# Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C.

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Association football club in Isfahan, Iran

Football club

Zob Ahan Full name Zob Ahan Esfahan Football Club Nickname Gandos (The Marsh Crocodiles) Short name Zob Ahan Founded 6 July 1969; 56 years ago (1969-07-06) Ground Foolad Shahr Stadium Capacity 20,000[1] Owner Esfahan Steel Company Chairman Javad Mohammadi Head Coach Jalal Omidian League Persian Gulf Pro League 2024–25 Persian Gulf Pro League, 6th Website zobahanclub.com Home colours Away colours Current season

**Zob Ahan Esfahan Football Club** ([Persian](/source/Persian_language): باشگاه فرهنگى ورزشى ذوب‌آهن اصفهان, *Bâšgâh-e Futbâl-e Zobâhan-e Esfahân*) is an Iranian [football](/source/Association_football) club based in [Fuladshahr](/source/Fuladshahr), [Iran](/source/Iran). It competes in the [Persian Gulf Pro League](/source/Persian_Gulf_Pro_League). The team is sponsored by the *Isfahan Steel Company*, which also goes by the name [Zob Ahan](/source/Esfahan_Steel_Company). The club's main rival is fellow Isfahani team [Sepahan](/source/Sepahan), which is sponsored by the rival steel mill [Mobarakeh Steel Company](/source/Mobarakeh_Steel_Company).

Zob Ahan club also has a [basketball team](/source/Zob_Ahan_Esfahan_BC), sponsored by the same [Isfahan Steel Company](/source/Isfahan_Steel_Company), which is one of the teams in the [Iranian Super League](/source/Iranian_Super_League_(Basketball)).

In the [2010 AFC Champions League](/source/2010_AFC_Champions_League). Zob Ahan finished as runners-up losing 3–1 to South Korean club [Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma](/source/Seongnam_Ilhwa_Chunma) in the final.

Zob Ahan has won the [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup) 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](/source/Persian_Gulf_Pro_League) runners-up three times (2004–05, 2008–09 and 2009–10) and has won the [Iranian Super Cup](/source/Iranian_Super_Cup) once (2016).

## Club history

### Early years (1969–1980)

Mohammad Ali Taghizadeh Farahmand established the club in 1969. They entered the [Takht Jamshid Cup](/source/Takht_Jamshid_Cup) in 1973 and end season in the 10th place. They promoted to the quarterfinals of the [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup) 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](/source/Iranian_Revolution) in 1979, Takht Jamshid Cup was suspended due to [Iran–Iraq War](/source/Iran%E2%80%93Iraq_War). After the end of the war, league began again in the title of [Azadegan League](/source/Azadegan_League). They were once again promoted to the 1st division the year after.

### PGPL (2001–present)

Zob Ahan currently play in the [IPL](/source/Iran's_Premier_League_football) starting from 2001. The club's first honor, remains the winning of the [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup) in 2003, after defeating the [Shiraz](/source/Shiraz)-based team [Moghavemat Sepasi](/source/Moghavemat_Sepasi_F.C.) in the finals.[2] This feat was repeated in the [2008–09 Hazfi Cup](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Hazfi_Cup), when the club beat [Rah Ahan](/source/Rah_Ahan_F.C.) to re-claim the title after 6 years.[2] The club made its first appearance in the [AFC Champions League](/source/AFC_Champions_League) in 2004, as the winners of the 2003 [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup), but were eliminated in the group stages.

Having missed out on winning their first-ever domestic league title in the [2008–09 season](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_Persian_Gulf_Cup), Zobahan were one of the title contenders once again in the [2009–10 season](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_Persian_Gulf_Cup). However, at the end, they had to settle for second place once again after finishing six points behind their city rivals [Sepahan](/source/Sepahan_F.C.). They also lost their grip on the [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup) after a shock 0–2 loss to a second-division side [Gostaresh Foulad](/source/Gostaresh_Foolad_F.C.) in the semi-finals.[3]

