Saudi Professional League 2008-09
Encyclopedia
The Saudi Professional League is the top level league in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hilal
are the defending champions and also hold the most number of titles, with 11.
Asian Champions League.
The Top six qualify to Champions Cup.
Prize money:
12 goals Hicham Aboucherouane (Al-Ittihad) Nasser Al-Shamrani
(Al-Shabab)
10 goals Emad Moteab
(Al-Ittihad) Yasser Al Qahtani (Al-Hilal
)
9 goals Hassan Al-Raheb
(Al-Ahli) Amir Akrout (Al-Wahda) Naif Hazazi
(Al-Ittihad) Boris Landre (Al-Raed
)
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...
are the defending champions and also hold the most number of titles, with 11.
Qualification and Prize money
The Top three of the league and the winner of Champions Cup qualifies to the AFCAsian Football Confederation
The Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
Asian Champions League.
The Top six qualify to Champions Cup.
Prize money:
- First place: 2.5 million Saudi Riyals
- Second place: 1.5 million Saudi Riyals
- Third place: 1 million Saudi Riyals
Members clubs
| Club | Coach | Nationality | City | Stadium | Capacity | 2007-2008 season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abha Abha (football club) Abha is a Saudi Arabian association football team based in Abha that is currently playing in the Saudi First Division. Their home stadium is Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium.... |
Abdulqader Yomer |  |
Abha Abha Abha is the capital of Asir province in Saudi Arabia. It is situated at 2,200 metres above sea level in the fertile mountains of south-western Saudi Arabia near the National Park of Asir. Its mild climate makes it a popular tourist destination for Saudis... |
Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Abha, Saudi Arabia. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Abha. The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 people.... |
20,000 | The 2nd In 1st Division Saudi First Division The Saudi First Division is the second level football competition in Saudi Arabia. Al-Faisaly won the last first division championship in the 2009/2010 season.-Promotion and relegation:... |
|
| Al-Ahli | Stoycho Mladenov Stoycho Mladenov Stoycho Mladenov is a Bulgarian former football player and as of recently the manager of ENPPI Club.-Career:... |
 |
Jeddah Jeddah Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The... |
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium is a stadium in the port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The stadium is located in the south east of Jeddah, between King Abdulaziz University and the industrial city... |
24,000 | 8th | Gulf Club Champions Cup Gulf Club Champions Cup The GCC Champions League , formerly known as the Arabian Gulf Cup for Clubs , is an annually organized football league tournament for club of the Arab states... Qualifier |
| Al Hazm | Luiz Ribeiro Pinto Neto Luiz Ribeiro Pinto Neto Luiz Ribeiro Pinto Neto, best known as Lula, was a Brazilian football player.-Clubs:* ABC: 1964* Fluminense: 1965 - 1967* Palmeiras: 1967* Fluminense: 1968 - 1974... |
 |
Ar Rass Ar Rass Rass is a Saudi Arabian town, located in the Al Qassim Province. It lies southwest of Buraydah, the capital of the province and also north of Riyadh, the national capital.... |
Al Hazm Club Stadium Al Hazm Club Stadium Al Hazm Club Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Ar Rass, Saudi Arabia. It is currently used mostly for football matches, on club level by Al Hazm of the Saudi Professional League.spectators. The stadium has a capacity of 3,000... |
11,000 | 7th | Arab Champions League Arab Champions League The Arab Champions League is a football tournament for clubs in the Arab world. It was inspired by the UEFA Champions League.The Arab Champions League was first known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, and established in 1982. In 2001, it merged with the Arab Cup Winners' Cup to form the new Prince... Qualifier |
| Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club... |
Georges Leekens |  |
Riyadh Riyadh Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a... |
King Fahd Stadium | 69,000 | Champions | AFC Champions League 2009 AFC Champions League 2009 The 2009 AFC Champions League was the 28th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 7th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final took place at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on November 7... Qualifier |
| Al-Ittifaq Al-Ittifaq Ettifaq FC or Al-Ettifaq Club is a Saudi Arabian professional football club based in Dammam. 'Ittifaq' is Arabic for cooperation. Al Ettifaq was established after the merging of three clubs in the City of Dammam at the year 1944. Al Ettifaq is the first Saudi team to win an international title -... |
