Saba Qom Football Club ( fa, باشگاه فوتبال صبای قم, ''Bashgah-e Futbal-e Sâbay-e Qâm'') was an Iranian
football team based in
Qom
Qom (also spelled as "Ghom", "Ghum", or "Qum") ( fa, قم ) is the seventh largest metropolis and also the seventh largest city in Iran. Qom is the capital of Qom Province. It is located to the south of Tehran. At the 2016 census, its popul ...
,
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkm ...
. The club was dissolved in 2018. The team is a former part of
Saba Battery Club
Saba Battery Club (also Saba Battery Physical and Cultural Gym) is an Iranian sports club based in Tehran, Iran. The club was founded in 2002شود
Teams
* Saba Battery Football Club, competing in the Iran Pro League
The Persian Gulf Pro Leagu ...
, owned by ''Saba Battery Co.'', and was moved to
Qom
Qom (also spelled as "Ghom", "Ghum", or "Qum") ( fa, قم ) is the seventh largest metropolis and also the seventh largest city in Iran. Qom is the capital of Qom Province. It is located to the south of Tehran. At the 2016 census, its popul ...
in 2007, although they were formerly registered as a team from
Tehran
Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the Capital city, capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is th ...
playing at
Shahid Derakhshan Stadium
The Shahid Derakhshan Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Robat Karim, Iran. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is owned by, and the home of, Saba Battery F.C.
Saba Qom Football Club ( fa, باشگاه فوتبال صب� ...
of
Robat Karim
Robat Karim ( fa, رباطكريم, also Romanized as Robāţ Karīm; formerly known as Shahriar and Shahryār) is a city in and capital of Robat Karim County, Tehran Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 62,937, in 16,675 famili ...
.
Saba won the 2005 edition of the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (Jām-e Hazfi; ) is the Iranian football knockout cup competition, run by the Iranian Football Federation.
The Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, hence the winner of Hazfi Cup represented Iran in the Asian Club ...
and the 2005 edition of the
Iranian Super Cup
The Iranian Super Cup ( Persian: سوپر جام ایران, ''Super Jam-e 'Iran'') is an Iranian association football trophy awarded to the winner of a match between the Persian Gulf Pro League's season champion and the winner of the Hazfi Cup. I ...
.
History
Mohemmat sazi Football Club () was
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkm ...
ian
football club based in
Tehran
Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the Capital city, capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is th ...
,
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkm ...
. They play in the
2nd Division.
Establishment
In 1974 a
football called ''Mohemat Sazi'' was established in
Tehran
Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the Capital city, capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is th ...
. The team never had any major success and only played in the lower leagues of the
Iranian football league system
The Iranian football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for football clubs in Iran.
Structure
The current structure has been in place since 2001. The Persian Gulf Pro League (PGL) is the highest level of club football in Iran. ...
. They came close to making it to Tehran's top football league in the
Elyas Talebi 1980s. In the early 1990s the club was sponsored by a company named ''Maham''. During the later stages of the club's history they were sponsored by ''Sanam'', an electronics company.
Takeover
In 2002 the club's shares were sold to ''Saba Battery Company'' (also known as ''Niru Company'') which is under the control of Iran's Ministry of Defense.
Due to the club's greatly improved financial status the team was able to purchase talented players and were promoted to the
Iran Pro League
The Persian Gulf Pro League ( fa, لیگ برتر خلیج فارس, ''Lig-e Bartar-e Xalij-e Fârs''), formerly known as the Iran Pro League ( fa, links=no, لیگ برتر ایران, ''Lig-e bartar-e Irân''), is the highest division of profe ...
in 2004.
Domestic Titles
2004–2005
In the first year of participation in
Iran Pro League
The Persian Gulf Pro League ( fa, لیگ برتر خلیج فارس, ''Lig-e Bartar-e Xalij-e Fârs''), formerly known as the Iran Pro League ( fa, links=no, لیگ برتر ایران, ''Lig-e bartar-e Irân''), is the highest division of profe ...
, Saba Battery managed to participate in the
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League (abbreviated as ACL) is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's top-division football clubs. It is the most prestigious club competition ...
for the first time ever, After becoming champions of the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (Jām-e Hazfi; ) is the Iranian football knockout cup competition, run by the Iranian Football Federation.
The Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, hence the winner of Hazfi Cup represented Iran in the Asian Club ...
under
Milan Živadinović
Milan Živadinović ( sr-cyr, Милан Живадиновић, ; 15 December 1944 – 17 July 2021) was a Serbian football player and coach. He was also the scout for Ghanaian footballers for Southeast Europe. In his homeland he was nicknamed ...
. In the 2005 season Saba Battery also won the
Iranian Super Cup
The Iranian Super Cup ( Persian: سوپر جام ایران, ''Super Jam-e 'Iran'') is an Iranian association football trophy awarded to the winner of a match between the Persian Gulf Pro League's season champion and the winner of the Hazfi Cup. I ...
, defeating
Foolad
Foolad Khuzestan Football Club ( fa, باشگاه فوتبال فولاد خوزستان, ''Bāshgāh-e Futbāl-e Fulād-e Khuzestān'') is an Iranian football club, based in Ahwaz, Khuzestan that plays in Persian Gulf Pro League. Foolad F.C. w ...
the Iran Pro League champion 4–0.
And until 2016 they remained the only team to have the title.
2006–2007
Although Saba Battery did not have a successful year in Iran Pro League, they were competitive in the Hazfi Cup. Saba Battery became Runners-up after losing to
Sepahan
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan Sport Club ( fa, باشگاه فرهنگی ورزشی فولاد مبارکه سپاهان اصفهان, ''Bâšgâh-è Varzeši-ye Fulâd-è Mobârake-ye Sepâhân''), commonly known as Sepahan S.C., are an Iranian spor ...
4–2 in aggregate, with
Mohammad Hossein Ziaei
Mohammad Hossein Ziaei ( fa, محمد حسین ضیایی) is an Iranian football manager currently coaching Naft Gachsaran in the Azadegan League.
Club career
He played as a defender for Shahin F.C. and Tractor during the 1980s and played one ...
. Since Sepahan became 5th in the Iran Pro League, that meant that Saba Battery won't be going to AFC Champions League.
Iran Pro League
The team debuted in the Iran Pro League in the
2004–05 season and made the headlines when they signed Iranian legend and
FIFA all-time greatest international goalscorer
Ali Daei
Ali Daei ( fa, ; born 21 March 1969) is an Iranian football manager and former player. A striker, he was the captain of the Iranian national team between 2000 and 2006 and played in the German Bundesliga for Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Mun ...
from
Persepolis
, native_name_lang =
, alternate_name =
, image = Gate of All Nations, Persepolis.jpg
, image_size =
, alt =
, caption = Ruins of the Gate of All Nations, Persepolis.
, map =
, map_type ...
. With the help of Daei the team was able to secure a berth for the
Asian Champions League
The AFC Champions League (abbreviated as ACL) is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's top-division football clubs. It is the most prestigious club competition ...
after winning the 2005
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (Jām-e Hazfi; ) is the Iranian football knockout cup competition, run by the Iranian Football Federation.
The Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, hence the winner of Hazfi Cup represented Iran in the Asian Club ...
, however failing to make it out of their group. In the same year Saba won the
Iranian Super Cup
The Iranian Super Cup ( Persian: سوپر جام ایران, ''Super Jam-e 'Iran'') is an Iranian association football trophy awarded to the winner of a match between the Persian Gulf Pro League's season champion and the winner of the Hazfi Cup. I ...
defeating league champions
Foolad
Foolad Khuzestan Football Club ( fa, باشگاه فوتبال فولاد خوزستان, ''Bāshgāh-e Futbāl-e Fulād-e Khuzestān'') is an Iranian football club, based in Ahwaz, Khuzestan that plays in Persian Gulf Pro League. Foolad F.C. w ...
4–0. After the departure of Ali Daei in 2006, Saba signed former
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of south and southeast Europe, located in the Balkans. Bosnia and ...
international
Alen Avdić
Alen Avdić (born 3 April 1977) is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian retired footballer who last played for FK Sarajevo.
Club career
He was active for Saba Battery FC in Iran's Premier Football League, Cercle Brugge and FC Denderleeuw in Belgian second ...
as his replacement. In 2007 Saba once again made the final of the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (Jām-e Hazfi; ) is the Iranian football knockout cup competition, run by the Iranian Football Federation.
The Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, hence the winner of Hazfi Cup represented Iran in the Asian Club ...
, this time losing 4–0 to
Sepahan
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan Sport Club ( fa, باشگاه فرهنگی ورزشی فولاد مبارکه سپاهان اصفهان, ''Bâšgâh-è Varzeši-ye Fulâd-è Mobârake-ye Sepâhân''), commonly known as Sepahan S.C., are an Iranian spor ...
on aggregate.
