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Azadegan League

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This article is about the Iranian 1st division league. For the top division league prior to 2001, see Iran Pro League.
Azadegan League
File:Azleague.jpg
Founded1991 officially
2001 with current format
Country Iran
ConfederationAFC
Divisions2
Number of teams28
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toIran Pro League
Relegation to2nd Division
Domestic cup(s)Hazfi Cup
Current championsPaykan
(2011–12)
TV partnersIRIB
Websitewww.lig1.ir
Current: 2011-12 season

The Azadegan League (Persian: ليگ آزادگان) also called Division 1 (Formerly known as Second Division) is the second-highest division overall in the Iranian football league system after the Iran Pro League.

Up until 2001 the league was the top football league in Iran, but that changed when the Iranian Football Federation decided to start a professional league. The IPL was created and the Azadegan League became the second highest division in the Iranian football league system.

History

The league was founded in 1989 as the Qods League. In 1991 it was renamed the Azadegan League in honor of the Iranian prisoners of war who were released.[clarification needed] Esteghlal was its first champion. For the first time in ten years Iran finally had a national league again. The number of teams playing in the league varied from year to year. Pas and Saipa dominated the league in the first four years. Pas and Esteghlal both were able to capture Asian Club Championships in the early 1990s. By the mid-90s Persepolis and Esteghlal regained their dominant form. The league championship every year between 1995-2001 was either Esteghlal or Persepolis. The two clubs always had the most talented players in Iran, the national team consisted mainly of Persepolis and Esteghlal players, and some of the greatest talents Iranian football has seen were discovered during this period.

Hazfi Cup

All teams in the Azadegan League are entered in the Hazfi Cup, if they win the cup they are permitted to play in the AFC Champions League. But, a Azadegan League team, winning the Hazfi Cup has never happened.

Format

The Azadegan League consists of two subdivisions, each having 14 teams. The top two teams in each group have a playoff tournament at the end of the season in which home and away games take place. The top two point getters are then promoted to the IPL, with the top team being declared the Azadegan League champion. The eleventh and twelfth placed teams in the groups are automatically relegated to the 2nd division. Sometimes the playoff match format is not used and one match takes place between the teams on a neutral ground instead.

The top two teams from the two 2nd division groups are promoted to the Azadegan League.

Azadegan League 2011-12

In total, the following 28 teams will compete in 2011–12 Azadegan League Season.

Last updated:02.08.2011

League Champions

2nd Division Champions

Azadegan League Champions, 2001-

Top Goal Scorer

All-time top scorers

last update: February 14, 2010

Season Player Goals Club
2005-06 Iran Hossein Abdi 14 Sanaye Arak
2006-07 Iran Farhad Kheirkhah 11 Sorkhpooshan
2007-08 Iran Mohammad Parvin 15 Steel Azin
2008-09 Iran Abbas Porkhosravani 17 Gol Gohar
2009-10 Iran Ali Karimi 17 Sha. Tabriz
2010-11 Iran Afshin Chavoshi 13 Damash Gilan
Iran Mostafa Shojaei 13 Foolad Natanz
Iran Moslem Firoozabadi 13 Gol Gohar
2011-12 Iran Bahman Tahmasebi 13 Aluminum

See also

References

  1. ^ [1] (ISNA Website)
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