Zob Ahan Esfahan Football Club (, ''Bâšgâh-e Futbâl-e Zobâhan-e Esfahân'') is an Iranian
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
club based in
Fuladshahr
Fuladshahr () is a city in, and the capital of, Fuladshahr District of Lenjan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is also the administrative center for Khorramrud Rural District.
Demographics Population
At the time of the 2006 National Cen ...
,
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
. It competes in the
Persian Gulf Pro League
The Persian Gulf Pro League (, ''Lig-e Bartar-e Xalij-e Fârs''), formerly known as the Iran Premier League (, ''Lig-e bartar-e Irân''), is a professional association football league in Iran and the highest level of the Iranian football league s ...
.
The team is sponsored by the ''Isfahan Steel Company'', which also goes by the name
Zob Ahan. The club's main rival is fellow Isfahani team
Sepahan
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan Sport Club (, ''Bâšgâh-e Farhangi-Varzeši-ye Fulâd-e Mobârake-ye Sepâhân''), commonly known as Sepahan, is an Iranian sports club based in Isfahan. It is best known for their football section that play in the P ...
, which is sponsored by the rival steel mill
Mobarakeh Steel Company
Mobarakeh Steel Company (MSC, , Foolad Mobarakeh) is a private Iranian steel company, located 65 km south west of Esfahan, near the city of Mobarakeh, Esfahan Province, Iran. It is the largest steel maker of MENA (Middle East & Northern Af ...
.
Zob Ahan club also has a
basketball team
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...
, sponsored by the same
Isfahan Steel Company
Esfahan Steel Company (, ''Sherkat-e Zob Āhan-e Esfahān''), formerly known as Esfahan Aryamehr Steel Company () prior to 1979 Revolution, opened in late 1960s, based close to the cities of Fooladshahr and Zarrinshahr, Esfahan Province. It is ...
, which is one of the teams in the
Iranian Super League.
In the
2010 AFC Champions League
The 2010 AFC Champions League was the 29th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 8th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final was held at the National ...
. Zob Ahan finished as runners-up losing 3–1 to South Korean club
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Football Club () is a South Korean professional football club based in Seongnam that competes in the K League 2, the second tier of South Korean football. It is one of the most successful clubs in South Korea and the Asian Football Conf ...
in the final.
Zob Ahan has won the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
on four occasions (2002–03, 2008–09, 2014–15 and 2015–16) and have finished as runners-up one time (2000–01). The club has also finished as
League
League or The League may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Leagues'' (band), an American rock band
* ''The League'', an American sitcom broadcast on FX and FXX about fantasy football
* ''League of Legends'', a 2009 multiplayer online battle a ...
runners-up three times (2004–05, 2008–09 and 2009–10) and has won the
Iranian Super Cup
The Iranian Super Cup (Persian language, 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 ...
once (2016).
Club history
Early years (1969–1980)
Mohammad Ali Taghizadeh Farahmand established the club in 1969. They entered the
Takht Jamshid Cup
The Takht Jamshid Cup (, Jâm-e Taxt-e Jamšid) was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1974 to 1979. The league was named after ''Takht-e Jamshid'', the Iranian name for the ancient city known as Persepolis.
Hi ...
in 1973 and end season in the 10th place. They promoted to the quarterfinals of the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
in 1976. Their best results in Takht Jamshid Cup was earned in 1977–78 in the 8th place.
Azadegan League (1980–2001)
The team has participated in the highest division of the Iranian league system since 1973, except for the 1995 season when they played in the 2nd division. After
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution (, ), also known as the 1979 Revolution, or the Islamic Revolution of 1979 (, ) was a series of events that culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979. The revolution led to the replacement of the Impe ...
in 1979, Takht Jamshid Cup was suspended due to
Iran–Iraq War
The Iran–Iraq War, also known as the First Gulf War, was an armed conflict between Iran and Iraq that lasted from September 1980 to August 1988. Active hostilities began with the Iraqi invasion of Iran and lasted for nearly eight years, unti ...
. After the end of the war, league began again in the title of
Azadegan League
The Azadegan League (, ''Lig-e Âzâdegân''), also known as League 1 (, ''Lig-e Yek''), is the second highest division of professional football in Iran. It was the top-level football league in Iran from its foundation in 1991 until 2001, when t ...
. They were once again promoted to the 1st division the year after.
PGPL (2001–present)
Zob Ahan currently play in the
IPL starting from 2001. The club's first honor, remains the winning of the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
in 2003, after defeating the
Shiraz
Shiraz (; ) is the List of largest cities of Iran, fifth-most-populous city of Iran and the capital of Fars province, which has been historically known as Pars (Sasanian province), Pars () and Persis. As of the 2016 national census, the popu ...
