Esteghlal Khuzestan F.C.
Esteghlal Meli-Sanati Khuzestan Football Club, commonly known as Esteghlal Khuzestan, is an Iranian football club based in Ahvaz, Iran. They currently compete in the Persian Gulf Pro League after awarded for promotion to upcoming season by IRIFF after Shahrdari Tabriz's relegation due to match-fixing. This football club is different from Esteghlal Ahvaz.[1] In 2011 they bought Esteghlal Jonub's licence to compete in the Azadegan League.
History
Azadegan League years (2011–2013)
After an average 6th-place finish in the teams inaugural year in the Azadegan League, 2012–13 season turned out to be a different year, with a 2nd-placed finish the club was promoted to the Iran Pro League for the first time in their history.
Promotion to Persian Gulf Pro League (2013–present)
In Esteghlal Khuzestan's first year in the top flight they finished 12th, escaping relegation play-off by better goal difference. In the Hazfi Cup Esteghlal Khuzestan exited the competition in the Round of 32 after a shock defeat to Azadegan League side Alvand Hamedan. Esteghlal finished the 2014–15 season 14th, meaning they would have to play in a relegation play-off against the winner of the Azadegan League promotion play-off winner. Esteghlal Khuzestan defeated Mes Kerman 3–0 on aggregate meaning they had secured a spot in the 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League season.
2015–16
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 4 consecutive winning streak at the 12th week, which made Esteghlal Khuzestan finish champions of the first half of the season. [2] [3] After a great result with Abdollah Veisi, Esteghlal Khuzestan managed to keep their shape at the second half of the season. In January 1st, 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. [4]
Season-by-season
The table below shows the achievements of the club in various competitions.
Players
First-team squad
Esteghlal Khuzestan in 2015-16 season.
As of January 14, 2016
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers winter 2015–16.
Coaches
Former Coaches
| Period |
Name |
G |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Note |
| 2011–2013 |
 Majid Bagherinia |
52 |
22 |
15 |
15 |
52 |
41 |
+11 |
Promoted to PGL |
| 2013–present |
Abdollah Veisi |
89 |
24 |
37 |
28 |
99 |
101 |
-2 |
|
Coaching Staff
| Staff[5] |
Name |
| Head coach |
Abdollah Veisi |
| Assistant coach |
Houshang Lobnian |
| Assistant coach |
Seyed Akbar Pourmousavi |
| Coach |
Ali Akbar Mehdipour |
| Physical coach |
 Rafael Bispo |
| International manager |
Behdad Bayat |
| Doctor |
Jalal Heydari |
| Physiotherapist |
Sadegh Norouzi |
| Analyzer |
Habib Eslami |
| Team Manager |
Bahman Roshnaei |
See also
References
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| | 2015–16 teams | |
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| | Former teams | |
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| | Competition | |
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| | Statistics and awards | |
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| | Associated competitions | |
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| | Seasons | |
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| | List of transfers | |
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| | League competitions | |
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| | Cup competitions | |
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| | Defunct competitions | |
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| | National teams | |
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| | Lists and categories | |
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