Ioan Andone Ioan Andone Ioan Andone is a Romanian football coach and former player.-Career:He made his Divizia A debut with Corvinul Hunedoara in 1979. He later went to Dinamo Bucureşti where he helped win the league title in 1984 and 1990 and the cup title in 1984, 1986 and 1990. In 1990 he was bought by Spanish team... |
 |
Dammam Dammam Dammam is the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, the most oil-rich region in the world. The judicial and administrative bodies of the province and several government departments are located in the city. Dammam is the largest city in the Eastern Province and third largest in Saudi... |
Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It is currently used mostly for football matches, and is the home of Ettifaq FC. The stadium has a capacity of 26,000 people. It is named after Muhammad bin Fahd, who is a the Governor of the Eastern Province... |
30,000 | 4th | AFC Champions League 2009 AFC Champions League 2009 The 2009 AFC Champions League was the 28th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 7th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final took place at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on November 7... Qualifier |
| Al-Ittihad | Gabriel Calderón Gabriel Calderón Gabriel Humberto Calderón is a former Argentine football midfielder.Calderón played in several teams including Argentine Racing Club de Avellaneda and Club Atlético Independiente, Spanish Real Betis and French Paris Saint-Germain... |
 |
Jeddah Jeddah Jeddah, Jiddah, Jidda, or Jedda is a city located on the coast of the Red Sea and is the major urban center of western Saudi Arabia. It is the largest city in Makkah Province, the largest sea port on the Red Sea, and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia after the capital city, Riyadh. The... |
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium is a stadium in the port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.The stadium is located in the south east of Jeddah, between King Abdulaziz University and the industrial city... |
24,000 | 2nd | AFC Champions League 2009 AFC Champions League 2009 The 2009 AFC Champions League was the 28th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 7th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final took place at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on November 7... Qualifier |
| Al-Nasr Al-Nasr Al Nassr FC is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Riyadh. Formed in 1955 the club plays its home games at King Fahd Stadium and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Its home colours are yellow and blue.-History:... |
Edgardo Bauza Edgardo Bauza Edgardo Bauza is an Argentine former footballer and current manager of Ecuadorian club LDU Quito. Before taking up management, he played over 300 games for Rosario Central, a club he went on to manage. He also played for Independiente in Argentina, Atlético Junior in Colombia and Veracruz in Mexico... |
|
Riyadh Riyadh Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a... |
King Fahd Stadium | 69,000 | 5th | Gulf Club Champions Cup Gulf Club Champions Cup The GCC Champions League , formerly known as the Arabian Gulf Cup for Clubs , is an annually organized football league tournament for club of the Arab states... Qualifier |
| Al Raed Al-Raed Al-Ra'ed is a Saudi sports club and the first of its kind in the Qassim region. One of the most important founders is Abdulaziz Al-Obodi. Al-Raed Plays in the professional Saudi league and had been to the league 11 times... |
Mohamed Aldo |  |
Buraydah | King Abdullah Sport City | 35,000 | The 1st In 1st Division Saudi First Division The Saudi First Division is the second level football competition in Saudi Arabia. Al-Faisaly won the last first division championship in the 2009/2010 season.-Promotion and relegation:... |
|
| Al-Shabab | Enzo Trossero Enzo Trossero Enzo Héctor Trossero , nicknamed El Vikingo , is an Argentine footballer and coach, who was last the manager of Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.-Career:... |
|
Riyadh Riyadh Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is also the capital of Riyadh Province, and belongs to the historical regions of Najd and Al-Yamama. It is situated in the center of the Arabian Peninsula on a large plateau, and is home to 5,254,560 people, and the urban center of a... |
King Fahd Stadium | 69,000 | 3rd | AFC Champions League 2009 AFC Champions League 2009 The 2009 AFC Champions League was the 28th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 7th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final took place at National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on November 7... Qualifier |
