Azadegan League

Azadegan League
ليگ آزادگان
Founded 1991
Country Iran
Confederation AFC
Number of teams 18
Level on pyramid 2
Promotion to Persian Gulf Pro League
Relegation to League 2
Domestic cup(s) Hazfi Cup
Current champions Naft Masjed Soleyman (1st title)
(2017–18)
Most championships Paykan (2 titles)
TV partners IRIB
Website www.lig1.ir
2018–19 Azadegan League

The Azadegan League (Persian: ليگ آزادگان‎), also known as League 1 (Persian: لیگ یک‎), 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 the Persian Gulf Pro League was established. Each year, the top finishing teams in the Azadegan League are promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League, and the lowest finishing teams are relegated to League 2.

Since 2016, the league comprises 18 teams. The winner and the runner-up of the Azadegan League are automatically promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League. The bottom three teams in the league are relegated to League 2. In the past, the format and number of teams were changed for various times. Persepolis is the most successful club with four titles.

History

Before 1970

Before the 1970s, Iran did not have an official national football league. Most clubs participated in championships of their city or province. In 1970, the Local League was created. The league included teams from all Iran in different qualifying tournaments. In 1972, the Takht Jamshid Cup was founded as the national league and included teams from all over the country.

1979 Revolution and 1980s

Due to the Islamic Revolution and the Iran–Iraq War, the Takht Jamshid Cup was dissolved and also the lower leagues were unorganized. Consequently, the people paid very little attention football at that time. In 1989 the Qods League was created as the national football league. Esteghlal were the first national champion since PAS Tehran in 1978. After the season the Qods League was not continued.

Foundation

In 1991 the Azadegan League was formed as the top flight of Iranian football. The league was named as Azadegan League in honor of the Iranian prisoners of war who were released. Azadegan means the liberated in Persian. The league started with a format of 12 teams in the first season. In the 1992–93 Azadegan League season the league changed its format. 16 clubs participated in two groups of eight teams. PAS Tehran were the champions in both seasons.[1] Esteghlal relegated for the first time in their history in 1993. Before the start of the 1993–94 season, the league changed its format again. 14 teams participated in one group. Saipa won the Azadegan League title, sitting three points of runners-up Persepolis. Only one year later the league format was changed again. 24 clubs participated in two groups of 12 teams. Saipa defended their title in final against Esteghlal.

Prior to the start of the 1995–96 Azadegan League season, the league changed its format again.[2] 16 teams participated in one group until 1999. Persepolis were the champions in 1995–96,[3] 1996–97[4] and 1998–99,[5] while Esteghlal became the champion in the 1997–98 season.[6] In 1999 the league was reduced to 14 teams. Persepolis won the 1999–2000 Azadegan League season, sitting seven points clear of rival Esteghlal.[7] The 2000–01 season was the last year of the Azadegan League as the top-level football league of Iran. Esteghlal became the champion in a league of 12 teams.[8]

Second division

After the Iran Pro League was established as the professional football league of Iran, Azadegan League was declared as the second-highest professional league in the Iranian football league system. Esteghlal Ahvaz won the 2001–02 Azadegan League season and promoted to Iran Pro League. Also Sanat Naft Abadan promoted to the Iran Pro League. 22 clubs participated in two groups of 11 teams including a final stage for the best four teams. The format was changed into a classic league of 16 teams for the next two seasons. Shamoushak Noshahr became the champion in 2002–03, while Saba Battery won the league title in the 2003–04 season.

Once more the league changed their format in 2004. Between the 2004–05 and 2007–08 Azadegan League season, 24 clubs played in two groups of 12 teams. After Shahid Ghandi winning the league in 2004–05, Mes Kerman became the champion in the 2005–06 season. Sanat Naft Abadan, the third ranked team in 2004–05, criticized the Iranian Football Federation due to incidents in the final stage. In the 2006–07 Azadegan League season, Pegah and Shirin Faraz became the champions of the league, while Tractor Sazi failed once again for promotion. Also Sanat Naft Abadan promoted automatically to the Persian Gulf Cup because of the 2004–05 Azadegan League promotion controversy.