#### 2010 AFC Champion League

In the [2010 AFC Champions League](/source/2010_AFC_Champions_League) Zob Ahan finished first on the group stage that included [FC Bunyodkor](/source/FC_Bunyodkor), [Al-Wahda](/source/Al-Wahda_FC_(Abu_Dhabi)) and [Al-Ittihad](/source/Al-Ittihad_(Jeddah)). By finishing first they qualified for the first time for the Knockout stages. On the Round of 16 they draw country neighbours [Mes Kerman](/source/Mes_Kerman_F.C.) winning 1–0. The club then qualified to the quarter-finals and were drawn with title holders [Pohang Steelers](/source/Pohang_Steelers), 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](/source/Al-Hilal_FC) which they won 1–0 at home, and won 1–0 on Saudi Arabia leading the club to an [Asian Champions League](/source/Asian_Champions_League) final where they face [Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma](/source/Seongnam_Ilhwa_Chunma). On 13 November, in the final Zob Ahan lost 1–3 to [Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma](/source/Seongnam_Ilhwa_Chunma). Zob Ahan couldn't be the champions on their 2nd [Asian Champions League](/source/Asian_Champions_League) participation always being under-dogs. The following year the club made it to the quarter-finals but lost to Korean club [Suwon Samsung Bluewings](/source/Suwon_Samsung_Bluewings).

#### 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](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_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

Zob Ahan players celebrating [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup) [title](/source/2015_Hazfi_Cup_Final) in 2015

In the summer of 2014 Zob Ahan announced [Yahya Golmohammadi](/source/Yahya_Golmohammadi) 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](/source/Persepolis_F.C.) 2–1 in the [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup) 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](/source/Padideh_F.C.), Zob Ahan finished fourth and returned to the [AFC Champions League](/source/AFC_Champions_League) after five years. Zob Ahan also won their third [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup) title after defeating [Naft Tehran](/source/Naft_Tehran_F.C.) 3–1 in the final.

On 23 February 2016 Zob Ahan won its first match [AFC Champions League](/source/AFC_Champions_League) since 2011, defeating [Lekhwiya](/source/Lekhwiya_SC) 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](/source/Al-Nassr_FC) 3–0 in match day 5. However, Zob Ahan were defeated 3–1 on aggregate by Emirati club [Al Ain](/source/Al_Ain_FC) in the Round of 16. Zob Ahan once again qualified for the final of the 2016 [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup) to defend their crown against [Esteghlal](/source/Esteghlal_F.C.). 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](/source/Iranian_Super_Cup) after beating [Esteghlal Khuzestan](/source/Esteghlal_Khuzestan_F.C.) 4–2 in extra time. This was the first trophy that Zob Ahan won in [Foolad Shahr Stadium](/source/Foolad_Shahr_Stadium).

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](/source/Mojtaba_Hosseini). Hosseini led Zob Ahan to the semi-finals of the [Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup), where they lost to [Tractor](/source/Tractor_S.C.).

## Colours and crest

One of Zob Ahan's nicknames is *Sabzpoushan* ("The Greens", [Persian](/source/Persian_language): سبز پوشان), 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

Main article: [Foolad Shahr Stadium](/source/Foolad_Shahr_Stadium)

The home stadium of the club is [Foolad Shahr Stadium](/source/Foolad_Shahr_Stadium) located in [Fooladshahr](/source/Fooladshahr), [Isfahan](/source/Isfahan). The stadium had 20,000 capacity but was renovated to hold about 30,000 people in 2011. The stadium was built in 1998.

## Rivalries

Main article: [Esfahan derby](/source/Esfahan_derby)

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](/source/Sepahan_F.C.) faced each other in [Takht Jamshid Cup](/source/Takht_Jamshid_Cup) seasons ([1974/75](/source/Takht_Jamshid_Cup_1974%E2%80%9375), [1975/76](/source/Takht_Jamshid_Cup_1975%E2%80%9376), [1976/77](/source/Takht_Jamshid_Cup_1976%E2%80%9377), [1977/78](/source/Takht_Jamshid_Cup_1977%E2%80%9378)). Their rivalry resumed in the 1990s when they faced each other in [Azadegan League](/source/Azadegan_League) seasons ([1993/94](/source/Azadegan_League_1993%E2%80%9394), [1996/97](/source/Azadegan_League_1996%E2%80%9397), [1997/98](/source/Azadegan_League_1997%E2%80%9398)) and from then on the two met each other twice a year.

