Esteghlal F.C.
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| Full name | Esteghlal Tehran Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Taj (Persian: تاج) Es-Es (not to be confused with SS) (Persian: اس اس} |
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| Founded | September 26, 1945 | ||
| Ground | Azadi Stadium Tehran, Iran (Capacity: 90,000[1]) |
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| Chairman |  Amirreza Vaezi Ashtiani |
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| Head Coach | Samad Marfavi |
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| League | Persian Gulf Cup | ||
| 2008-09 | Champions | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
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 Current season |
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Esteghlal Cultural and Athletic Club (Persian: باشگاه فرهنگی ورزشی استقلال ایران) is an Iranian sports club most widely known for its professional football team based in Tehran. It was founded as Taj (Persian: تاج), meaning 'Crown' in Persian and renamed after Islamic Revoloution in 1979. Founded in 1945, they play in the IPL and have spent most of their history in the top tier in Iranian football. It is one of the most famous and popular football clubs in Asia. The club also has a similarly successful futsal section.
They play their home games at the 100,000 capacity Azadi Stadium in Tehran. The club's traditional kit colours are royal blue shirts, shorts and socks.
Esteghlal have been Asian Champions Book 2 times and have also won 6 National Championship titles.Esteghlal is the most successful club in Asian Champion's League with 2 champions titles and 2 runner up tied with Al-Hilal Riadh of Saudi Arabia.
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[edit] History
[edit] Establishment
On 26 September 1945, three Iranian military officers Mirzani, Jananpour and Navab started a sports club on Ferdowsi Street, Tehran. Since the founders of the club were mostly interested in cycling, the club's original name was Docharkheh Savaran (Persian: دوچرخه سواران), meaning 'The Cyclists' in Persian. Docharkheh Savaran football club played its first official match in 1946, and in 1947 was able to win the Tehran Hazfi Cup.
[edit] Emerging success
In 1949, the club officially changed its name to Taj. The club became the most loved team in Iran after some years, and were able to make their fans happy by winning numerous league championships, Hazfi Cups and Asian Club Championships. The club has been able to get successful results in the past couple of years and is always looked at as a contender for the league championship. In the past two years it has finished 2nd or 3rd in the league, but Amir Ghalenoei was able to get the team its first championship in the IPL in the 2005-06 season after his third and final year as the manager.
[edit] 1979 Islamic Revolution
After 1979 Islamic Revoloution in Iran, the club was confiscated by newly established Islamic government and right now is under the control of the Physical Education Organization of Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: سازمان تربیت بدنی جمهوری اسلامی ايران), a governmental organization, and change its name to Esteghlal (Persian: استقلال), 'Independence' in Persian. Taj (Persian: تاج) means 'Crown' in Persian, and after the revolution, any sign of the previous monarchist regime was not tolerated.
[edit] Tehran Derby
- Main articles: Tehran Derby
The club's main rival and its opponent in the Tehran Derby is Persepolis F.C. The first derby match between the clubs took place on April 5, 1968 at Amjadieh Stadium. The Azadi Stadium is always sold out when the match takes place. Ali Samereh Scored the earliest goal in Tehran derby for Esteghlal F.C. against Persepolis F.C. which came less than a minute into the game. Since 1995, IRIFF have invited foreign referees to officiate the game to ease fan and player suspicions of referee bias. This occurred after the events of the 38th derby. In the 38th derby (January 11, 1995) Persepolis was leading in the match by a score of 2-0 until the last 10 minutes of the match. Esteghlal scored 2 goals in quick succession, including one which was a penalty. This angered the Persepolis fans and players who felt the referee was biased towards Esteghlal. Persepolis fans stormed the field, and many fights broke out on the pitch between fans and players. After this match it was decided that Iranian referees will no longer be used for the derby. After 13 years of foreign referees the second leg of the 2008-09 season Derby an Iranian ref once again refereed the game. The game ended a draw goals coming from Mojtaba Jabari and Maziar Zare. Over the years Esteghlal has been the more successful team with 20 wins, Persepolis having 16.
[edit] AFC Champions League
Esteghlal is the most successful club in Asian Champion's League with 2 champions titles and 2 runner up tied with Al-Hilal Riadh Saudi Arabia.
[edit] AFC Champions League 2007
Esteghlal was dropped from the 2007 edition of the Asian Champion's League after the AFC did not receive the club's player list for the tournament in time. Despite efforts by the club management to reverse the decision, AFC upheld its decision [2] and the club's board resigned soon after.
[edit] Stadium
- Main articles: Azadi Stadium
The Azadi (Persian: ورزشگاه آزادی) is a football stadium in Tehran, Iran. It is the home of Esteghlal F.C. Work on the grounds started in 1971. It has an official capacity of 100,000 but has been filled over capacity several times. The Stadiums former name was Aryamehr Stadium but was changed after the Iranian Revolution. Prior to the construction of Azadi Esteghlal used to play their games at Amjadieh Stadium
[edit] Players
[edit] First-team squad
- See also: Esteghlal F.C. season 2008-09 - As of August 92008.[3]
Iranian clubs are limited to use four players without Iran Citizenship.
