Esteghlal F.C.
Full name | Esteghlal Tehran Football Club | |||
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Nickname(s) |
(The Blues) (Crown) (SS) | |||
Founded |
26 September 1945 (as Docharkheh Savaran) | |||
Ground |
Azadi Stadium Tehran, Iran | |||
Capacity | 91,623 | |||
Owner | MYAS | |||
Chairman | Ali Fatollahzadeh | |||
Head Coach | Amir Ghalenoei | |||
League | Iran Pro League | |||
2012–13 | Iran Pro League, 1st | |||
Website | Club home page | |||
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Current season |
Esteghlal Tehran Football Club (باشگاه فوتبال استقلال تهران, meaning independence in Persian) known before the Iranian Revolution as Taj Tehran Football Club (باشگاه فوتبال تاج تهران, meaning Crown in Persian) is an Iranian professional Football Club based in Tehran that plays in The Iran Pro League. Founded in 1945 initially as Docharkhe savaran (دوچرخه سواران) meaning 'The Cyclists' in Persian and later in 1949, the name of the club was first changed to Taj (تاج), that means 'Crown' in Persian; a name that was quickly transformed into a football powerhouse in Iranian soccer competitions. The name of the club was finally modified into Esteghlal (Persian: استقلال) that is the current name of the club, meaning 'Independence', subsequent to the Islamic Revolution in 1979. In 1970, under the management of Zdravko Rajkov, Esteghlal Tehran became the first Iranian football club to win the Asian Cup. They have won several official titles in the national and international stage since 1970, including eight Iranian League (1st tier) titles[1] and a record 6 Hazfi Cups,[2][3] with two titles in Asian Cup (in 1970 and 1991), so there are two golden stars printed on the badge of the team official kit.
Esteghlal is one of the most popular football clubs in Iran and the most successful Iranian football club in Asian football competitions with two AFC Champions League titles.
History
Establishment
On 20 September 1945, three Iranian military officers—Mirzani, Jananpour and Navab—started a sports club on Ferdowsi Street, Tehran. Since the founders of the club were mostly interested in cycling, the club's original name was Docharkhe Savaran (Persian: دوچرخه سواران), meaning 'The Cyclists' in Persian. Esteghlal football club played its first official match in 1946.
Emerging success
In 1949, the club officially changed its name to Taj. The club became the most beloved team in Iran after some years, and won numerous league AFC ChampionsLeague, Hazfi Cups and IPL.
The club has been successful in recent years and is always a contender for the league championship. In the past few years it has finished 2nd or 3rd in the league, and Amir Ghalenoei was able to get the team its first championship in the IPL in the 2005–06 season after his third and final year as the manager.
1979 Revolution
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the club was confiscated by the newly established Islamic government and put under the control of the Physical Education Organization of Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: سازمان تربیت بدنی جمهوری اسلامی ايران), a governmental organization, and change its name to Esteghlal (Persian: استقلال), 'Independence' in Persian. Taj (Persian: استقلال قهرمان ) means 'Crown' in Persian; after the revolution, any sign of the previous monarchist regime was not tolerated.
Tehran Derby
The club's main rival and its opponent in the Tehran Derby is Persepolis F.C. The first derby match between the clubs took place on April 5, 1968 at Amjadieh Stadium. Today, all derbies and home matches occur at the 84.412 capacity Azadi Stadium which is invariably sold out for the derby.
In 1995, IRIFF began to invite foreign referees to officiate the derby to ease fan and player suspicions of referee bias. This occurred after the events of the 38th derby. In the 38th derby (January 11, 1995), Persepolis was leading in the match by a score of 2–0 until the last 10 minutes of the match. Esteghlal scored two goals in quick succession, including one which was a penalty. This angered the Persepolis fans and players who felt the referee was biased towards Esteghlal (there was speculation about Esteghlal bribing the referee and the officials). Persepolis fans stormed the field, and fights broke out on the pitch between fans and players. Following this match it was decided that Iranian referees would no longer be used for the derby. After 13 years of foreign referees, the second leg of the 2008–09 season Derby saw an Iranian once again refereeing the game. The game ended a draw with goals coming from Mojtaba Jabari and Maziar Zare.
