page_title: Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C.
section_title: 2015–16 season
hierarchical_section_title: Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C. / History / Promotion to the Pro League / 2015–16 season
caption_attribution_description: English: Esteghlal Khuzestan players ans staffs after won Iran Pro League
context_page_description: Esteghlal Melli-Sanati Khuzestan Football Club commonly known as Esteghlal Khuzestan, is an Iranian football club based in Ahvaz, Iran. They currently compete in the Azadegan League after they were relegated from Persian Gulf Pro League in 2018–19 season.
  This football club is different from Esteghlal Ahvaz. In 2011 they bought Esteghlal Jonub's licence to compete in the Azadegan League. They finished 2012–13 season in 2nd place of their group and qualified to the promotion play-off. However, they were awarded the direct promotion IRIFF after group's winner, Shahrdari Tabriz's relegation due to match-fixing. They won the Persian Gulf Pro League title in 2015–16 season.
context_section_description: Before the start of the 2015–16 season Esteghlal Khuzestan signed many of Foolad Novin's players and were a major surprise, as they started well in the season. Esteghlal Khuzestan had four consecutive winning streak at the 12th week, which made Esteghlal Khuzestan finished champions of the first half of the season. After a great result with Abdollah Veisi, Esteghlal Khuzestan managed to keep their shape at the second half of the season. On January 1, 2016 Esteghlal Khuzestan lost to Persepolis which made the race tighter for first place, and also made Esteghlal Khuzestan fall to second place, Esteghlal became first after 17th week. The head coach Abdollah Veisi later said that our main goal is to take place at AFC Champions League. Esteghlal Khuzestan qualified to the AFC Champions League on 8 May, for the first time in their history. Esteghlal Khuzestan won the league title on 13 May after a 2–0 win over Zob Ahan.
caption: Esteghlal Khuzestan players celebrating after winning league title in 2015–16 season
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