 4 | Hajer | 38 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 44 | 31 | +13 | 63 | |
| 5 | Al-Jabalain | 38 | 17 | 10 | 11 | 48 | 39 | +9 | 61 | |
| 6 | Ohod | 38 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 51 | 42 | +9 | 59 | |
| 7 | Al-Qadsiah | 38 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 40 | 32 | +8 | 55 | |
| 8 | Al-Kholood | 38 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 40 | 36 | +4 | 54 | |
| 9 | Al-Orobah | 38 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 45 | 44 | +1 | 52[b] | |
| 10 | Najran | 38 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 38 | 33 | +5 | 52[b] | |
| 11 | Al-Ain | 38 | 11 | 16 | 11 | 38 | 41 | −3 | 49[c] | |
| 12 | Al-Okhdood | 38 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 43 | 44 | −1 | 48[d] | |
| 13 | Al-Sahel
|
38 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 50 | 43 | +7 | 48[d] | |
| 14 | Al-Shoulla
|
38 | 10 | 18 | 10 | 40 | 34 | +6 | 48[d] | |
| 15 | Jeddah | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 35 | 39 | −4 | 47[e] | |
| 16 | Al-Jeel (R) | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 37 | 51 | −14 | 47[e] | Relegation to the Second Division
|
| 17 | Al-Diriyah (R) | 38 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 38 | 56 | −18 | 42 | |
| 18 | Al-Nahda (R) | 38 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 37 | 52 | −15 | 38 | |
| 19 | Al-Kawkab (R) | 38 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 30 | 54 | −24 | 27 | |
| 20 | Bisha (R) | 38 | 5 | 10 | 23 | 27 | 57 | −30 | 25[c] |
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).[39]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- ^ a b Al-Khaleej finished ahead of Al-Adalah on overall goal difference: Al-Khaleej +15, Al-Adalah +10 (Al-Khaleej 2–2 Al-Adalah, Al-Adalah 0–0 Al-Khaleej).
- ^ a b Al-Orobah finished ahead of Najran on head-to-head points: Al-Orobah: 4, Najran: 1 (Najran 1–2 Al-Orobah, Al-Orobah 0–0 Najran).
- ^ a b Bisha were awarded a 3–0 win over Al-Ain due to Al-Ain's inability to hold the fixture.[38]
- ^ a b c Al-Okhdood finished ahead of Al-Sahel and Al-Shoulla on head-to-head points: Al-Okhdood: 8 pts; Al-Sahel: 3 pts; Al-Shoulla: 3 pts. Al-Sahel finished ahead of Al-Shoulla on overall goal difference: Al-Sahel +7, Al-Shoulla +6.
- ^ a b Jeddah finished ahead of Al-Jeel on head-to-head points: Jeddah: 4, Al-Jeel: 1 (Jeddah 0–0 Al-Jeel, Al-Jeel 1–2 Jeddah).
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.
