2012–13 Iraqi Premier League
| Season | 2012–13 |
|---|---|
| Champions |
Al-Shorta 4th Premier League title 9th Iraqi title |
| Relegated |
Al-Kahraba (15th) Sulaymaniya (16th) Al-Sinaa (17th) Kirkuk (18th) |
| AFC Champions League qualifiers | Al-Shorta |
| AFC Cup | Erbil |
| Matches played | 306 |
| Goals scored | 772 (2.52 per match) |
| Top goalscorer |  Amjad Radhi (25 goals) |
| Biggest home win |
Al-Zawraa 7–0 Kirkuk FC Erbil 8–1 Al-Minaa |
| Biggest away win | Al-Sinaa 0–6 Al-Minaa |
| Highest scoring | Erbil 8–1 Al-Minaa |
| Longest winning run | 6 games Zakho (27 January 2013 - 27 February 2013) Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (4 May 2013 - 24 July 2013) |
| Longest unbeaten run | 20 games Al-Shorta (20 October 2012 - 27 April 2013) |
| Longest losing run | 12 games Kirkuk (14 May 2013 - 4 September 2013 (last day of season)) |
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← 2011–12
2013–14 →
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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.
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.
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.
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