-based team
Moghavemat Sepasi in the finals.
This feat was repeated in the
2008–09 Hazfi Cup
The Hazfi Cup 2008–09 was the 22nd staging of Iran's football knockout competition. Esteghlal were the defending champions.
The cup winner, Zob Ahan Isfahan, were guaranteed a place in the 2010 AFC Champions League.
First round
Matches wer ...
, when the club beat
Rah Ahan to re-claim the title after 6 years.
The club made its first appearance in the
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) is an annual continental club association football, football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's List of top-division football clubs i ...
in 2004, as the winners of the 2003
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
, but were eliminated in the group stages.
Having missed out on winning their first-ever domestic league title in the
2008–09 season, Zobahan were one of the title contenders once again in the
2009–10 season. However, at the end, they had to settle for second place once again
after finishing six points behind their city rivals
Sepahan
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan Sport Club (, ''Bâšgâh-e Farhangi-Varzeši-ye Fulâd-e Mobârake-ye Sepâhân''), commonly known as Sepahan, is an Iranian sports club based in Isfahan. It is best known for their football section that play in the P ...
. They also lost their grip on the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
after a shock 0–2 loss to a second-division side
Gostaresh Foulad in the semi-finals.
2010 AFC Champion League
In the
2010 AFC Champions League
The 2010 AFC Champions League was the 29th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 8th under the current AFC Champions League title. The final was held at the National ...
Zob Ahan finished first on the group stage that included
FC Bunyodkor
Football Club Bunyodkor () is an Uzbek professional football club based in Tashkent that competes in the Uzbekistan Super League.
Bunyodkor, a relatively unknown club at the time, made international headlines when it claimed to be close to sig ...
,
Al-Wahda and
Al-Ittihad Al-Ittihad may refer to:
Sports Football Men Teams
* Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
* Al Ittihad SCSC (Tripoli), Tripoli, Libya
* Al Ittihad Gheryan, Gharyan, Libya
* Al Ittihad Misurata SC, Misurata, Libya
* Al Ittihad SC ...
. By finishing first they qualified for the first time for the Knockout stages. On the Round of 16 they draw country neighbours
Mes Kerman
Mes Kerman Football Club (, ''Bashgah-e Futbal-e Sân't-e Mes Kârman'') is an Iranian professional association football, football team based in Kerman, Iran.
They were promoted to Iran's top league, the Iran Pro League, in the 2005–06 season. ...
winning 1–0. The club then qualified to the quarter-finals and were drawn with title holders
Pohang Steelers
The Pohang Steelers (Hangul: 포항 스틸러스) are a South Korean professional Association football, football club based in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province that compete in the K League 1, the top flight of Football in South Korea, South Ko ...
, Zob Ahan won 2–1 at home and draw 1–1 on Korea, knocking-out the title holders. Zob Ahan played against Saudi powerhouse
Al Hilal which they won 1–0 at home, and won 1–0 on Saudi Arabia leading the club to an
Asian Champions League
The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) 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 cl ...
final where they face
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Football Club () is a South Korean professional football club based in Seongnam that competes in the K League 2, the second tier of South Korean football. It is one of the most successful clubs in South Korea and the Asian Football Conf ...
. On 13 November, in the final Zob Ahan lost 1–3 to
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Seongnam Football Club () is a South Korean professional football club based in Seongnam that competes in the K League 2, the second tier of South Korean football. It is one of the most successful clubs in South Korea and the Asian Football Conf ...
. Zob Ahan couldn't be the champions on their 2nd
Asian Champions League
The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) 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 cl ...
participation always being under-dogs. The following year the club made it to the quarter-finals but lost to Korean club
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
The Suwon Samsung Bluewings () are a South Korean Association football, football club based in Suwon that competes in the K League 2, the second tier of South Korean football. Founded in December 1995, they have won the K League on four occas ...
.
Dark years
After the 2011 Champions League, a 6th place league finish in 2012 meant that the club failed to retain its spot in the Champions League. The following year, the club finished 14th in the league, narrowly avoiding relegation through a play-off. Fan attendance started to dip and Zob Ahan had another sub par year in the
2013–14 Iran Pro League season, finishing 13th, changing three managers during the course of the season and again narrowly avoiding relegation.
Resurrection under Golmohammadi and Hosseini

In the summer of 2014 Zob Ahan announced
Yahya Golmohammadi
Yahya Golmohammadi (; born 19 March 1971) is an Iranian association football, football coach and a former player who coaches Persian Gulf Pro League club Foolad F.C., Foolad. He is one of only eleven Iranians to score in a FIFA World Cup, World ...
as the club's new manager. After a poor start to the season, Zob Ahan when on a six match unbeaten run which placed them 6th in week 23. On 5 December 2015 Zob Ahan defeated
Persepolis
Persepolis (; ; ) was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (). It is situated in the plains of Marvdasht, encircled by the southern Zagros mountains, Fars province of Iran. It is one of the key Iranian cultural heritage sites and ...
