Saipa F.C.
- For the automobile company, see SAIPA.
Saipa Alborz Football Club (Persian: باشگاه فوتبال سايپا البرز) is a football team based in Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran. The team is owned by SAIPA, an Iranian automobile manufacturer. The team has never had a large fanbase, despite some success. It is known to have one of the best youth training programs in Iranian football.
Saipa F.C. is the football club of the multisport Saipa Cultural and Athletic Corporation.
History
In 1989, SAIPA Company decided on starting a football team. They purchased a team playing in the 4th division of Tehran's league, and renamed it. They played in the 3rd division in 1990, and the 2nd division in 1991. That same year they purchased the Shipping Department team's shares, and participated in the 1st division of Tehran's local league. In that year they won the Tehran city championship as well as the Tehran Super Cup, thus attaining the right to play in Iran's top league at the time, the Azadegan League. In their first year in the Azadegan League they won the championship, as well as the Hazfi Cup. They also won the league championship again in 1994, but were relegated to the 2nd division in 1995. They were able to make their way back into the 1st division again. They became the champion of the IPL in 2007 with their manager/player Ali Daei. They played in ACL for the first and got through to the second round under Ali Daei but finished 13th in the league and could not perform as well as the season before. After that, Ali Daei was chosen as the Team Melli manager, so the club had to choose a new coach; they brought in a German coach who had a difficult time and stayed for only 2 months. The club replaced said coach with Mayeli Kohan and had an average seasons for the following two seasons and finished in midtable.
Season-by-season
The table below chronicles the achievements of Saipa in various competitions since 1993.
* Azadegan League.
** Iran Pro League.
Honors
First-team squad
As of August 3, 2011
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers winter 2011–12.
Famous players
Managers
The following managers won at least one trophy when in charge of Saipa:
External links
Official
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Local League |
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Takht Jamshid Cup |
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Azadegan League
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IPL |
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Competitions involving Iranian clubs
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Domestic |
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Defunct |
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International |
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Semi Final
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1/4 Final
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1/8 Final
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1/16 Final
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Third Round
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Second Round
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First Round
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Hazfi Cup Seasons
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Seasons
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Final
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Competitions involving Iranian clubs
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Domestic
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Defunct
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International
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League competitions |
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Cup competitions |
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National teams |
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Lists and categories |
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9 titles : Persepolis (1971–72, 73-74, 75-76, 95-96, 96-97, 98-99, 99-00, 01-02, 07-08)
7 titles : Esteghlal Tehran (1970–71, 74-75, 89-90, 97-98, 00-01, 05-06, 08-09)
5 titles : PAS Tehran (76-77, 77-78, 91-92, 92-93, 03-04)
3 titles : Sepahan (02-03, 09-10, 10-11) Saipa (93-94, 94-95, 06-07)
1 title : Foolad (04-05)
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