After Payam Mashhad winning the title in the 2007–08 Azadegan League season, the number of teams was increased to 28 prior to the start of the 2008–09 season. They played in two groups of 14 teams until 2013. East Azerbaijan's famous club Tractor Sazi returned finally back to the Persian Gulf Cup by winning the 2008–09 season alongside Steel Azin. Shahrdari Tabriz and Naft Tehran were the champions in the 2009–10 season, before Damash winning the league in 2010–11. Paykan won the league title 2011–12, while Gostaresh and Esteghlal Khuzestan winning the league one year later. Although Shahrdari Tabriz could win their group, they had to relegate due to match fixing.

The number of teams were reduced in the next two seasons. 26 clubs participated in 2013–14, while 24 teams played in the 2014–15 season. Padideh won the title in 2013–14 after a victory over Naft Masjed Soleyman in the league final. Once season later, Foolad Novin could win the league after they beat Siah Jamegan in final. Due the fact that Foolad Novin is the reserve team of Foolad Khuzestan, they could not promote to the Persian Gulf Pro League. Instead of Foolad Novin, Esteghlal Ahvaz was allowed to promote.

Since 2015

Pars Jonoubi Jam champions 2016–17

Prior to the start of the 2015–16 Azadegan League season, they returned to a classic league format. 20 clubs participated in 2015–16, before the number of teams were reduced to 18 one season later. Paykan won the 2015–16 season, sitting seven points clear of Machine Sazi. In 2017, Pars Jonoubi Jam promoted sensationally to the Persian Gulf Pro League after winning the 2016–17 Azadegan League. Also Sepidrood returned to the highest Iranian league after 25 years.

Like in the 2016–17 season, Nassaj was also involved in a dramatic season finish in the 2017–18 Azadegan League. At the last matchday five teams had the chance to promoted. Naft Masjed Soleyman drew 2–2 with Mes Rafsanjan and won the league, while Nassaji defeated Rah Ahan 6–0 in Tehran’s Takhti Stadium and became runners-up with 64 points thanks to a better goal difference than Khooneh be Khooneh.[9]

Format

In the past, the format and number of teams were changed for various times. Since 2016, the league comprises 18 teams. Over the course of a season, which runs annually from July to the following May, each team plays twice against the others in the league, once at home and once away, resulting in each team competing in 34 games in total. Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the league table by points gained, then goal difference, then goals scored and then their head-to-head record for that season.

At the end of the season, the top two teams are promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League and the bottom three teams are relegated to League 2. Furthermore, all teams in the Azadegan League can participate in the Hazfi Cup.

Number of teams Period
12 1991–92, 2000–01
16 (two groups) 1992–93
14 1993–94, 1999–00
24 (two groups) 1994–95, 2004–05 until 2007–08, 2014–15
16 1995–96 until 1998–99, 2002–03 until 2003–04
22 (two groups) 2001–02
28 (two groups) 2008–09 until 2012–13
26 (two groups) 2013–14
20 2015–16
18 since 2016–17

Clubs

Team Location Stadium Capacity
Aluminium Arak Arak Imam Khomeini 15,000
Baadraan Tehran Tehran Kargaran 5,000
Bargh Jadid Shiraz Shiraz Hafezieh 15,000
Fajr Sepasi Shiraz Hafezieh 15,000
Gol Gohar Sirjan Gol Gohar Sport Complex 3,200
Iranjavan Bushehr Shahid Beheshti 15,000
Khooneh be Khooneh Babol Haft-e Tir 6,000
Malavan Bandar-e Anzali Takhti Anzali 8,000
Machine Sazi Tabriz Bagh Shomal 20,000
Mes Kerman Kerman Shahid Bahonar 15,430
Mes Rafsanjan Rafsanjan Shohadaye Noushabad 5,000
Naft Masjed Soleyman Masjed Soleyman Behnam Mohammadi 8,000
Nassaji Mazandaran Qaem Shahr Vatani 15,000
Oxin Alborz Karaj Enghelab 15,000
Rah Ahan Tehran Ekbatan 12,000
Saba Qom Qom Yadegar-e Emam Qom 10,610
Shahrdari Mahshahr Bandar-e Mahshahr Shohada Mahshahr 3,000
Shahrdari Tabriz Tabriz Sahand 66,833

