2008–09 Lebanese Premier League

The 2008–09 Lebanese Premier League is the 48th season of Lebanon's football league. The league kicked off on October 11, 2008, Safa SC defeated Salam Zgharta at the opener. In that game, Mohammad Kassas scored the first goal of the season for Safa.

Lebanese Premier League
Season2008–09
ChampionsAl Nejmeh
RelegatedSalam Zgharta
Tripoli SC
Goals scored288
Top goalscorerIraq Salih Sadir (27)
Biggest home winNejmeh 2–0 Shabab Al-Ghazieh
Biggest away winTadamon Sour 1–4 Al-Mabarrah
Highest scoringTadamon Sour 1–4 Al-Mabarrah

Al Ahed is the defending champion. Salam Zgharta and Shahab Al-Ghazieh promoted from the second division.

Prior to the start, Tripoli SC announced its withdrawal due to several problems. Lebanese Football Federation confirmed the withdrawal on October 9, the league is going to resume with 11 teams.

Due to the restructuring of Asian competitions, Lebanese teams were entered into the AFC Cup. The Arab Champions League on the other hand would not be played.

Teams

Al-Irshad and Al-Ahli Sidon were relegated to the second level of Lebanese football after ending the 2007–08 season in the bottom two places. Promoted from the second level were Salam Zgharta and Shabab Al-Ghazieh.

Stadia and Locations

Beirut
Tyre
Tripoli
Sidon
Zgharta
Locations of teams in the 2008–09 Lebanese Premier League
ClubCityStadium
Al AhedBeirutMunicipal Stadium
Al AnsarBeirutSports City
NejmehBeirutSports City
Al MabarrahBeirutMunicipal Stadium
Safa Sporting ClubBeirutSafa Stadium
Shabab Al-SahelBeirutMunicipal Stadium
Tripoli SCTripoliOlympic Stadium
Tadamon SourTyreSour Stadium
Racing BeirutBeirutFouad Shehab Stadium
Hekmeh FCBeirutFouad Shehab Stadium
Salam ZghartaZghartaZgharta Stadium
Shabab Al-GhaziehSidonSaida Municipal Stadium

Managerial changes

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureReplaced by
Al Ansar Roy ThomasSacked[1] Jamal Taha

Final standings

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Nejmeh2016224414+30502010 AFC Cup qualification
2Al Ahed2015414522+23492010 AFC Cup qualification as cup winners
3Safa SC2012443515+2040
4Al-Ansar2010642517+836
5Shabab Al-Sahel207942926+330
6Al-Mabarrah206862421+326
7Racing Beirut2054111925−619
8Tadamon Sour2043132037−1715
9Hekmeh FC2035121430−1614
10Shabab Al-Ghazieh2042141937−1814
11Salam Zgharta2025131444−3011Relegation to the Lebanese Second Division
12Tripoli SC0-----0[a]
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head; 3rd goal difference; 4th goals scored
Notes:

Top scorers

RankNameClubGoals
1 Salih SadirAl-Ahed27
2 Mohammad KassasSafa16
3 Ahmad JaradiShabab Al-Sahel8
4 Ali NasseredineNejmeh7
5 Akram MoghrabiNejmeh6
Tomi JyakomilliNejmeh6
6 Zakaria ChararaNejmeh5

References