AFC Champions League
Esteghlal is one of the most successful clubs in Asian Champion's League with two champions titles in 1970, 1991, in 1970 victory against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Supporters and Fans
Esteghlal is one of the highest supported teams in Iranian football. It is said in unofficial counts that the club has over 30 million fans.The club is based in Tehran and is popular in all parts of country. Esteghlal also has a fan base in Afghanistan And Persian Gulf countries.[4]
Famous Fans
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Stadium
The Azadi Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi Stadium officially had a capacity of 100,000 people at the beginning[58][59] and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games. The stadium is part of the much larger Azadi Sports Complex, and is surrounded by a rowing river, football training pitches, a weightlifting complex, swimming facilities and indoor volleyball and futsal courts, among many other amenities. Today Azadi Stadium - with a capacitiy of 84,412 after renovations in 2002[60] - is the fifth biggest association football stadium in the world, fourth in Asia and first in West Asia.[58][61]
Esteghlal's home stadium is the Azadi (Persian: ورزشگاه آزادی), a football stadium in Tehran, Iran. The Stadium's former name was Aryamehr Stadium but was changed after the Iranian Revolution. The stadium has been filled over capacity on numerous occasions, for example when it faces rivals Persepolis F.C. in the Tehran Derby or in several AFC Champions League matches. Prior to the construction of Azadi, Esteghlal used to play their games at Amjadieh Stadium.
Players
Current Squad
- See also: 2013–14 Esteghlal F.C. season
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers winter 2013–14.
Reserves and Academy
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable Players
Asia Africa America Europe |
Players with Dual Nationality
- Rodrigo Tosi
- Boubacar Kébé
- Goran Jerković
- Pierre Karol
- Ferydoon Zandi
- Jlloyd Samuel
- For all former Esteghlal players with a Wikipedia article see Esteghlal F.C. players.
World Cup players
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Olympic Players
Club Managers
Notable Managers
Only managers who have won at least one trophy are mentioned.
Name | Period | Trophies | |||||||
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Domestic | International | ||||||||
IPL | HC | AL | ACL | ||||||
Zdravko Rajkov | 1969–76 | ||||||||
Mansour Pourheidari | 1989–92 1995–96 2000–02 |
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Nasser Hejazi | 1996–99 | ||||||||
Amir Ghalenoie | 2003–06 2008–09 2012– |
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Parviz Mazloumi | 2010–12 |
IPL managers
Name | Nat | From | To | Record | |||||
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P | W | D | L | Win % | |||||
Mansour Pourheidari | Feb 2000 | Jul 2002 | 26 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 50% | ||
Roland Koch[62] | Jul 2002 | Jun 2003 | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 31% | ||
Amir Ghalenoie[63][64][65] | Jul 2003 | Jul 2006 | 86 | 46 | 30 | 10 | 53% | ||
Samad Marfavi[66] | Jul 2006 | Aug 2007 | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 47% | ||
Nasser Hejazi | Aug 2007 | Nov 2007 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 36% | ||
Firooz Karimi | Nov 2007 | May 2008 | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 30% | ||
Amir Ghalenoie[67] | Jul 2008 | Jun 2009 | 34 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 56% | ||
Samad Marfavi[68] | Jul 2009 | Jun 2010 | 34 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 47% | ||
Parviz Mazloomi | Jun 2010 | May 2012 | 68 | 37 | 20 | 11 | 54% | ||
Amir Ghalenoie | Jun 2012 | Present | 57 | 30 | 19 | 8 | 52% |
Current Management Team
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Amir Ghalenoei |
Assistant coach | Majid Saleh |
First team coach | Sattar Hamedani |
Second team coach | Karim Boostani |
Goalkeeper coach | Hamid Babazadeh |
Football academy president | Asghar Hajiloo[69] |
Technical adviser | Morteza Mohasses |
Doctor | Kaveh Sotoudeh |
Physiotherapist | Amin Noroozi |
Psychologist | Abbas Montazeri |
Analyzer | Iman Alami |
Analyzer | Nima Rasouli |
Technical manager | Mansour Pourheidari |
Team Manager | Mirshad Majedi |
Chairmen
Chairman | Tenure |
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Parviz Khosravani | |
Parviz Sheikhan | |
Ali Abdullahi Nourozi | |
Kazem Oliaei | |
Ali Fathollahzadeh | |
Hossein Gharib | |
Kazem Oliaei | |
Hossein Gharib | |
Meghdad Najafnejad | |
Ali Fathollahzadeh | |
Amir Reza Vaezi Ashtiani | |
Ali Nazari Juybari | |
Ali Fathollahzadeh |
Achievements
Domestic
League
- Iranian Football League (Iran Pro League since 2001):