2–1 in the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
semi-final to advance to the final for the fourth time in club history. On 15 May 2015 after a 0–0 draw against
Padideh, Zob Ahan finished fourth and returned to the
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) is an annual continental club association football, football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's List of top-division football clubs i ...
after five years. Zob Ahan also won their third
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
title after defeating
Naft Tehran
Naft Tehran Football Club (, ''Bashgah-e Futbal-e Nuft Teheran'') was an Iranian association football, football club based in Tehran, Iran. They competed in the Persian Gulf Pro League. They were owned by the National Iranian Oil Company previousl ...
3–1 in the final.
On 23 February 2016 Zob Ahan won its first match
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) is an annual continental club association football, football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's List of top-division football clubs i ...
since 2011, defeating
Lekhwiya
Al-Duhail Sports Club (), formerly Lekhwiya SC, is a Qatari sports club, best known for its football team, which plays in the Qatar Stars League. The club is based in the Duhail district in the city of Doha and plays its home games at Abdull ...
of Qatar 1–0. Zob Ahan qualified for the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League on 20 April 2016 after defeating Saudi club
Al Nassr
Al-Nassr Football Club () is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The club competes in the Saudi Pro League, the top tier of the Saudi football league system. Al-Nassr is one of only three clubs to have participated ...
3–0 in match day 5. However, Zob Ahan were defeated 3–1 on aggregate by Emirati club
Al Ain
Al Ain () is a city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the seat of the administrative division of the Al Ain Region. The city is Oman–United Arab Emirates border, bordered to the east by the Omani town of Al-Buraimi. Al A ...
in the Round of 16. Zob Ahan once again qualified for the final of the 2016
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
to defend their crown against
Esteghlal. Zob Ahan defeated Esteghlal in penalties and won the Hazfi Cup for the fourth time in the club's history. Zob Ahan won the
Iranian Super Cup
The Iranian Super Cup (Persian language, 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 ...
after beating
Esteghlal Khuzestan
Esteghlal Khuzestan Football Club (, ''Bašgâh-e Futbâl-e Esteqlâl-e Xuzestân''), commonly known as Esteghlal Khuzestan, is an Iranian Football (soccer), football club based in Ahvaz, Iran. The club currently competes in the Persian Gulf Pr ...
4–2 in extra time. This was the first trophy that Zob Ahan won in
Foolad Shahr Stadium
Fuladshahr Stadium (Persian: ورزشگاه فولادشهر, ''Varzeshgāh-e Fulādshahr'') is a football stadium in Fuladshahr, Iran. It is the home stadium of Zob Ahan, and was opened in 1998. The stadium is listed as having a capacity of 20, ...
.
In the beginning of the 2016–17, after poor results, Golmohammadi was fired as manager of the team and was replaced by Assistant coach
Mojtaba Hosseini. Hosseini led Zob Ahan to the semi-finals of the
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
, where they lost to
Tractor
A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a Trailer (vehicle), trailer or machinery such as that used in agriculture, mining or constructio ...
.
Colours and crest
One of Zob Ahan's nicknames is ''Sabzpoushan'' ("The Greens", ), stemming from their traditional kit, which is predominantly green. From the foundation of the club, the common home kit includes a green shirt, black or white shorts, and white or yellow socks. White and black colours are also seen in the kit. The away kit of the club is commonly with a white background.
Stadium and facilities
The home stadium of the club is
Foolad Shahr Stadium
Fuladshahr Stadium (Persian: ورزشگاه فولادشهر, ''Varzeshgāh-e Fulādshahr'') is a football stadium in Fuladshahr, Iran. It is the home stadium of Zob Ahan, and was opened in 1998. The stadium is listed as having a capacity of 20, ...
located in
Fooladshahr
Fuladshahr () is a city in, and the capital of, Fuladshahr District of Lenjan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is also the administrative center for Khorramrud Rural District.
Demographics Population
At the time of the 2006 National Cen ...
,
Isfahan
Isfahan or Esfahan ( ) is a city in the Central District (Isfahan County), Central District of Isfahan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is the capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is located south of Tehran. The city ...
. The stadium had 20,000 capacity but was renovated to hold about 30,000 people in 2011. The stadium was built in 1998.
