A Roshn Saudi League marketing campaign like no different is within the books.

Jeddah giants Al-Ittihad ended their lengthy watch for top-flight glory, whereas Al-Batin and Al-Adalah dropped into Yelo League.

A sequence of different substantial occasions occurred all through a exceptional marketing campaign which remodeled preconceived notions concerning the Middle East’s premier membership competitors.

From Cristiano Ronaldo’s paradigm-shifting, mid-season Al-Nassr swap to Al-Hilal’s historic run on the FIFA Club World Cup and past, listed here are Arab News’ highlights from a memorable 2022-23.

Best participant

A brand new benchmark was set for goalkeeping excellence by Ittihad’s Marcelo Grohe.

The Brazil custodian surged previous the earlier document of 14 clear sheets in a single Pro League marketing campaign, ending with an official Opta tally of 18 (which might be 19 if he had not been afforded deserved adulation by a late substitution within the season finale vs. Al-Tai).

His 58 saves occurred in a title marketing campaign which noticed him crushed solely 13 occasions. Remarkably, it took till match week six for him to concede.

Ittihad’s success was constructed from the again and Grohe laid agency foundations.

Best coach

Ittihad’s lacking ingredient to finish a 14-year title wait proved to be Nuno Santo.

Last season’s agonizing close to miss beneath Cosmin Contra left a way of desolation and want for change. The membership’s flip to their bearded ex-Valencia, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur supremo proved astute.

Defensive rigidity was instilled as Egypt center-back Ahmed Hegazi turned his conduit on the pitch, with Ittihad letting in 5 fewer targets than anybody else. But this didn’t come at a price up prime, with a second-best tally of 60 targets scored helped by 21-goal prime marksman Abderrazak Hamdallah.

March’s astute 2-0 victory vs. Nassr and April’s curler coaster 2-1 win towards Al-Shabab — extra on that later — proved important junctures.

Breakthrough second

Saudi Arabian soccer modified endlessly on December 30, 2022.

This was when Ronaldo’s heralded arrival was introduced and a proud footballing nation’s limitless sporting ambitions turned actual.

The ex-Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid ahead couldn’t ship silverware for Nassr, regardless of notching a formidable 14 occasions in 16 top-flight outings. That should watch for subsequent season.

But he did ship huge international consideration, booming curiosity in tv rights — 48 channels/platforms now broadcast to 170 nations — and packed stands wherever he carried out.

Ronaldo has helped set a course for Roshn Saudi League to enter the “top-five leagues in the world.” Enormous intrigue surrounds which stellar names will be a part of him on this quest.

Breakthrough performer

Saudi Arabia’s lineage of elite strikers, from Majed Abdullah to Nasser Al-Shamrani, seems in secure arms with Firas Al-Buraikan.
The Al-Fateh star — who began World Cup 2022’s group-stage victory vs. eventual-champions Argentina — produced a career-best 17 top-flight targets, two greater than he had netted in each different marketing campaign mixed since his bow in April 2018. This eye-catching tally was sufficient to make him the league’s fourth-highest scorer.

Best signing

Al-Khaleej required a supply of inspiration — they usually discovered one in Fabio Martins.

Pedro Emanuel’s promoted facet have been fifteenth on 4 factors previous to the ex-Shabab loanee’s mid-season procurement on a free switch after an unfulfilled spell on the UAE’s Al-Wahda.

A trio of rejuvenating victories adopted within the Portuguese winger’s opening three matches. Martins ended the marketing campaign on seven targets and three assists from 17 run-outs, with Khaleej ending secure in 14th.

Signing who didn’t spark

It appeared the proper winter alternative for the irreplaceable David Ospina.

Nassr swiftly reacted to the Colombia goalkeeper’s critical elbow damage by loaning Agustin Rossi. The 27-year-old had amassed greater than 100 league run-outs for Boca Juniors, been beforehand known as up by Argentina and carried out to such a excessive commonplace {that a} pre-contract had been agreed with 2022 Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo.

Reality, nonetheless, would show distinctly underwhelming. February’s shaky debut in a 2-2 draw at Al-Fateh noticed him swiftly displaced by Nawaf Al-Aqidi and he solely began once more two months later when the Saudi Arabia prospect suffered health problems with his personal.

Best match

“Epic” barely does justice to April 27’s unforgettable 2-1 victory for Ittihad over Shabab.

This was a contest from which three penalties have been scored, one important spot-kick was missed and an 106th-minute winner cemented long-held title aspirations for the victor, whereas crushing these of the vanquished.

Hamdallah and Cristian Guanca exchanged efforts from 12 yards in an ultra-competitive top-three conflict. Referee Srdjan Jovanovic would once more level to the spot within the 89th minute, this time for Al-Shabab.

Conjecture adopted when Gabon ahead Aaron Boupendza took on penalty duties. His “Panenka” chip floated harmlessly into the arms of a grateful Grohe.

Fast ahead 1 / 4 of an hour at an electrified King Abdullah Sports City and Hamdallah lobbed house his personal penalty. Cue pandemonium on this recreation for the ages.

Best aim

Ronaldo’s free-kick skills remained sharp with a sensational 38-yard strike which sparked March’s rousing comeback victory towards Abha.

Valuable factors gave the impression to be draining away after Nassr loanee Abdulfattah Adam’s early opener for the guests went with out reply.

This was till the 78th minute when Ronaldo unleashed a ferocious low effort from distance which swerved previous the despairing grasp of Cameroon’s emergent 2022 World Cup No. 1, Devis Epassy.

Outstanding achievement

Stratospherically excessive requirements at Hilal imply the 2022-23 season will at all times be tinged by disappointment.

But this doesn’t present full context. The Riyadh heavyweights competed with distinction on all fronts, regardless of a switch ban and punishing schedule which might have derailed different golf equipment.

They turned the primary Asian outfit to succeed in a FIFA Club World Cup showpiece ultimate, made the ultimate of their AFC Champions League protection and secured a top-three Roshn Saudi League end.

The dramatic penalty shootout victory — after Ali Al-Bulaihi’s 99th-minute leveler vs.  Al-Wehda — within the King’s Cup decider won’t ever be forgotten.