- Winners (8): 1970–71, 1974–75, 1989–90, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2012–13
- Runners-up (8): 1973–74, 1991–92, 1994–95, 1998–99, 1999-00, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2010–11
Cups
Provincial
- Tehran Football League:
- Winners (11): 1949, 1956, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1983, 1985, 1991
- Runners-Up (7): 1947, 1952, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1990, 1991
- Tehran Hazfi Cup:
- Winners (2): 1947, 1959
Continental
- AFC Champions League:
- Winners (2): 1970, 1990–91
- Runner Up (2): 1991, 1998–99
- Third Place (3): 1971, [[Asian Club Championship 2001-02|2001–02]2012-2013]
Unofficial titles
- Caspian Cup:
- Winners (1): 1996
- Kish Quartet Competition Cup:
- Winners (1): 1996
- Ettehad Cup:
- Winners (1): 1973
- Turkmenistan President's Cup:
- Winners (1): 1998
- Bordoloi Trophy:
- Winners (1): 1989
- Milz Cup:
- Winners (4): 1969 , 1970 , 1971, 1989
- Runners-Up (1): 1972
- Qatar Independence Cup:
- Winners (1): 1991
- Emirates Quartet Competition Cup:
- Runners-Up (1): 1996
Statistics and records
Statistics in IPL
- Seasons in IPL: 12 (all)
- Best position in IPL: First (2005–06, 2008–2009, 2012–13)
- Worst position in IPL: 13 (2007–08)
- Most goals scored in a season: 70 (2008–09)
- Most goals scored in a match: 6 – 0 (1 time)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 4 – 1 (3 times)
Statistics in ACL
- Most goals scored in a match: 8 – 0 (1 time)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 4 – 0 (1 time)
- Player with the most goals in a single match: Ali Jabari with 3 goals
Statistics in Hazfi Cup
- Most goals scored in a match: 13 – 0 (1 time)
- Most goals conceded in a match: 0 – 3 (1 time)
- Player with the most goals in a single match: Arash Borhani with 5 goals
General statistics
- All-time top scorer: Arash Borhani with 99 goals (All Competitions)
- All-time Most Appearances: Arash Borhani, 240 (All Competitions)
- Player who has won most titles: Farhad Majidi with 5 titles
Esteghlal have been the most successful Iranian club in Asia and one of the most successful football clubs in Iran.
- Table Shows The Iran Premier League Ranking For The Successful Clubs in These All 12 Seasons.
Pos. | Club | Seasons | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Best Rank |
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1 | Esteghlal | 12 | 372 | 183 | 117 | 72 | 568 | 360 | +208 | 666 | Champions |
2 | Sepahan | 12 | 372 | 174 | 111 | 87 | 561 | 369 | +192 | 628 | Champions |
3 | Persepolis | 12 | 372 | 158 | 127 | 87 | 531 | 408 | +123 | 595 | Champions |
4 | Zob Ahan | 12 | 372 | 152 | 121 | 99 | 461 | 376 | +85 | 577 | 2nd |
- And The Following Table Lists Clubs By Number of Winners And Runner-up In AFC Champions League (Asian Club Championship Also Included).
Team | Winners | Runners-Up | Years Won | Years Lost |
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Pohang Steelers | 3 | 0 | 1996–97, 1997–98, 2009 | – |
Esteghlal FC | 2 | 2 | 1970, 1990–91 | 1991–92, 1998–99 |
Al-Hilal FC | 2 | 2 | 1991–92, 1999–2000 | 1986–87, 1987–88 |
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma | 2 | 2 | 1995–96, 2010 | 1996–97, 2004 |
Al-Ittihad FC | 2 | 1 | 2004, 2005 | 2009 |
Season-by-season
For details on seasons, see List of Esteghlal F.C. seasons
Season Div. Pos. Hazfi Cup Asia 2001–02 IPL 2nd Champion CL Semi-Final 2002–03 IPL 9th Quarter-Final CL Group Stage 2003–04 IPL 2nd Final – – 2004–05 IPL 3rd Quarter-Final – – 2005–06 IPL 1st Quarter-Final – – 2006–07 IPL 4th Round of 16 CL Disqualified 2007–08 IPL 13th Champion – – 2008–09 IPL 1st Round of 16 CL Group stage 2009–10 IPL 3rd Quarter-Final CL Round of 16 2010–11 IPL 2nd Semi-Final CL Group stage 2011–12 IPL 3rd Champion CL Round of 16 2012–13 IPL 1st Semi-Final CL Semi-Final
Best Goal Scorers of Esteghlal
- Arash Borhani 99 Goals
- Farhad Majidi 94 Goals
- Ali Jabbari 89 Goals
- Samad Marfavi 77 Goals
Sponsorship
- Official shirt sponsors – Refah Bank
- Official shirt sponsors in AFC Champions League – Tat Bank
- Official shirt manufacturer – Uhlsport
- Official water – Damavand Mineral Water
IPL shirt sponsors and manufacturers
Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
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2001–02 | Daei SWE | LG |
2002–03 | ||
2003–04 | Jouraban | Aiwa |
2004–05 | Aghili | Sharp |
2005–06 | Abi Pooshan | SAGEM |
2006–07 | Merooj | MTN Irancell |
2007–08 | CCC | |
Aghili | Shahrvand Chain Stores | |
2008–09 | Uhlsport | Iran Mobile Market |
2009–10 | ||
2010–11 | City Bank | |
2011–12 | ||
2012–13 | Refah Bank | |
2013–14 | Merooj | Mahan Air |
2014–15 | ||
2015–16 | TBD |
See also
- Esteghlal Tehran Futsall Club
- Esteghlal Ahvaz Football Club
- Esteghlal Meli-Sanati Khuzestan Football Club
- Esteghlal Dushanbe Football Club
References
- ↑ According to the list of Iranian football champions.
