Learn more about Foolad FC
Foolad (فولاد in Persian), literally meaning "steel", is an Iranian football club, based in Ahvaz, Khuzestan. It was named Foolad partially because it is funded by the industry in Khuzestan. The club contributed the highest number (six) of players to the national team during the Asian Cup 2004 in China, in particular during the quarter-final clash with South Korea, which ended 4-3 (in normal time) in favor of the then underdogs, Iran. In the 2004-05 season, Foolad became the champion of the fourth Iran Professional League (IPL), gaining a total of 64 points over 30 league matches. The majority of current squad players are under 25 years of age, making the club one of the youngest average-wise, among the IPL teams throughout the country.
[edit] Club history
Foolad was a team that no one knew anything about until the dissolution of Jonoub Ahvaz football team in 1996. Foolad had won the Ahvaz City Championship in 1991, and entered the 2nd division of the Khuzestan football league two years later. In 1995, which was Foolad's second year in the Khuzestan second division, they became provincial champions. That same year Jonoob Ahvaz FC, was contracted and Foolad took their place in Iran's 2nd division football league. In 1996, with Homayoun Shahrokhi as manager, the team was promoted to the first division. It was really an amazing run, considering that the team began in the 4th division of the Ahvaz City League in 1986. Ever since their promotion, the club has introduced very talented young footballers to Iranian football. The team was eventually bought by the Ahvaz Steel Mill, this helped the team's financial situation improve. The team was finally able to use its massive potential and win the IPL in the 2004/05 season but unfortunately due to some ensuing internal problems and coaching difficulties could not perform well in the 2006 Asian Champions League. Their star player and MVP of their championship season was loaned and eventually transferred to Al-Shabbab in the UAE. The club also had to change the location of its home field, due to renovations, instead playing in neighbouring city, Abadan's Takhti Stadium. Foolad now looks to a new start under the recently-appointed former national team head coach Mohammad Mayeli Kohan in the forthcoming IPL season.
[edit] Season-by-season
The table below chronicles the achievements of Foolad every season, from 1996 to the present day.
| Season
| League
| League Finishing Position
| Hazfi Cup
|
| 1996-1997
| 2nd Division
| ?
|
|
| 1997-1998
| Azadegan League
| 10th
|
|
| 1998-1999
| Azadegan League
| 7th
|
|
| 1999-2000
| Azadegan League
| 10th
|
|
| 2000-2001
| Azadegan League
| 8th
| 1/8 Final
|
| 2001-2002
| Iran Premier League
| 3rd
| Quarterfinal
|
| 2002-2003
| Iran Premier League
| 7th
|
|
| 2003-2004
| Iran Premier League
| 3rd
| 1/8 Final
|
| 2004-2005
| Iran Premier League
| 1st (Champions)
|
|
| 2005-2006
| Iran Premier League
| 8th
| 1/16 Final
|
[edit] Club honors
[edit] 2006/2007 Squad
The numbers are established according to Iranian Pro League Stats
As of September 2 2006
[edit] Squad changes during 2006/07 season
In:
Out:
[edit] Famous players
[edit] External links
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