## Players

### First-team squad

- *As of 28 January 2026*

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK IRN Parsa Jafari 2 DF IRN Abolfazl Hosseinifar U23 3 DF IRN Erfan Ghahremani 4 DF IRN Arash Ghaderi 5 DF IRN Mohammad Hosseini 6 DF IRN Nader Mohammadi 9 FW IRN Ali Eslami U23 10 MF IRN Ehsan Pahlavan (Captain) 11 MF IRN Rahman Jafari 13 DF IRN Hesam Nafari U21 14 MF IRN Pouya Mokhtari U25 17 MF IRN Jalaleddin Alimohammadi 19 DF IRN Pedram Ghazipour 20 GK IRN Davoud Noushi Soufiani 22 GK IRN Ashkan Rashedi U21 23 DF IRN Amirhossein Jeddi No. Pos. Nation Player 28 MF IRN Nima Entezari 43 DF IRN Hossein Jorgeh U21 49 FW IRN Hadi Baghban U21 55 DF IRN Behnam Teymourian U23 57 DF IRN Shahin Taherkhani 67 FW IRN Houman Elyasi U19 68 MF IRN Abolfazl Mohammadi U19 69 DF IRN Shayan Mosleh 70 FW IRN Omid Latifi U25 71 MF IRN Arash Mortazavi U21 77 MF IRN Alireza Kazemi 79 MF IRN Sobhan Khaghani 87 MF IRN Morteza Farkhani U19 88 MF IRN Hassan Shushtari 99 MF IRN Mahmoud Ghaed Rahmati

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 7 FW IRN Mohammad Javad Mohammadi (at Malavan until January 2027) 24 DF IRN Danial Eiri (at Malavan until 30 June 2026)

### Retired numbers

See also: [Retired numbers in association football](/source/Retired_numbers_in_association_football)

No. Player Position Zob Ahan debut Last match ref 30 Mehdi Rajabzadeh AM June 2003 15 May 2018 [4]

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](/source/List_of_Zob_Ahan_F.C._players).* *For details on former players see [Category:Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C. players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Zob_Ahan_Esfahan_F.C._players).*

### Players on international cups

Cup Players 1978 FIFA World Cup Rasoul Korbekandi 1996 AFC Asian Cup Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi 1998 FIFA World Cup Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi 2007 AFC Asian Cup Mehdi Rajabzadeh 2011 AFC Asian Cup Shahab Gordan Ghasem Haddadifar Mohammad Reza Khalatbari Farshid Talebi 2014 FIFA World Cup Ghasem Haddadifar 2018 FIFA World Cup Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri

### Club captains

# Name Nat Career in Zob Ahan Captaincy Shirt Num 1 Rasoul Korbekandi 1969–80 1970–80 1 2 Mahmood Ebrahimzadeh 1976–86 1980–86 7 3 Rahman Rezaei 1996–01 1997–00 10 4 Ali Akbar Ostad-Asadi 1995–03 2000–03 15 5 Sepehr Heidari 2000–07 2012–14 2003–07 3 6 Mohammad Salsali 2004–14 2007–14 7 7 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 2003–07 2010–11 2012–18 2014–18 30 8 Ghasem Haddadifar 2003–2021 2018–2021 8 9 Masoud Ebrahimzadeh 2018–2023 2021–2023 7

## Club officials

### IPL managers

Main article: [List of Zob Ahan F.C. managers](/source/List_of_Zob_Ahan_F.C._managers)

*Only [IPL](/source/Iran's_Premier_Football_League) matches are counted.*

Last updated 10 August 2021.

