Season 2012–13 AFC Cup Erbil Goals scored 772 | AFC Champions League qualifiers Al-Shorta Top goalscorer Amjad Radhi (25 goals) Matches played 306 | |
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Champions Al-Shorta
4th Premier League title
9th Iraqi title Biggest home win Al-Zawraa 7–0 Kirkuk FC
Erbil 8–1 Al-Minaa Relegated Al-Kahraba FC, Al-Sinaa SC, Kirkuk FC People also search for 2013–14 Iraqi Premier League | ||
The 2012–13 Iraqi Premier League was the 39th season of the Iraqi Premier League since its establishment in 1974. The season began on 19 October 2012 and finished on 4 September 2013. Al-Shorta ended up as the champions with 72 points, two points ahead of nearest rivals Arbil FC. Al-Shorta were defeated only twice in the entire season and this title was their fourth Iraqi League title in their history; it was also the first time they had won the league since 2003. Having finished above the relegation zone on goal difference just two seasons prior, Al-Shorta were nobody's pick for the title at the start of the season; the likes of Erbil, Duhok, Zakho, Al-Zawraa, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al-Talaba were touted as the favourites, so it was a surprise that Al-Shorta were the ones to lift the trophy.
Contents
- Format
- SWAT Incident
- Current foreign players
- Current table
- Results table
- Top scorers
- Player of the Season
- Others
- References
On the very last day of the season, three teams were all still in the enthralling race for the title. Al-Shorta needed a win against Al-Talaba to secure the league, whilst Erbil had to defeat Najaf and hope that Al-Shorta failed to win their game if they wanted to retain their title. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya needed both Al-Shorta and Erbil to slip up and needed to defeat Al-Masafi by a big goal-margin in order for them to go home with the trophy. All three teams ended up winning their respective matches, making Al-Shorta the champions.
Format
The league's format has changed once again this season, following the switch from a two-group format to a traditional league last season. A total of 18 teams are contesting the league, two fewer than last season. As a result of this, the bottom four teams in the 2011-12 season were relegated but only two were promoted from the Iraq Division 1. These two promoted teams were Naft Al-Janoob and Sulaymaniya.
The winner and the runner-up qualify to the 2014 AFC Cup. The 3rd place this season will qualify for the 2013–14 UAFA Club Cup.
4 teams will be relegated to 2013–14 Iraq Division 1 and 2 teams will be promoted from 2012–13 Iraq Division 1 to the Iraqi Premier League next season 2013–14.
SWAT Incident
on June 23, 2013 post Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya match, seven football players of Karbala FC and their coach were beaten by the anti-terror police. They used sticks and batons against the coach and his players. Five of them were in critical condition, and on June 30, Mohammed Al-Jaboury, coach of Karbala FC, died in hospital.
Current foreign players
4 Foreign players allowed for each club
Current table
Updated to games played on 4 September 2013.
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
1Al-Kahraba and Naft Al-Janoob refused to play each other after the death of Karbala's coach in round 25. On July 27, before round 30, the Iraqi FA decided not to deduct either team any points.
Results table
Updated to games played on 4 September 2013.
Source: Soccerway
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For coming matches, an a indicates there is an article about the match.
2Al-Kahraba and Naft Al-Janoob refused to play each other after the death of Karbala's coach in round 25. On July 27, before round 30, the Iraqi FA decided not to deduct either team any points.
Top scorers
As of September 4, 2013Player of the Season
The Player of the Season was awarded to Hussein Abdul-Wahed of Al-Shorta.