Champions

Performance in the Azadegan League by club
Team Champions Runners-up
Persepolis 4 (1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–00) 3 (1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01)
Esteghlal 2 (1997–98, 2000–01) 4 (1991–92, 1994–95, 1998–99, 1999–00)
PAS Tehran 2 (1991–92, 1992–93) 1 (1997–98)
Paykan 2 (2011–12, 2015–16) 1 (2005–06)
Saipa 2 (1993–94, 1994–95) —
Pegah 1 (2006–07) 1 (2002–03)
Tractor Sazi 1 (2008–09) 1 (2006–07)
Naft Masjed Soleyman 1 (2017–18) 1 (2013–14)
Esteghlal Ahvaz 1 (2001–02) —
Padideh 1 (2013–14) —
Shamoushak Noshahr 1 (2002–03) —
Saba Qom1 1 (2003–04) —
Tarbiat Yazd2 1 (2004–05) —
Mes Kerman 1 (2005–06) —
Rahian Kermanshah3 1 (2006–07) —
Payam Mashhad 1 (2007–08) —
Steel Azin4 1 (2008–09) —
Naft Tehran 1 (2009–10) —
Shahrdari Tabriz 1 (2009–10) —
Damash 1 (2010–11) —
Esteghlal Khuzestan 1 (2012–13) —
Gostaresh Foulad 1 (2012–13) —
Foolad Novin 1 (2014–15) —
Pars Jonoubi Jam 1 (2016–17) —
Bahman — 2 (1995–96, 1996–97)
Sanat Naft — 2 (2001–02, 2009–10)
Malavan — 1 (2003–04)
Rah Ahan — 1 (2004–05)
Sepahan Novin — 1 (2007–08)
Shahin Bushehr — 1 (2008–09)
Aluminium Hormozgan — 1 (2011–12)
Mes Sarcheshmeh — 1 (2010–11)
PAS Hamedan — 1 (2012–13)
Siah Jamegan — 1 (2014–15)
Machine Sazi — 1 (2015–16)
Sepidrood — 1 (2016–17)
Nassaji Mazandaran — 1 (2017–18)

Notes:
1 Saba Qom was formerly known as Saba Battery
2 Tarbiat Yazd was formerly known as Shahid Ghandi
3 Rahian Kermanshah was formerly known as Shirin Faraz
4 Steel Azin was formerly known as Ekbatan

All-time table

Pos. Club Seasons Matches Win Draw Loss GF GA GD Pts Champions Runners-up Promoted Relegated Best Rank
1Sanat Naft 17417154139124478427+51601—2422nd
2Nassaji Mazandaran1 18460153145162477514−37601———23rd
3Tractor Sazi 16392143131118448414+3456011111st
4Machine Sazi 15392121124147415500−85487—1132nd
5Persepolis 92221227129368167+20143743——1st
6Aluminium Arak2 13338106109123359388−29427———24th
7Payam Mashhad3 1230510210697353350+34091—131st
8Esteghlal 92241087739328194+13440124—11st
9PAS Tehran 102509410650304227+7738821——1st
10Esteghlal Ahvaz 1333090109131352429−773791—231st
11Mes Rafsanjan 10269949580296244+52377————2nd
12Gol Gohar 10269929582305276+29371————3rd
13Sepahan 9236877970250230+20340———13rd
14Iranjavan 10266819491284298−14337———12nd
15Tarbiat Yazd4 9226847468267225+423261—111st
16Niroye Zamini 112668183102251287−36326———33rd
17Malavan 9238808573232208+24325—1122nd
18Mes Kerman 8218807662237194+433161—1—1st
19Bargh Shiraz 112767590111245312−67315———23rd
20Fajr Sepasi 8226777871238202+36309——1—2nd
22Shahrdari Tabriz5 9231828366260216+442821—141st
29Naft Masjed Soleyman 6174586848202182+20242—11—2nd
38Rah Ahan 5142464452150166−16182—11—2nd
56Khooneh be Khooneh 2722927168667+19114————5th
58Saba Qom6 2602920118653+331071—1—1st
80Baadraan Tehran 134141463421+1356————6th
83Oxin Alborz 1341310113929+1049————7th
110Bargh Jadid Shiraz ————————data-sort-value="" style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:center" class="table-na" | ——————
111Shahrdari Mahshahr ————————data-sort-value="" style="vertical-align:middle; text-align:center" class="table-na" | ——————
2017–18 Persian Gulf Pro League
2017–18 Azadegan League
Dissolved