| Al-Wahda | Theo Bucker Theo Bücker Theo Bücker was born on the 10th of July, 1948 in Bestwig, Germany and is a German football manager and a former player.-Coaching Career:On the 8th of August in 2011, it was reported that Bücker was announced as Lebanon's new head coach, with the former national team manager taking over the reins... |
 |
Mecca Mecca Mecca is a city in the Hijaz and the capital of Makkah province in Saudi Arabia. The city is located inland from Jeddah in a narrow valley at a height of above sea level... |
King Abdul Aziz Stadium King Abdul Aziz Stadium King Abdul Aziz Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 38,000 people, and is the home stadium of Al-Wahda FC.... |
28,550 | 6th | Arab Champions League Arab Champions League The Arab Champions League is a football tournament for clubs in the Arab world. It was inspired by the UEFA Champions League.The Arab Champions League was first known as the Arab Club Champions Cup, and established in 1982. In 2001, it merged with the Arab Cup Winners' Cup to form the new Prince... Qualifier |
| Al-Watani Al-Watani Al-Watani is a Saudi Arabian football team, based in Tabuk. The club was established in 1959.Al-Watani has achieved promotion to the Saudi Premier League as the champion of the Saudi First Division during the 2006/07 season.- Current squad :... |
Moussa Saib Moussa Saïb Moussa Saïb is an Algerian Association football manager and former Algerian footballer. He is currently unattached, after last managing JS Kabylie in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1.-Career:... |
 |
Tabuk | Khalid bin Abdul Aziz Stadium | 20,000 | 9th | |
| Najran SC Najran SC Najran Sport Club is a Saudi Arabian football team based in Najran, they are currently playing in the Saudi Premier League.Najran SC achieved promotion to the Saudi Premier League by finishing 2nd in the Saudi First Division during the 2006/07 season.... |
Lotfy Albenzarte | |
Najran Najran Najran , formerly known as Aba as Sa'ud, is a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen. It is the capital of Najran Province. Designated a New town, Najran is one of the fastest-growing cities in the kingdom; its population has risen from 47,500 in 1974 and 90,983 in 1992 to... |
Al Akhdoud Club Stadium | 10,000 | 10th |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Replaced by | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Nasr Al-Nasr Al Nassr FC is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Riyadh. Formed in 1955 the club plays its home games at King Fahd Stadium and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Its home colours are yellow and blue.-History:... |
Edgar Edgar Edgar is a common name from Old English words ead + gar . Literally meaning "prosperity-spear" or "prosperous spearman." It may refer to:-Historical:... |
Sacked | Edgardo Bauza Edgardo Bauza Edgardo Bauza is an Argentine former footballer and current manager of Ecuadorian club LDU Quito. Before taking up management, he played over 300 games for Rosario Central, a club he went on to manage. He also played for Independiente in Argentina, Atlético Junior in Colombia and Veracruz in Mexico... |
January 2009 |
| Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club... |
Cosmin Olaroiu Cosmin Olaroiu Aurelian Cosmin Olăroiu is a former Romanian football player and football manager.-Club career:As a player, Olăroiu's best-known clubs he played for are Universitatea Craiova and Naţional Bucureşti. However, he also played with success in K-League for Suwon Samsung Bluewings and helped the team to... |
Sacked | Catalin Necula Catalin Necula Cătălin Necula, , is a former Romanian football player, currently manager of Al-Hilal. He was the assistant manager but became manager after previous manager Cosmin Olăroiu got fired.-Career as football player:... |
March 2009 |
| Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club... |
Catalin Necula Catalin Necula Cătălin Necula, , is a former Romanian football player, currently manager of Al-Hilal. He was the assistant manager but became manager after previous manager Cosmin Olăroiu got fired.-Career as football player:... |
Necula was temporary replacement | Georges Leekens |
April 2009 |
| Al-Ahli | Stoycho Mladenov Stoycho Mladenov Stoycho Mladenov is a Bulgarian former football player and as of recently the manager of ENPPI Club.-Career:... |
Sacked at end of the season | Gustavo Alfaro Gustavo Alfaro Gustavo Julio Alfaro is a former Argentine footballer currently working as a football manager. Alfaro most recently managed Rosario Central, but left due to poor results in the beginning of the Clausura 2009 with Central in danger of relegation.Alfaro had a short career as a footballer, he was... |
April 2009 |
| Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club... |
Georges Leekens |
Sacked after 1 month | Eric Gerets |
May 2009 |
Final league table
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Ittihad | 22 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 57 | 21 | 55 |