Name Nat From To Record P W D L Win % Final position Nasser Hejazi Jul 2001 Dec 2001 20 8 6 4 40% 3rd (until week 20) Bahram Atef Dec 2001 Jul 2002 6 2 3 3 33.4% (01–02) 6th Samvel Darbinyan Jul 2002 May 2003 52 21 11 20 40% (02-03) 8th (03-04) 4th Rasoul Korbekandi May 2003 Jun 2007 90 39 26 25 43.4% (04-05) 2nd, (05-06) 6th, (06-07) 8th Zoran Đorđević Jun 2007 Oct 2007 10 3 4 3 30% 17th (until week 10) Bijan Zolfagharnasab Oct 2007 May 2008 24 8 11 5 33.4% (07-08) 6th Mansour Ebrahimzadeh Jul 2008 Jun 2012 134 62 48 24 46.3% (08-09) 2nd, (09-10) 2nd,(10–11) 3rd, (11-12) 6th Rasoul Korbekandi Jun 2012 Oct 2012 11 3 1 7 27.3% 15th (until week 11) Farhad Kazemi Oct 2012 Jul 2013 23 6 10 7 26% (12–13) 14th Mahmoud Yavari Jun 2013 Jul 2013 2 1 1 0 50% Win in the Relegation play-offs Luka Bonačić Jul 2013 Jan 2014 20 3 7 10 15% 14th (until week 20) Mojtaba Taghavi Jan 2014 Feb 2014 7 1 4 2 14.3% 15th (until week 27) Firouz Karimi Feb 2014 Jun 2014 4 3 0 1 75% (13–14) 13th Yahya Golmohammadi Jun 2014 Sep 2016 67 26 26 15 38.8% (14–15) 4th (15–16) 6th (16–17) 14th (until week 7) Mojtaba Hosseini Sep 2016 Jun 2017 23 11 7 5 47.8% (16–17) 4th Amir Ghalenoei Jun 2017 Jun 2018 30 15 10 5 50.0% (17-18) 2nd Omid Namazi Jun 2018 Nov 2018 11 2 5 4 18.1% (18–19) 11th (until week 11) Alireza Mansourian Nov 2018 Dec 2019 35 10 14 11 36.8% (18-19) 6th (19–20) 11th (until week 16) Miodrag Radulović Jan 2020 Jun 2020 5 2 1 2 40% (19–20) 11th (until week 21) Luka Bonačić Jun 2020 Aug 2020 9 2 2 5 22.2% (19–20) 12th Rahman Rezaei Sep 2020 Feb 2021 15 1 8 6 6.6% (20–21) 14th (until week 15) Mojtaba Hosseini Mar 2021 Aug 2021 12 3 3 6 25% (20–21) 14th Mehdi Tartar Aug 2021 Present 30 10 7 13 30% (21–22) 7th

#### Current coaching staff

Source:[5]

Position Name Head coach Mehdi Tartar Assistant coaches Hossein Pashaei Mohammad Salsali Mohammad Nouri Goalkeeping coach Hossein Inanlou Fitness coach Amir Jamali Analyst Kianoush Forouzesh Physiotherapist Abbas Moradi Behzad Moradi Doctor Amir Hossein Sharifianpour Logistics Mahmoud Mehruyan Team Manager Mahmoud Yazdkhasti B team Head Coach Mehdi Rajabzadeh Media Officer Ehsan Baeedi

### Chairpersons

Chairperson Tenure Mohammad Mehdi Taghizadeh July 1969 – July 1977 Mostafa Ghanei July 1977 – February 1979 Asghar Nilchian May 1979 – May 1984 Fazollah Omranian May 1984 – May 1988 Heydar Taheri May 1988 – May 1992 Nematollah Zargar May 1992 – June 1996 Alireza Shogi June 1996 – June 2004 Saeed Azari June 2004 – June 2009 Asghar Dalili June 2009 – August 2011 Khosro Ebrahimi August 2011 – September 2013 Saeed Azari September 2013 – August 2019 Javad Mohammadi August 2019 – January 2020 Ahmad Jamshidi January 2020 – September 2020 Javad Mohammadi September 2020 – January 2021 Mojtaba Fereydouni January 2021 – July 2023 Nima Nakisa July 2023 – present

## Season-by-season

*For details on seasons, see [List of Zob Ahan F.C. seasons](/source/List_of_Zob_Ahan_F.C._seasons)*

The table below chronicles the achievements of Zob Ahan since 1973.

- Season League Position Hazfi Cup ACL Notes 1973–74 Takht Jamshid Cup 10th Not held did not qualify 1974–75 11th 1975–76 9th 1/8 Final 1976–77 15th 1/16 Final 1977–78 8th Not held 1978–79 N/A did not finish 1981–82 Isfahan's 2nd Division 1st Promoted 1983–84 Isfahan League 3rd 1984–85 2nd 1991–92 5th 1993–94 Azadegan League 4th 1/8 Final 1994–95 8th 1/16 Final Relegated 1995–96 2nd Division 2nd 1/8 Final Promoted 1996–97 Azadegan League 10th 1/8 Final 1997–98 3rd Not held 1998–99 12th Third Round 1999–00 5th First Round 2000–01 4th Final 2001–02 Iran Pro League 6th Quarterfinal 2002–03 8th Cup 2003–04 4th Semi-Final First Round 2004–05 2nd 1/8 Final did not qualify 2005–06 6th 1/8 Final 2006–07 8th 1/16 Final 2007–08 6th 1/8 Final 2008–09 2nd Cup 2009–10 2nd Semi-Final Runner-up 2010–11 3rd 1/16 Final 1/4 Final 2011–12 6th 1/8 Final Play-off 2012–13 14th 1/4 Final did not qualify 2013–14 13th 1/4 Final 2014–15 4th Cup 2015–16 6th Cup 1/8 Final Super Cup 2016–17 4th Semi-Final First Round 2017–18 2nd 1/16 Final 1/8 Final 2018–19 6th 1/16 Final 1/8 Final 2019–20 12th 1/16 Final did not qualify 2020–21 14th 1/16 Final 2021–22 7th 1/16 Final 2022–23 9th 1/16 Final 2023–24 5th 1/16 Final