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For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers summer 2009.
[edit] World Cup Players
[edit] Current national Players
[edit] Club captains
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This section requires expansion. |
| Name | Nat | Career | Captaincy | # |
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| Amir Ghalenoei | |
1988-1997 | 1993-1997 |
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| Javad Zarincheh | |
1986-2002 | 1997-2002 |
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| Mahmoud Fekri | |
1993-2007 | 2002-2007 |
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| Alireza Mansourian | |
1995-1997 2003-2008 |
2007-2008 |
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| Farhad Majidi | |
1997-1999 2007- |
2008- |
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[edit] Club Managers
[edit] Notable managers
Only managers who have won at least one trophy are mentioned.
| Name | Period | Trophies | |||||||
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| Domestic | International | ||||||||
| IPL | HC | AL | ACL | ||||||
 Zdravko Rajkov |
1969-1976 |
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| Mansour Pourheidari |
1995-1996 2000-2002 |
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| Nasser Hejazi |
1996-1999 |
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| Amir Ghalenoei |
2003-2006 2008- |
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[edit] IPL Managers
- Main articles: List of Esteghlal F.C. Managers
| Name | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||
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| P | W | D | L | % | |||||
| Mansour Pourheidari | |
2000 | 2002 | 26 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 50% | |
| Roland Koch |  |
2002 | 2003 | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 31% | |
| Amir Ghalenoei | |
2003 | 2006 | 86 | 46 | 30 | 10 | 53% | |
| Samad Marfavi | |
2006 | 2007 | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 47% | |
| Nasser Hejazi | |
Aug 2007 | Nov 2007 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 36% | |
| Firouz Karimi | |
Nov 2007 | May 2008 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 33% | |
| Amir Ghalenoei | |
May 2008 | May 2009 | 25 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 70% | |
| Samad Marfavi | |
May 2009 | Present | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
[edit] Current management team
| Position | Name |
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| Manager | Samad Marfavi |
| First Coach | Erich Rutemöller |
| Second Coach | Gholam Hossein Mazloomi |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Behzad Gholampour |
| Fitness Coach | Rainer Kraft |
| Football Academy President | Masoud Moeni |
| Analyser | Morteza Mohasses |
| Doctor | Kaveh Sotoudeh |
| Physiotherapist | Amin Norouzi |
| Psychologist | Abbas Montazeri |
| Analyser | TBA |
| Director | Gholam Hossein Mazloomi |
| Media Officer | Mohammad Hayrani |
[edit] Chairmen
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This section requires expansion. |
| Chairman | Tenure |
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 Parviz Sheikhan |
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| Parviz Khosravani |
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| Kazem Oliaei |
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| Ali Fathollahzadeh |
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| Hossein Gharib |
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| Kazem Oliaei |
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| Hossein Gharib |
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| Meghdad Najafnejad |
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| Ali Fathollahzadeh |
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| Amirreza Vaezi Ashtiani |
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[edit] Season-by-season
The table below chronicles the achievements of Esteghlal in various competitions since 1945.
| Season | League | Pos. | Hazfi Cup | ACL |
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| 1945-1946 | Tehran Provincial League | 2nd | Not held | Not held |
| 1946-1947 | Tehran Provincial League | 5th | ||
| 1947-1948 | Tehran Provincial League | ? | ||
| 1948-1949 | Tehran Provincial League | 1st | ||
| 1949-1950 | _ | Not held | ||
| 1950-1951 | Tehran Provincial League | 2nd | ||
| 1951-1952 | Tehran Provincial League | 5th | ||
| 1952-1953 | Tehran Provincial League | 3rd | ||
| 1953-1954 | Tehran Provincial League | 4th | ||
| 1954-1955 | _ | Not held | ||
| 1955-1956 | Tehran Provincial League | 1st | ||
| 1956-1957 | Tehran Provincial League | 2nd | ||
| 1957-1958 | Tehran Provincial League | 1st | ||
| 1958-1959 | Tehran Provincial League | ? | ||
