Esteghlal (استقلال in Persian, meaning 'Independence') (formerly known as Taj, meaning 'Crown') is a football club in Iran.
It is one of the most famous football (soccer) clubs in Iran's Premier Football League, established in 1945, and won many cups in different competitions. Esteghlal and Perspolis are presently the two most popular football clubs in Iran, however in recent years their dominance has been seriously threatened by other clubs like Sepahan and Foolad. The team's main rival and its opponent in the Tehran derby is Persepolis. Azadi Stadium is always sold out when the match takes place. The team is currently under the control of the welfare organization (سازمان رفاه), a government department.
Club history
On 24 September, 1945, three individuals by the names of Mirzani, Jananpour and Navab started a sports club in Ferdowsi Street of Tehran. Since the founders of the club were mostly interested in cycling, the club's original name was Docharke Savaran or The Cyclists.
The Docharkhe Savaran football club played its first official match a year later, and in 1947 was able to capture the Tehran Hazfi Cup.
In 1949, the team officially changed its name to Taj. The club became the second 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 team had to change its name again in 1979 to Esteghlal(independence in Persian), because of the revolution. Taj means crown in Persian, and after the revolution, any sign of the previous monarchist regime was not tolerated, so naturally, the name Taj was not suitable.
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 Ghalenoei was able to get the team its first championship in the IPL in the 2005-06 season after three years as the manager.
Season-by-season
The table below chronicles the achievements of Esteghlal FC every season, from 1994 to the present day.
1994-1995
Azadegan League
2nd
1995-1996
Azadegan League
3rd
Cup''
1996-1997
Azadegan League
6th
Asian Cup Winners Cup (Semifinal)
1997-1998
Azadegan League
1st (Champions)''
1998-1999
Azadegan League
2nd
Final
Asian Cup (2nd)
1999-2000
Azadegan League
2nd
Cup''
Asian Cup Winners Cup (Second Round)
2000-2001
Azadegan League
1st (Champions)''
Semifinal
Asian Cup Winners Cup (Semifinal)
2001-2002
Iran Premier League
2nd
Cup''
Asian Cup (3rd)
2002-2003
Iran Premier League
9th
2003-2004
Iran Premier League
2nd
Final
2004-2005
Iran Premier League
3rd
2005-2006
Iran Premier League
1st (Champions)''
Quarterfinal
"Esteghlal FC".