Rivalries
Zob Ahan is part of the Esfahan derby or Naghsh-e-Jahan derby. The Esfahan derby goes back to the 1970s, when Zob Ahan and
Sepahan
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan Sport Club (, ''Bâšgâh-e Farhangi-Varzeši-ye Fulâd-e Mobârake-ye Sepâhân''), commonly known as Sepahan, is an Iranian sports club based in Isfahan. It is best known for their football section that play in the P ...
faced each other in
Takht Jamshid Cup
The Takht Jamshid Cup (, Jâm-e Taxt-e Jamšid) was a national football league based in Iran which lasted from 1974 to 1979. The league was named after ''Takht-e Jamshid'', the Iranian name for the ancient city known as Persepolis.
Hi ...
seasons (
1974/75,
1975/76,
1976/77,
1977/78). Their rivalry resumed in the 1990s when they faced each other in
Azadegan League
The Azadegan League (, ''Lig-e Âzâdegân''), also known as League 1 (, ''Lig-e Yek''), is the second highest division of professional football in Iran. It was the top-level football league in Iran from its foundation in 1991 until 2001, when t ...
seasons (
1993/94,
1996/97,
1997/98) and from then on the two met each other twice a year.
Players
First-team squad
Out on loan
Retired numbers
On 18 June 2018, the club decided to retire the squad number 30 in memory of Mehdi Rajabzadeh.
Notable players
''This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.''
Famous Players
''For notable players see
List of Zob Ahan F.C. players.''
''For details on former players see
:Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C. players.''
Players on international cups
Club captains
Club officials
IPL managers
''Only
IPL matches are counted.''
Last updated 10 August 2021.
Current coaching staff
Source:
Chairpersons
Season-by-season
''For details on seasons, see
List of Zob Ahan F.C. seasons''
The table below chronicles the achievements of Zob Ahan since 1973.
:
Individual records
Lists of the players with the most caps and top goalscorers for the club, (players in bold signifies current Zob Ahan player). This list includes goals from Iran Premier League.
Most appearances
Top Goalscorers
Top Scorers by season
Asian record
Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League
Club honours
Domestic
*
1st Division/
Persian Gulf Pro League
The Persian Gulf Pro League (, ''Lig-e Bartar-e Xalij-e Fârs''), formerly known as the Iran Premier League (, ''Lig-e bartar-e Irân''), is a professional association football league in Iran and the highest level of the Iranian football league s ...
**Runners-up (4):
2004–05,
2008–09,
2009–10,
2017–18
*
Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup (, ) formerly known as Pahlavi Cup () is an Iranian knockout football competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Iranian Football League, Iranian football league was not held during the 1980s, h ...
**Winners (4):
2002–03,
2008–09,
2014–15,
2015–16
**Runners-up (1):
2000–01
*
Super Cup
A super cup is a competition, in association football, basketball, handball, volleyball and rugby union which often forms the 'curtain raiser' to a season, and typically involves only two teams who have qualified through success in other competi ...
**Winners (1):
2016
2016 was designated as:
* International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.
* International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the Internationa ...
Continental
*
AFC Champions League Elite
The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) is an annual continental club association football, football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's List of top-division football clubs i ...
**Runners-up (1):
2010
The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...
Ownership
The owner of the Zob Ahan FC is
Isfahan Steel Company
Esfahan Steel Company (, ''Sherkat-e Zob Āhan-e Esfahān''), formerly known as Esfahan Aryamehr Steel Company () prior to 1979 Revolution, opened in late 1960s, based close to the cities of Fooladshahr and Zarrinshahr, Esfahan Province. It is ...
. Company is the first Iranian steel maker opened in late 1960, based close to the cities of
Fooladshahr
Fuladshahr () is a city in, and the capital of, Fuladshahr District of Lenjan County, Isfahan province, Iran. It is also the administrative center for Khorramrud Rural District.
Demographics Population
At the time of the 2006 National Cen ...
and
Zarrinshahr
Zarrinshahr () is a city in the Central District of Lenjan County, Isfahan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. It is in the southwest of the county.
Etymology
Until the 1970s Zarrinshahr was known as Riz ...
,
Isfahan Province.
Zob Ahan-e Esfahan and Iran's first car manufacturer, Iran National (renamed Iran Khodro after the
Iranian revolution
The Iranian Revolution (, ), also known as the 1979 Revolution, or the Islamic Revolution of 1979 (, ) was a series of events that culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979. The revolution led to the replacement of the Impe ...
) were parts of a move from mainly agriculture-based economy toward industrialization by the pre-revolutionary government of
Amir Abbas Hoveida
Amir-Abbas Hoveyda (; 18 February 1919 – 7 April 1979) was an Iranian economist and politician who served as Prime Minister of Iran from 27 January 1965 to 7 August 1977. He was the longest serving prime minister in Iran's history. He also ...
.
References
External links
*
Player statistics(archived 12 February 2010)
{{Persian Gulf Pro League
Football clubs in Iran
Association football clubs established in 1969
1969 establishments in Iran
Sport in Isfahan province