Move to Qom
In 2008 Saba relocated to
Qom
Qom (also spelled as "Ghom", "Ghum", or "Qum") ( fa, قم ) is the seventh largest metropolis and also the seventh largest city in Iran. Qom is the capital of Qom Province. It is located to the south of Tehran. At the 2016 census, its popul ...
because the city of
Tehran
Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the Capital city, capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is th ...
had many football teams with low attendance figures. The team was renamed Saba Qom after the move. Saba was one of the few teams of the league in 2008–09 season which did not change managers during the season and finished in 6th position at the end of the season something that happened again in the next season.
In the 2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup, Saba Qom finished 4th securing a play-off spot for the
2013 AFC Champions League
The 2013 AFC Champions League was the 32nd edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 11th under the current AFC Champions League title. The defending champions, Ulsan Hy ...
. In the play-off Saba lost to
Al Shabab on penalties and failed to qualify to the group stage.
Ali Daei Era
In July 2015 Saba announced that legendary former Iranian footballer and coach
Ali Daei
Ali Daei ( fa, ; born 21 March 1969) is an Iranian football manager and former player. A striker, he was the captain of the Iranian national team between 2000 and 2006 and played in the German Bundesliga for Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Mun ...
would lead the club for the 2015–16
Persian Gulf Pro League
The Persian Gulf Pro League ( fa, لیگ برتر خلیج فارس, ''Lig-e Bartar-e Xalij-e Fârs''), formerly known as the Iran Pro League ( fa, links=no, لیگ برتر ایران, ''Lig-e bartar-e Irân''), is the highest division of profe ...
season. Daei attracted several former national team players to the club, namely:
Hamed Lak
Hamed Lak ( fa, حامد لک, born 24 November 1990) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Persian Gulf Pro League club Mes Rafsanjan.
Club career
He is a product of Saba Qom youth academy. He was promoted to the ...
,
Ghasem Dehnavi
Ghasem Dehnavi (born March 21, 1981 in Mashhad, Iran) is a retired Iranian football player. He usually played as a defensive midfielder.
Club career
Dehnavi joined Mes Kerman in 2009 from Mes Rafsanjan. After spending three seasons at Mes, ...
,
Amir Hossein Sadeghi
Amir Hossein Sadeghi ( fa, امیرحسین صادقی, born September 6, 1981) is an Iranian former football player who played in the Iran's Premier Football League throughout his career. He played as a defender, usually as a centre-back.
Clu ...
,
Reza Haghighi
Reza Haghighi ( fa, رضا حقیقی, born 1 February 1989) is an Iranian footballer who last season played as a defender for Shahrdari Mahshahr.
Club career
Payam
Haghighi started his career with Payam. He made his debut for Payam on 10 N ...
,
Mohammad Ghazi and
Hashem Beikzadeh
Hashem Beikzadeh ( fa, هاشم بیک زاده, born January 22, 1984, in Tehran) is a former Iranian football defender and assistant coach of Baadraan Tehran F.C.
Club career
Beikzadeh is a product of the Fajr Sepasi youth academy and sinc ...
. Saba started well and were within contention of an
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League (abbreviated as ACL) is an annual continental club football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's top-division football clubs. It is the most prestigious club competition ...
in the first half of the season, but in the second half they faltered and eventually finished in seventh place.
Season-by-season
''For details on seasons, see List of
Saba Qom F.C. seasons
This is a list of seasons played by Saba Qom F.C. in Iranian and Asian football, from 2002 to the most recent completed season. It details the club's achievements in major competitions, and the top scorers for each season. Top scorers in bold were ...
''
The table below chronicles the achievements of Saba Qom in various competitions since 2002.
See also
*
Saba Qom futsal Club
*
Saba Novin Qom Football Club
References
*
{{reflist
Saba Qom
Saba Qom Football Club ( fa, باشگاه فوتبال صبای قم, ''Bashgah-e Futbal-e Sâbay-e Qâm'') was an Iranian football team based in Qom, Iran. The club was dissolved in 2018. The team is a former part of Saba Battery Club, owned by ...
Sport in Qom
Football clubs in Iran
Association football clubs established in 1974
1974 establishments in Iran
Association football clubs disestablished in 2018
2018 disestablishments in Iran