- ↑ (English) "Esteghlal wins Hazfi Cup". goal.com. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
- ↑ "استقلال فاتح جام حذفي بيست و ششم شد". aftabnews.ir. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ↑ "استقلال پرطرفدارترين تيم ايران". asriran.com.
- ↑ "تاج و پرسپوليس در آيينه انقلاب". Noorportal.net.
- ↑ "سيدحسن خمينی خطاب به حجازی: به عشق شما به استاديوم آمدم". Esteghlaltehranfc.com.
- ↑ "متلک سيد حسن به علی دايی: پارسال برق رفت، قهرمان شديد".
- ↑ "سيدحسن خمينی خطاب به حجازی: به عشق شما به استاديوم آمدم". Esteghlaltehranfc.com.
- ↑ "متلک سيد حسن به علی دايی: پارسال برق رفت، قهرمان شديد".
- ↑ "«از خواندن سرود ای ایران، استقلالی بودن نیکی کریمی تا حق مدیری به گردن عطاران". cinemapress.ir.
- ↑ "«مصاحبه با نیکی کریمی : بین تهران و لندن زندگی می کنم". neginiran.ir.
- ↑ "« شبنم قلی خانی: خانوادگی استقلالی هستيم". Irantrack.com.
- ↑ "« يک نکته فوتبالی در مورد مهناز افشار اين است که او استقلالی است". Iranew.com.
- ↑ "« نرگس محمدی: هوادار استقلال هستم". Parsvi.com.
- ↑ "« پانته آ بهرام: صد درصد استقلالی هستم". Rasekhoon.net.
- ↑ "« سحر قريشی از طرفداران تعصبی استقلال". Tavalood.com.
- ↑ "« سحر قريشی :خودم فيلم قهرمانی استقلال را مي سازم". bordobakht.com.
- ↑ "« رخام: به استقلال علاقه دارم". Navad.net.
- ↑ "«لاله اسكندری طرفدار استقلال". Sharghnewspaper.ir.
- ↑ "« مينا لاکانی: پرسپوليسی ها به خونم تشنهاند". Hamshahrionline.ir.
- ↑ "« ليلا بلوکات درمصاحبه با مجله فوتبال: استقلالي ام".
- ↑ "« آناهيتاهمتي در کنار آبی ها". Afkarnews.ir.
- ↑ "« کری امير جعفری با پرسپوليسی ها در برنامه هفت". Aparat.com.
- ↑ "« امير جعفری و نشان دادن عدد چهار". gol.ir.
- ↑ "«مصاحبه با شهنام شهابی :از بچگی استقلالی بودم".
- ↑ "«عليرضا خمسه طرفدار استقلال". Sharghnewspaper.ir.
- ↑ "«بهزاد فراهانی ، از استقلالی های قديمی و هنرپيشه سرشناس کشور". khabaronline.ir.
- ↑ "«همايون ارشادی طرفدار استقلال". Sharghnewspaper.ir.
- ↑ ""مهناز افشار" و "محمدرضا گلزار" مهمان جشن پيراهن استقلال". Cinemapress.ir.
- ↑ "«مصاحبه قديمی محمدرضا گلزار با مجله خانواده سبز: هوادار استقلال هستم. ". mrgolzar4.ir.
- ↑ "«بهرام رادان علاقه مند به ورزش فوتبال و يک استقلالی متعصب". Rasekhoon.net.
- ↑ "«بهرام رادان و رضا يزدانی در بازي استقلال". Pcparsi.com.