Notes:
Only league matches, Play-offs are not included in the all-time table
1 Nassaji Mazandaran was deducted three points in the 2012–13 season
2 Aluminium Arak was formerly known as PAS Arak, Shensa Arak, Hamyari Arak and Shahrdari Arak
3 Payam Mashhad was deducted three points in the 2010–11 season
4 Tarbiat Yazd was formerly known as Shahid Ghandi
5 Shahrdari Tabriz was deducted all 47 points in the 2012–13 season
6 Saba Qom was formerly known as Saba Battery

Attendances

Average league attendances

Season Average Highest attended club Club average Lowest attended club Club average
2008–09 3,075 Tractor Sazi 9,385 Niroye Zamini 319
2009–10 2,667 Nassaji Mazandaran 11,833 Foolad Novin 192
2010–11 2,733 Nassaji Mazandaran 12,769 Sanati Kaveh 188
2011–12 2,350 Naft Masjed Soleyman 9,091 Sanati Kaveh 200
2015–16 2,539 Nassaji Mazandaran 8,931 Parseh Tehran 120
2016–17 2,650 Nassaji Mazandaran 10,333 Rah Ahan 188
2017–18 2,287 Nassaji Mazandaran 12,941 Machine Sazi 247

Notes:
Matches with spectator bans are not included in average attendances

Highest attended season matches

Season Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Week Stadium
2008–09Tractor Sazi2–0Aluminium Hormozgan20,0008 June 200926Sahand
2009–10Nassaji4–1Damash15,00013 November 20096Vatani
2010–11Gostaresh1–0Aboumoslem30,0009 May 201126Sahand
2011–12Nassaji0–0Naft MIS15,0005 April 201224Vatani
2015–16Machine Sazi3–0Mes Rafsanjan15,50010 May 201637Sahand
2016–17Sepidrood3–2Nassaji20,0001 May 201734Dr. Azodi
2017–18Rah Ahan0–6Nassaji23,00029 April 201834Takhti Tehran

Statistics

Top scorers

SeasonPlayerClubGoals
2005–06 Iran Hossein AbdiSanaye Arak14
2006–07 Iran Farhad KheirkhahSorkhpooshan11
2007–08 Iran Mohammad ParvinSteel Azin15
2008–09 Iran Abbas PorkhosravaniGol Gohar17
2009–10 Iran Ali KarimiSh. Tabriz17
2010–11 Iran Afshin ChavoshiDamash13
Iran Mostafa ShojaeiFoolad Natanz13
Iran Moslem FiroozabadiGol Gohar13
2011–12 Iran Bahman TahmasebiAluminum13
2012–13 Iran Mohammad AbbaszadehNassaji17
2013–14 Iran Mokhtar JomehzadehGol Gohar15
2014–15 Iran Issa AlekasirAluminum11
2015–16 Iran Hamid KazemiNassaji16
2016–17 Iran Mohammad AbbaszadehNassaji24
2017–18 Iran Farshid PadashShahrdari Mahshahr17
Iran Shahin MajidiFajr Sepasi17

See also

References

  1. ↑ "List of Iranian football champions". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  2. ↑ "1995–96 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  3. ↑ "1995–96 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  4. ↑ "1996–97 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  5. ↑ "1998–99 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  6. ↑ "1997–98 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  7. ↑ "1999–2000 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  8. ↑ "2000–01 Azadegan League season". rsssf.com. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  9. ↑ http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/423128/Naft-Masjed-Soleyman-Nassaji-Mazandaran-win-promotion-to-IPL
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