| 1959-1960 | Tehran Provincial League | 1st | ||
| 1960-1961 | Tehran Provincial League | 3rd | ||
| 1961-1962 | Tehran Provincial League | 1st | ||
| 1962-1963 | Iran Local League | 4th | ||
| 1963-1964 | Iran Local League | 2nd | ||
| 1964-1965 | Tehran Provincial League | 3rd | ||
| 1965-1966 | Tehran Provincial League | 3rd | ||
| 1966-1967 | _ | Not held | ||
| 1967-1968 | Iran Local League | 5th | ||
| 1968-1969 | Iran Local League | 4th | ||
| 1969-1970 | _ | Not held | ||
| 1970-1971 | Iran Local League | 1st | Cup | |
| 1971-1972 | Iran Local League | 4th | 3 | |
| 1972-1973 | _ | Not held | Did not qualify | |
| 1973-1974 | Takht Jamshid Cup | 2nd | ||
| 1974-1975 | Takht Jamshid Cup | 1st | ||
| 1975-1976 | Takht Jamshid Cup | 4th | 1/8 Final | |
| 1976-1977 | Takht Jamshid Cup | 4th | Cup | |
| 1977-1978 | Takht Jamshid Cup | 4th | Not held | |
| 1978-1979 | Takht Jamshid Cup | did not finish | ||
| 1979-1980 | 1979 Shahid Espandi Cup | 6th | ||
| 1980-1981 | Tehran Provincial League | 4th | ||
| 1981-1982 | Tehran Provincial League | 2nd | ||
| 1982-1983 | Tehran Provincial League | 1st | ||
| 1983-1984 | Tehran Provincial League | did not finish | ||
| 1984-1985 | Tehran Provincial League | 1st | ||
| 1985-1986 | Tehran Provincial League | 3rd | ||
| 1986-1987 | Tehran Provincial League | 3rd | 1/8 Final | |
| 1987-1988 | Tehran Provincial League | 2nd | 1/16 Final | |
| 1988-1989 | 17th of Shahrivar league | 4th | 1/8 Final | |
| 1989-1990 | Qods League | 1st | Final | |
| 1990-1991 | _ | Not held | 1/8 Final | Cup |
| 1991-1992 | Azadegan League | 2nd | Not held | Final |
| 1992-1993 | Azadegan League | 3rd | Not held | Did not qualify |
| 1993-1994 | 2nd Division | 2nd | ||
| 1994-1995 | Azadegan League | 2nd | ||
| 1995-1996 | Azadegan League | 3rd | Cup | |
| 1996-1997 | Azadegan League | 6th | Semifinal | |
| 1997-1998 | Azadegan League | 1st | Not held | Did not qualify |
| 1998-1999 | Azadegan League | 2nd | Final | Final |
| 1999-2000 | Azadegan League | 2nd | Cup | Second round |
| 2000-2001 | Azadegan League | 1st | Semifinal | 3 |
| 2001-2002 | Iran Pro League | 2nd | Cup | Semifinal |
| 2002-2003 | Iran Pro League | 9th | First round | |
| 2003-2004 | Iran Pro League | 2nd | Final | Did not qualify |
| 2004-2005 | Iran Pro League | 3rd | ||
| 2005-2006 | Iran Pro League | 1st | Quarterfinal | |
| 2006-2007 | Iran Pro League | 4th | 1/16 Final | Disqualified |
| 2007-2008 | Iran Pro League | 13th | Cup | Did not qualify |
| 2008-2009 | Iran Pro League | 1st | 1/16 Final | First round |
[edit] Achievements
[edit] National
- Winners (6): 1974-75, 1989-90, 1997-98, 2000-01, 2005-06, 2008-09
- Runners-Up (6): 1973-74, 1991-92, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2001-02, 2003-04
- Winner (1): 1970
- Runner-Up (1): 1993-94
- Winners (5): 1977, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2008
- Runners-Up (2): 1999, 2004
[edit] Continental
[edit] Statistics and records
[edit] Sponsorship
- Official shirt sponsors -
- Official shirt manufacturer - Uhlsport
- Technological partner - DibaIT
- Official Water - Damavand Mineral Water Co.
[edit] IPL Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
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| 2001-02 | Daei SWE | LG |
| 2002-03 | ||
| 2003-04 | Jouraban | Aiwa |
| 2004-05 | Aghili | Sharp |
| 2005-06 | Abi Pooshan | SAGEM |
| 2006-07 | Merooj | MTN Irancell |
| 2007-08 | CCC | |
| Aghili | City Credit Cooperative(CCC) , Shahrvand Chain Stores |
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| 2008-09 | Uhlsport | Iran MobileMarket Belal Electromotors Co.,ltd |
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Makazi stadium capacity". http://www.markazisport.com/amaken.asp?id=7392.
- ^ "AFC uphold Esteghlal disqualification". AFC. http://www.afcchampionsleague.com/en/news/index.asp?aid=46828&cid=1381&sqid=768. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ "(English) Esteghlal Teh. squad". iplstats. http://www.iplstats.com/playersteam4.htm. Retrieved on 2008-08-09.
[edit] External links
- (Persian) Official website
- (Persian) Esteghlali - Esteghlal Fan Club website
- (Persian) Esteghlaliranfc - Esteghlal Fan Club weblog
- (Persian) Esteghlal fc - Esteghlal Fan Club website
- (Persian) Abieteh - Esteghlal Fan Club website
- (Persian) Abidelan - Esteghlal Fan Club Forum
- (Persian) Esteghlal Tehran - Esteghlal Tehran
- (Persian) Esteghlal Fans - FCE Fans Website
- (Persian) Abiparastan - Fans Website
| Achievements | ||
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| Preceded by Maccabi Tel Aviv  |
Champions of Asia 1970 |
Succeeded by Maccabi Tel Aviv |
| Preceded by Liaoning FC  |
Champions of Asia 1990-91 |
Succeeded by Al-Hilal  |
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Seasons:2007-08| 2008-09
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