- ↑ "«داريوش ارجمند :من استقلال را دوست دارم". Rasekhoon.net.
- ↑ "«امين زندگانی در مراسم جشن لباس تيم استقلال مجری شد". Fardanews.com.
- ↑ "«کری خوانی محسن افشانی با نیما شاهرخ شاهی". seemorgh.com.
- ↑ "«پويا امينی با پرچم استقلال". gol.ir.
- ↑ "«نوذری پرسپوليسی و حکيمی استقلالی دربی 71 را کنار هم میبینند". Ferz.ir.
- ↑ "«کرکری فوتبالی بين مجری سيما و بازيگر تلويزيون". Persianv.com.
- ↑ "«سامان گوران: يک استقلالی تمام عيار هستم". Esteghlaltehranfc.com.
- ↑ "«بحثهای فوتبالی مهران غفوريان، مهران مهام و سعيد آقاخانی در برنامه زنده رود". jamnews.
- ↑ "«کری بازیگر معروف استقلالی برای پرسپولیسی ها".
- ↑ "«گفتگوی خواندنی با رضا داوودنژاد: طرفدار پر و پا قرص استقلالم". Dornanews.com.
- ↑ "« اندي در مصاحبه با طپش: ايران که بودم استقلالی بودم".
- ↑ "«رضا يزدانی: اميدوارم استقلال بازی های بعدی اش را هم ببرد". Khabaronline.ir.
- ↑ "قطعه "آبی شو"، هديه رضا يزداني به هواداران استقلال". Noteahang.com.
- ↑ "«توهین پرسپولیسیها به مهدی رحمتی در کنسرت احسان خواجه امیری". خبرگزاری پانا.
- ↑ "«مصاحبه بابك جهانبخش با مجله ي استقلال جوان".
- ↑ "« مهاجم استقلال در بين مهمانان ويژه کنسرت بهنام صفوي". Khabaronline.ir.
- ↑ "« بهنام صفوی: آهنگ استقلالی ها را ميخوانم". madaranmag.com.
- ↑ "«حميد عسگري: براي استقلال مجانی ميخواندم". Navad.net.
- ↑ "«مجتبی کبيری در مراسم جشن لباس تيم استقلال". Varzesh3.com.
- ↑ "«حاشيه مراسم جشن باشگاه استقلال با حضور مانی رهنما". fardanews.com.
- ↑ "«خشايار اعتمادی: علاقه ام به استقلال را انکار نمی کنم". Tabnak.ir.
- ↑ "«مرتضی پاشايی: از بچگی که براي تشويق استقلال به استاديوم ميرفتم با ناصر حجازی آشنا شدم".
- ↑ "«موزيک علي دانيال با نام استقلال".
- ↑ "«گفتوگويی با مهدی يزدانی خرم:اخبار ورزشی رو پيگيری ميكنم بهعنوانِ يه استقلاليِ دو آتيشه".
- ↑ "«پرستو صالحی کنار پوستراستقلال". 2nel.ir.
- ↑ 58.0 58.1 "Azadi Sport Complex [www.AzadiSportComplex.com]". Azadisportcomplex.com. 2001-04-03. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "Stadium List :: 100 000+ Stadiums". World Stadiums. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "ایسنا - تاج: امکانات بلیتفروشی الکترونیکی درگمرک مانده است/ کیروش در مواردی کوتاه آمده". Isna.ir. 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "Azadi Stadium - Tehran". Wikimapia.org. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "League table (overall)". Iplstats.com. 2005-12-27. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "League table (overall)". Iplstats.com. 2005-12-28. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "League table (overall)". Iplstats.com. 2005-12-29. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "League table (overall)". Iplstats.com. 2006-04-21. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "League table (overall)". Iplstats.com. 2007-05-28. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "League table (overall)". Iplstats.com. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ "League table (overall)". Iplstats.com. 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
- ↑ http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/news/230154/حاجیلو-رئیس-آکادمی-فوتبال-استقلال-شد
"استقلال پرطرفدارترین تیم ایران".
Official Website
Esteghlal Fans
News
- (English) FIFA Page
- (English) Goal Page
- (English) Futbol24 Page
- (Persian) Esteghlal-News
- (English) Soccerway Page
- (Persian) Parsfootball Page
- (English) Worldfootball Page
- (English) Footballdatabase Page
Achievements | ||
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Preceded by Maccabi Tel Aviv |
Champions of Asia 1970 |
Succeeded by Maccabi Tel Aviv |
Preceded by Liaoning FC |
Champions of Asia 1990–91 |
Succeeded by Al-Hilal |
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