# Esteghlal Ahvaz F.C.

Esteghlal Ahvaz Football Club (Persian: باشگاه فوتبال استقلال اهواز, Bashgah-e Futbal-e Esteqlâl Ahvaz), commonly known as Esteghlal Ahvaz, was an Iranian football club based in Ahvaz, Khuzestan, that competed in the khuzestan province league The club was founded in 1948 as Taj Ahvaz Football Club (Persian: باشگاه فوتبال تاج اهواز).
The football team played their home games at the Takhti Ahvaz which has a seating capacity of 10,000. The club was owned and supported by Mohammad Maleki.

## History
### Establishment

The club was founded as Taj Ahvaz Football Club by Hakim Shoushtari in 1938. The club was one of Taj Tehran branches at the time.

### Before 1970

Before the 1970s, Iran did not have an official national football league. Most clubs participated in championships of their city or province. In addition to that Taj Ahvaz played in the Khuzestan Premier League until 1970.

### 1970s

In 1970, the Local League was created. The league included teams from all Iran in different qualifying tournaments. Taj Ahvaz finished first in Group A of their qualifying tournament. After losing the semifinal, Taj Ahvaz defeated Javanan Isfahan 2–0 in the third-place match.
The club also participated in the 1971–72 Local League season. Taj Ahvaz missed again qualification for the final stage after defeating 0–2 by Sepahan in the semifinal of their qualifying tournament. Once again, they achieved third place after a 2–1 win over Tractor.
In 1972, the Takht Jamshid Cup was founded as the national league and included teams from all over the country. Although Taj Ahvaz was promoted to the Takht Jamshid Cup in 1973, the club had to play in the Khuzestan Premier League anymore. Reason therefore was rule by the Iran Football Federation. They allowed only one team of the same name to participate in the league at that time. Taj Tehran played in the league already.

### 1979 Revolution

After the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Taj Ahvaz changed its name into Esteghlal Ahvaz Football Club. Esteghlal means independence in Persian. After the revolution, any sign of the previous monarchist regime was not tolerated.

### 1980s and 1990s

Due to the revolution and the Iran–Iraq War, the Takht Jamshid Cup was dissolved and also the lower leagues were unorganized. The war hit Ahvaz and Khuzestan hard. Consequently, the people paid very little attention to the club and football in general at that time. In 1989 the Qods League was created as the national football league, but Esteghlal Ahvaz did not participate.
In 1991 the Azadegan League was formed as the top flight of Iranian football. Esteghlal Ahvaz played eight years in the league with average results. After they finished 13th in the 1997–98 Azadegan League season, Esteghlal Ahvaz relegated to Iran Football's 2nd Division.

### 2000s

After the Iran Pro League was established as the professional football league of Iran, Azadegan League was declared as the second-highest professional league in the Iranian football league system. Esteghlal Ahvaz won the 2001–02 Azadegan League season and promoted to Iran Pro League.
Esteghlal Ahvaz had a good team and remained in Iran pro League. They finished eighth in the 2003–04 Iran Pro League season and fifth one season later.
After they achieved only 12th place in 2005–06 Iran Pro League, Esteghlal Ahvaz finished as runners-up in the 2006–07 season. They continued to be an average team in seasons 2007–08 and 2008–09.

### Weak years

Based on a weak performance during 2009–10 Iran Pro League, Esteghlal Ahvaz finished 18th and relegated to Azadegan League. Only one year later they relegated again due to a lot of instability in 2010–11 Azadegan League as they finished 13th. Esteghlal Ahvaz returned to Azadegan League in 2012. They won the 2011–12 Iran 2nd Division after a 4–3 win over PAS Novin Hamedan.
Past on two average seasons, Esteghlal Ahvaz relegated again to League 2. They lost their Play-off match against Shahrdari Tabriz 3–3 on aggregate due to away goals.

### Promotion and relegation

Although Esteghlal Ahvaz was relegated to League 2, they were able to play in the 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League. They get the licence from Foolad Novin, which was actually promoted. Foolad Novin could not promote to Persian Gulf Pro League as they are the reserve side of Foolad Khuzestan. However the team was mismanaged and they were relegated back to the Azadegan League several games before the end of the season.
Because of a very poor performance in the 2016–17 Azadegan League season, Esteghlal Ahvaz relegated to League 2 without winning a single match.

## Stadium

Esteghlal Ahvaz plays their home games at the Takhti Ahvaz which has a seating capacity of 10,000. The stadium was opened in 1978 and is owned by the Municipality of Ahvaz. The stadium was renovated in 2005 and 2012. It is also the home venue of local rival Shahin Ahvaz.
Furthermore, Esteghlal Ahvaz played two matches in the 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League season at Ghadir. They played also their Hazfi Cup match in this season there.