| 2 | Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club... |
22 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 41 | 9 | 50 |
| 3 | Al-Ahli | 22 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 33 | 20 | 40 |
| 4 | Al-Shabab | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 37 | 29 | 35 |
| 5 | Al-Nasr Al-Nasr Al Nassr FC is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Riyadh. Formed in 1955 the club plays its home games at King Fahd Stadium and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. Its home colours are yellow and blue.-History:... |
22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 22 | 34 |
| 6 | Al-Ettifaq Al-Ittifaq Ettifaq FC or Al-Ettifaq Club is a Saudi Arabian professional football club based in Dammam. 'Ittifaq' is Arabic for cooperation. Al Ettifaq was established after the merging of three clubs in the City of Dammam at the year 1944. Al Ettifaq is the first Saudi team to win an international title -... |
22 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 23 | 20 | 29 |
| 7 | Al-Wahda | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 33 | 39 | |
| 25 | ||||||||
| 8 | Al Hazm | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 25 | 31 | |
| 25 | ||||||||
| 9 | Najran SC Najran SC Najran Sport Club is a Saudi Arabian football team based in Najran, they are currently playing in the Saudi Premier League.Najran SC achieved promotion to the Saudi Premier League by finishing 2nd in the Saudi First Division during the 2006/07 season.... |
22 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 22 | 42 | |
| 21 | ||||||||
| 10 | Al Raed Al-Raed Al-Ra'ed is a Saudi sports club and the first of its kind in the Qassim region. One of the most important founders is Abdulaziz Al-Obodi. Al-Raed Plays in the professional Saudi league and had been to the league 11 times... |
22 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 28 | 43 | |
| 19 | ||||||||
| 11 | Abha Abha (football club) Abha is a Saudi Arabian association football team based in Abha that is currently playing in the Saudi First Division. Their home stadium is Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium.... |
22 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 19 | 40 | |
| 19 | ||||||||
| 12 | Al-Watani Al-Watani Al-Watani is a Saudi Arabian football team, based in Tabuk. The club was established in 1959.Al-Watani has achieved promotion to the Saudi Premier League as the champion of the Saudi First Division during the 2006/07 season.- Current squad :... |
22 | 2 | 6 | 14 | 22 | 48 | |
| 12 |
| Saudi Champions | |
| Relegation Playoff | |
| Relegated to 2nd Level | |
- Al RaedAl-RaedAl-Ra'ed is a Saudi sports club and the first of its kind in the Qassim region. One of the most important founders is Abdulaziz Al-Obodi. Al-Raed Plays in the professional Saudi league and had been to the league 11 times...
defeated AbhaAbha (football club)Abha is a Saudi Arabian association football team based in Abha that is currently playing in the Saudi First Division. Their home stadium is Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium....
4-3 in the end of season relegation playoff
| Saudi Professional League 2008-09 Winners |
|---|
| Al-Ittihad 8th Title |
Top goalscorers
Source: goalzz.com12 goals Hicham Aboucherouane (Al-Ittihad) Nasser Al-Shamrani
Nasser Al-Shamrani
Nasser Al-Shamrani is a Saudi Arabian football player for the Al-Shabab football club based in Riyadh. Nasser, a forward, moved to Al-Shabab during the beginning of the 2007-2008 season from Al-Wehda. He signed a contract with Al-Shabab for 13 million riyals for 5 seasons...
(Al-Shabab)
10 goals Emad Moteab
Emad Moteab
Emad Moteab is an Egyptian football striker. He plays for Al-Ahly Egyptian club as well as the Egyptian national team...
(Al-Ittihad) Yasser Al Qahtani (Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club , also known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian sports club based in the country's capital of Riyadh and best known for its professional football team, known as Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club...
)
9 goals Hassan Al-Raheb
Hassan Al-Raheb
Hassan Al-Raheb [حسن الراهب in Arabic] is a Saudi football player. He currently plays for Al Ahli.-Honours:*Saudi First Division Champion in 2005/2006 with Al-Khaleej*Gulf Club Champions Cup Champion in 2008 With Al-Ahly...
(Al-Ahli) Amir Akrout (Al-Wahda) Naif Hazazi
Naif Hazazi
Naif Hazazi , is a Saudi Arabian footballer, currently playing for the Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad club. He plays as a centre forward....
(Al-Ittihad) Boris Landre (Al-Raed
Al-Raed
Al-Ra'ed is a Saudi sports club and the first of its kind in the Qassim region. One of the most important founders is Abdulaziz Al-Obodi. Al-Raed Plays in the professional Saudi league and had been to the league 11 times...
)