## 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

As of 6 May 2020 Name Nationality position total 1 Ghasem Haddadifar Iran Midfielder 410 2 Mehdi Rajabzadeh Iran Forward 348 3 Rasoul Korbekandi Iran Goalkeeper 308 4 Esmaeil Farhadi Iran Forward 303 5 Mohammad Salsali Iran Defender 235 6 Sepehr Heidari Iran Defender 183 7 Morteza Tabrizi Iran Forward 178 8 Rashid Mazaheri Iran Goalkeeper 175 9 Mohammad Mansouri Iran Midfielder 163 Sina Ashouri Iran Midfielder 163

### Top Goalscorers

As of 6 May 2019 Player Appearances Goals 1 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 348 106 2 Morteza Tabrizi 178 54 3 Reza Sahebi 147 49 4 Esmaeil Farhadi 303 47 5 Mohammad Reza Khalatbari 160 44 6 Igor Castro 153 42 7 Mohammad Ghazi 111 28 8 Mohammad Hosseini 111 25 9 Ghasem Haddadifar 410 22 10 Mohsen Mosalman 157 21

### Top Scorers by season

Season Player Goals 2001–02 Reza Sahebi 7 2002–03 Reza Sahebi 6 2003–04 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 9 2004–05 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 8 2005–06 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 14 2006–07 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 17 2007–08 Esmaeil Farhadi 9 2008–09 Igor Castro 16 2009–10 Mohammad Reza Khalatbari 11 2010–11 Seyed Mohammad Hosseini 12 2011–12 Mohammad Ghazi 7 2012–13 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 8 2013–14 Mehdi Rajabzadeh 9 2014–15 Masoud Hassanzadeh 9 2015–16 Morteza Tabrizi 7 2016–17 Morteza Tabrizi 11 2017–18 Morteza Tabrizi 13 2018–19 Amir Arsalan Motahari 6

## Asian record

[**Gordan**](/source/Shahab_Gordan)

[**Talebi**](/source/Farshid_Talebi)

[**Ahmadi**](/source/Mohammad-Ali_Ahmadi)

[**Hosseini**](/source/Mohammad_Hosseini_(footballer%2C_born_1979))

[**Mahini**](/source/Hossein_Mahini)

[**Kheiri**](/source/Shahin_Kheiri)

[**Haddadifar**](/source/Ghasem_Haddadifar)

[**Igor Castro**](/source/Igor_Jos%C3%A9_Marigo_de_Castro)

[**Khalatbari**](/source/Mohammad_Reza_Khalatbari_(footballer%2C_born_1983))

[**Rajabzadeh**](/source/Mehdi_Rajabzadeh)

[**Ghazi**](/source/Mohammad_Ghazi_(footballer))