### Average attendances

| Season | Division | Average |
| 2005–06 | 1 | 5,667 |
| 2006–07 | 1 | 6,267 |
| 2007–08 | 1 | 7,938 |
| 2008–09 | 1 | 5,000 |
| 2009–10 | 1 | 5,059 |
| 2010–11 | 2 | 1,800 |
| 2015–16 | 1 | 1,773 |
| 2016–17 | 2 | 927 |
Notes: Matches with spectator bans are not included in average attendances

## Supporters

Due to the Iran–Iraq War, the people paid very little attention to the club and football in general in the 1980s.
Based on weak years between 2010 and 2015, the club has to fight with falling attendance numbers and sinking popularity.
Last but not least the fans stands out negative sometimes. For instance the fans thrown stones in a match against Persepolis on 22 April 2016. As a result of this, Esteghlal Ahvaz had to play three matches with spectator bans.

## Rivalries

Esteghlal Ahvaz' main rival is Foolad.

### Ahvaz Derby

Esteghlal Ahvaz' longest-running and deepest rivalry is with the other major club in Ahvaz, Foolad Khuzestan. Matches between the two clubs are referred to as the Ahvaz Derby. Although Foolad represents the Arab minority of Ahvaz, while the supporters of Esteghlal Ahvaz are primarily Persians, there is no any ethnic rivalry in the derby. After weak seasons of Esteghlal Ahvaz in the past, the derby lost in importance.

### Further rivalries

Other smaller rivalries within Ahvaz include those with Esteghlal Khuzestan and Shahin Ahvaz.

## Seasons

The table below chronicles the achievements of Esteghlal Ahvaz in various competitions since 1970.
| Season | Division | League | Position | Hazfi Cup | Notes |
| 1970–71 | 1 | Local League | 3rd (Region D) | Not held | |
| 1971–72 | 1 | Local League | 3rd (Region C) | Not held | |
| 1991–92 | 1 | Azadegan League | 8th | | |
| 1992–93 | 1 | Azadegan League | 5th (Group B) | | |
| 1993–94 | 1 | Azadegan League | 14th | | |
| 1994–95 | 1 | Azadegan League | 4th (Group B) | | |
| 1995–96 | 1 | Azadegan League | 7th | | |
| 1996–97 | 1 | Azadegan League | 9th | | |
| 1997–98 | 1 | Azadegan League | 13th | | Relegated |
| 1998–99 | 2 | League 2 | 4th (Group 1) | Semi-Final | |
| 1999–00 | 2 | League 2 | 5th (2nd Round) | | |
| 2000–01 | 2 | League 2 | 3rd (Group 3) | | |
| 2001–02 | 2 | Azadegan League | 1st (2nd Round) | | Promoted |
| 2002–03 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 11th | | |
| 2003–04 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 8th | Quarter-Final | |
| 2004–05 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 5th | Semi-Final | |
| 2005–06 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 12th | Round of 32 | |
| 2006–07 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 2nd | Quarter-Final | Runners-up |
| 2007–08 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 8th | Round of 16 | |
| 2008–09 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 14th | Round of 16 | |
| 2009–10 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 18th | Round of 32 | Relegated |
| 2010–11 | 2 | Azadegan League | 13th (Group B) | 3rd Round | Relegated |
| 2011–12 | 3 | League 2 | 1st (Group A) | 1st Round | Promoted |
| 2012–13 | 2 | Azadegan League | 10th (Group A) | Round of 32 | |
| 2013–14 | 2 | Azadegan League | 8th (Group A) | 3rd Round | |
| 2014–15 | 2 | Azadegan League | 9th (Group A) | Round of 32 | Promoted |
| 2015–16 | 1 | Persian Gulf Pro League | 16th | Round of 32 | Relegated |
| 2016–17 | 2 | Azadegan League | 18th | 2nd Round | Relegated |
| 2017–18 | 3 | League 2 | 8th | did not enter |
| 2018–19 | 3 | League 2 | 11th | did not enter | Relegated |
| 2019–20 | 4 | League 3 | Disqualified | did not enter | Relegated |
Notes: The Persian Gulf Pro League was formerly known as Iran Pro League (IPL) and Persian Gulf Cup (PGC) The Azadegan League was the highest division between 1991 and 2001 The League 2 was formerly known as Iran 2nd Division The League 3 was formerly known as Iran 3rd Division

## Honours
### Domestic

* Persian Gulf Pro League
** Runners-up (1): 2006–07
* Azadegan League
** Winners (1): 2001–02
* League 2
** Winners (1): 2011–12