Zob Ahan's starting line-up Final against Seongnam, 2010 AFC Champions League

### Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League

Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League Season Round Rival Home Away Rank/Agg. Notes 2004 Group stage (Group A) Pakhtakor 1–0 2–0 2 Qatar SC 3–3 0–0 Riffa – – 2010 Group stage (Group B) Al-Wahda 1–0 1–0 1 Runners-up Al-Ittihad 1–0 2–2 Bunyodkor 3–0 0–1 Round of 16 Mes Kerman 1–0 – 1–0 Quarter-finals Pohang Steelers 2–1 1–1 3–2 Semi-finals Al-Hilal 1–0 0–1 2–0 Final Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma – – 1–3 2011 Group stage (Group D) Emirates 2–1 0–1 1 Al-Shabab 0–1 0–0 Al-Rayyan 1–0 1–3 Round of 16 Al-Nassr 4–1 – 4–1 Quarter-finals Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1–2 1–1 2–3 2012 Qualifying play-off Esteghlal – 2–0 2–0 Not Qualify 2016 Group stage (Group B) Lekhwiya 0–0 0–1 1 Bunyodkor 5–2 0–0 Al-Nassr 3–0 0–3 Round of 16 Al-Ain 0–2 1–1 1–3 2017 Group stage (Group C) Al-Ain 0–3 1–1 3 Al-Ahli 1–2 2–0 Bunyodkor 2–1 0–2 2018 Qualifying play-off Aizawl 3–1 – 3–1 Qualify Group stage (Group B) Al Wahda 2–0 3–0 2 Lokomotiv 2–0 1–1 Al-Duhail 0–1 3–1 Round of 16 Esteghlal 1–0 3–1 3–2 2019 Preliminary round 2 Al-Kuwait 1–0 – 1–0 Qualify Qualifying play-off Al-Gharafa – 2–3 3–2 Group stage (Group A) Al-Zawraa 0–0 2–2 1 Al-Wasl 2–0 1–3 Al-Nassr 0–0 2–3 Round of 16 Al-Ittihad 3–4 2–1 4–6

## Club honours

### Domestic

- **[1st Division](/source/Azadegan_League)**/**[Persian Gulf Pro League](/source/Persian_Gulf_Pro_League)** - Runners-up (4): [2004–05](/source/Iran_Pro_League_2004-05), [2008–09](/source/Persian_Gulf_Cup_2008-09), [2009–10](/source/Persian_Gulf_Cup_2009-10), [2017–18](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_Persian_Gulf_Pro_League)

- **[Hazfi Cup](/source/Hazfi_Cup)** - **Winners (4)**: [2002–03](/source/Hazfi_Cup_2002-03), [2008–09](/source/Hazfi_Cup_2008%E2%80%9309), [2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_Hazfi_Cup), [2015–16](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_Hazfi_Cup) - Runners-up (1): [2000–01](/source/Hazfi_Cup_2000-01)

- **[Super Cup](/source/Iranian_Super_Cup)** - **Winners (1)**: [2016](/source/2016_Iranian_Super_Cup)

### Continental

- **[AFC Champions League Elite](/source/AFC_Champions_League_Elite)** - Runners-up (1): [2010](/source/2010_AFC_Champions_League)

## Ownership

The owner of the Zob Ahan FC is [Isfahan Steel Company](/source/Esfahan_Steel_Company). Company is the first Iranian steel maker opened in late 1960, based close to the cities of [Fooladshahr](/source/Fooladshahr) and [Zarrinshahr](/source/Zarrinshahr), [Isfahan Province](/source/Isfahan_Province).

Zob Ahan-e Esfahan and Iran's first car manufacturer, Iran National (renamed Iran Khodro after the [Iranian revolution](/source/Iranian_revolution)) were parts of a move from mainly agriculture-based economy toward industrialization by the pre-revolutionary government of [Amir Abbas Hoveida](/source/Amir_Abbas_Hoveida).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["ورزشگاه بیست و دو ساله فولادشهر"](https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/3016305/%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D9%88-%D8%AF%D9%88-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%81%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1). *fa*. 23 November 1399.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_2-1) ["AFC Champions League"](http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league/27160).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Zobahan (IRN) vs Pohang Steelers (KOR)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120612212418/http://images.the-afc.com/mediakit/acl2010/acl2010-presskit-qf2-zob-poh.pdf) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://images.the-afc.com/mediakit/acl2010/acl2010-presskit-qf2-zob-poh.pdf) (PDF) on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["رجب زاده خداحافظی کرد شماره 30 بایگانی شد"](http://www.varzesh3.com/news/1531836/%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%A8-%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%AE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-30-%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231129134429/https://www.varzesh3.com/news/1531836/%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%A8-%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%AE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%B4%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87-30-%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%AF) from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Profile of Teams"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191118235705/http://stats.the-afc.com/tournament/253/teams/150/profile). Archived from [the original](http://stats.the-afc.com/tournament/253/teams/150/profile) on 18 November 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C.](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Zob_Ahan_Esfahan_F.C.).