## Players
### First team squad

    As of 1 September 2016.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 10 | MF | IRN | Adel Kolahkaj |
| 13 | FW | IRN | Ali Bigdeli |
| 15 | DF | IRN | Peyman Taleshi $^{U23}$ |
| 20 | DF | IRN | Mehdi Eslami |
| 24 | FW | IRN | Reza Bahmaei $^{U23}$ |
| 25 | DF | IRN | Milad Rabbani $^{U23}$ |
| 26 | DF | IRN | Maki Sharifi |
| 28 | FW | IRN | Mehdi Niyayesh Pour |
| 29 | MF | IRN | Mohammad Javad Kerdouni $^{U21}$ |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 31 | MF | IRN | Mojtaba Rashidi $^{U21}$ |
| 32 | MF | IRN | Sadegh Zharfani $^{U21}$ |
| 34 | DF | IRN | Mehdi Yalali $^{U21}$ |
| 38 | FW | IRN | Mirfarzad Majidi |
| 39 | DF | IRN | Adel Masoudifard $^{U23}$ |
| 45 | GK | IRN | Ali Kordani |
| — | MF | IRN | Pedram Ardalany |
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers summer 2016.

## Coaches
### Coaches since 1993

| No. | Coach | from | until | Major Titles | Major Titles |
| 1 | Bahram Atef | July 1993 | June 2001 | 0 | |
| 2 | Mehdi Monajati | July 2001 | 2002 | 0 | |
| 3 | Jalal Cheraghpour | 2002 | June 2002 | 1 | Azadegan League |
| 4 | Amir Ghalenoei | July 2002 | June 2003 | 0 | |
| 5 | Nasser Hejazi | July 2003 | June 2004 | 0 | |
| 6 | Luka Bonačić | July 2004 | 2005 | 0 | |
| 7 | Martik Khachatourian | 2005 | 2005 | 0 | |
| 8 | Mahmoud Yavari | 2005 | June 2005 | 0 | |
| 9 | Srđan Gemaljević | July 2005 | June 2006 | 0 | |
| 10 | Firouz Karimi | July 2006 | November 2007 | 0 | |
| 11 | Majid Jalali | November 2007 | May 2008 | 0 | |
| 12 | Karim Boustani | July 2008 | August 2008 | 0 | |
| 13 | Mahmoud Yavari | August 2008 | August 2008 | 0 | |
| 14 | Reza Ahadi | August 2008 | August 2008 | 0 | |
| 15 | Akbar Misaghian | August 2008 | February 2009 | 0 | |
| 16 | Khodadad Azizi | June 2009 | September 2009 | 0 | |
| 17 | Majid Bagherinia | 2009 | 2009 | 0 | |
| 18 | Mohammad Ahmadzadeh | 2009 | 2009 | 0 | |
| 19 | Mehdi Hasheminasab | 2009 | 2009 | 0 | |
| 20 | Alireza Firouzi | 2009 | September 2010 | 0 | |
| 21 | Dariush Yazdi | September 2010 | January 2011 | 0 | |
| 22 | Firouz Karimi | February 2011 | March 2011 | 0 | |
| 23 | Afshin Kamaei | March 2011 | March 2011 | 0 | |
| 24 | Fereydoon Fazli | April 2011 | April 2011 | 0 | |
| 25 | Dariush Yazdi | April 2011 | May 2011 | 0 | |
| 26 | Adel Hardani | July 2011 | November 2012 | 0 | |
| 27 | Masoud Norouzi | November 2012 | November 2012 | 0 | |
| 28 | Ali Hanteh | November 2012 | June 2013 | 1 | League 2 |
| 29 | Davoud Mahabadi | July 2013 | June 2014 | 0 | |
| 30 | Dariush Yazdi | July 2014 | 2015 | 0 | |
| 31 | Habib Khadirian | 2015 | 2015 | 0 | |
| 32 | Fereydoun Hardani | 2015 | 2015 | 0 | |
| 33 | Hossein Seyed-Salehi | 2015 | 2015 | 0 | |
| 34 | Saber Mirghorbani | 2015 | June 2015 | 0 | |
| 35 | Siavash Bakhtiarizadeh | July 2015 | October 2015 | 0 | |
| 36 | Ali Hanteh | November 2015 | December 2015 | 0 | |
| 37 | Siavash Bakhtiarizadeh | January 2016 | June 2016 | 0 | |
| 38 | Hamidreza Farzaneh | July 2016 | December 2016 | 0 | |
| 39 | Siavash Bakhtiarizadeh | January 2017 | | 0 | |

## Club chairmen
### Chairmen since 2002

| No. | Coach | from | until |
| 1 | Nasrollah Heibodi | | 2002 |
| 2 | Ali Shafizadeh | 2002 | 2006 |
| 3 | Shahram Shafizadeh | 2006 | 2011 |
| 4 | Safar Jamalpour | 2011 | 2016 |
| 5 | Farshid Faraji | 2016 | |