- [Official website](http://www.zobahanclub.com/) (in Persian)

- [Player statistics](https://web.archive.org/web/20100212153444/http://www.iranproleague.net/index.php/teams/teams?id=45&view=team&sid=18) (archived 12 February 2010)

Achievements Preceded by Esteghlal F.C. Hazfi Cup Champions 2002–03 Succeeded by Sepahan F.C. Preceded by Esteghlal F.C. IPL Runner-up 2004–05 Succeeded by PAS Tehran Preceded by Sepahan F.C. IPL Runner-up 2008–09 Succeeded by Holders Preceded by Esteghlal F.C. Hazfi Cup Champions 2008–09 Succeeded by Perspolis F.C. Preceded by Holders IPL Runner-up 2009–10 Succeeded by Esteghlal F.C. Preceded by Al-Ittihad ACL Runner-up 2010 Succeeded by Jeonbuk Preceded by Tractor Hazfi Cup Champions 2014–15 Succeeded by Holders Preceded by Holders Hazfi Cup Champions 2015–16 Succeeded by Naft Tehran F.C. Preceded by Esteghlal F.C. IPL Runner-up 2017–18 Succeeded by Sepahan F.C.

v t e Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C. Team Players Current squad Managers Ground Foolad Shahr Stadium Seasons 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 Rivalry Naqsh-e jahan derby Other divisions Basketball

v t e Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C. – current squad 1 Jafari 3 Mohammadi 4 Ghoreishi 5 Soleimanzadeh 6 Yousefi 7 Aliyari 10 Tabrizi 11 Kamyabinia 12 Noushi Soufiani 13 H. Nafari 14 Mokhtari 15 Sarshogh 16 Aria Kia 17 Shariatzadeh 18 M. Nafari 19 Ghazipour 20 Baghban 21 Ramezani 23 Azarbad 26 Hosseinifar 29 Asgari 30 Eslami 33 Salehi 35 Chabradze 38 Sharifi Basir 40 Gerami 44 Rashedi 69 Mosleh 70 Latifi 71 Taherkhani 79 Khaghani 88 Shoushtari 90 Abbaszadeh 99 Ghaed Rahmati Manager: Rabiei

v t e Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C. – managers Yavari (1969–70) Asli (1970–71) Hajnasrollah (1971–73) Lyadin (1974–78) Korbekandi (1983–93) Lyadin (1993–95) Hejazi (1998–01) Atef (2001–02) Darbinyan (2002–03) Korbekandi (2003–07) Đorđević (2007) Zolfagharnasab (2007–08) Ebrahimzadeh (2008–12) Korbekandi (2012) Kazemi (2012–13) Yavari (2013) Bonačić (2013–14) Taghavi (2014) Karimi (2014) Golmohammadi (2014–16) Hosseini (2016–17) Ghalenoei (2017–18) Namazi (2018) Mansourian (2018–19) Radulović (2020) Bonačić (2020) Rezaei (2020–21) Hosseini (2021) Tartar (2021–2023) Rabiei (2023–25) Hadadifar (2025–26) Omidian (2026–)

v t e Persian Gulf Pro League 2022–23 teams Aluminium Arak Esteghlal Foolad Gol Gohar Havadar Malavan Mes Kerman Mes Rafsanjan Naft Masjed Soleyman Nassaji Paykan Persepolis Sanat Naft Sepahan Tractor Zob Ahan Former teams Aboumoslem Aluminium Hormozgan Bargh Shiraz Damash Esteghlal Ahvaz Esteghlal Rasht Fajr Gahar Zagros Gostaresh Machine Sazi Mes Sarcheshmeh Naft Tehran Pars Jam PAS Hamedan Pas Tehran Payam Mashhad Pegah Gilan Rah Ahan Saba Sepidrood Saipa Siah Jamegan Shahin Bushehr Shahrdari Tabriz Shahr Khodro Shamoushak Shirin Faraz Steel Azin Tarbiat Yazd Competition Champions Iranian league system Statistics and awards Winning managers Managers Top scorers all-time by season Football Awards Associated competitions Hazfi Cup Iranian Super Cup Azadegan League League 2 League 3 List of transfers summer 2012 winter 2012–13 summer 2013 winter 2013–14 summer 2014 winter 2014–15 summer 2015 winter 2015–16 summer 2016 winter 2016–17 summer 2017 winter 2017–18 summer 2018 winter 2018–19 summer 2019 winter 2019–20 summer 2020 Winter 2020–21 Summer 2021 Winter 2021–22 Summer 2022 Winter 2022–23 Summer 2023

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zob_Ahan_Esfahan_F.C.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zob_Ahan_Esfahan_F.C.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.