Foolad Khuzestan the proud team from South of Iran has won the Persian Gulf League title in a dramatic last day of the season.
A goal by Team Melli defender Mehrdad Jamaati in the 37th minute of Foolad’s match against Gostarish in Tabriz , was enough for Hossein Faraki men to win the championship.
Foolad Khuzestan , a young team and well-known for its pedigree of producing talented young players , were chasing the title from the onset of the season , however a tough competition with Naft Tehran , Sepahan , Persepolis and Esteghlal was ensued until the last day of the season.
This is the second title won by Foolad Khuzestan , the first was in 2004-05 season. The team will be competing in the next season AFC Asian Champions league while Foolad is still very much alive in the current Champions league and has a good chance to qualify for the knock out rounds.
The season ended in a very sore note for the defending champions Esteghlal. After the loss to Tractorzasi 3-1 at home in Azadi on Friday, Esteghlal dropped to fifth and lost it spot in the AFC Champions League. It is the first time in 6 seasons that Esteghlal will not participate in this major continental clubs competition. The other big loser was Sepahan . The team from Esfahan which holds the a record 4 league titles lost its spot in the same competition despite defeating title contender Naft Tehran.
On the other hand, Persepolis will return back to the AFC Champions league for the first time after an absence of 3 seasons. Ali Daei’s men , despite huge financial problems managed to beat Esteghlal Khuzestan in the final day and climb to the second position.
Karim Ansarifard , Tractorsazi and Team Melli forward won the top scorer title with 14 goals
Final League Standing
Persian Gulf League Season 2013-14
|
# |
|
Team |
MP |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
D |
P |
Last 5 matches |
|
1 |
Foolad Khuzestan |
30 |
16 |
9 |
5 |
36 |
24 |
+12 |
57 |
||
|
2 |
Persepolis |
30 |
16 |
8 |
6 |
34 |
15 |
+19 |
55 |
||
|
3 |
Naft Tehran |
30 |
15 |
9 |
6 |
39 |
23 |
+16 |
54 |
||
|
4 |
Sepahan |
30 |
14 |
12 |
4 |
36 |
20 |
+16 |
54 |
||
|
5 |
Esteghlal |
30 |
15 |
9 |
6 |
34 |
25 |
+9 |
53 |
||
|
6 |
Tractor Sazi |
30 |
11 |
13 |
6 |
39 |
33 |
+6 |
45 |
||
|
7 |
Malavan |
30 |
13 |
6 |
11 |
40 |
33 |
+7 |
44 |
||
|
8 |
Saipa |
30 |
7 |
14 |
9 |
26 |
31 |
-5 |
35 |
||
|
9 |
Saba Qom |
30 |
8 |
9 |
13 |
32 |
38 |
-6 |
33 |
||
|
10 |
Gostaresh Fola… |
30 |
7 |
11 |
12 |
31 |
34 |
-3 |
32 |
||
|
11 |
Rah Ahan |
30 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
25 |
34 |
-9 |
31 |
||
|
12 |
Esteghlal Khuz… |
30 |
6 |
11 |
13 |
26 |
37 |
-11 |
29 |
||
|
13 |
Zob Ahan |
30 |
6 |
11 |
13 |
24 |
36 |
-12 |
29 |
||
|
14 |
Fajr Sepasi |
30 |
6 |
11 |
13 |
20 |
34 |
-14 |
29 |
||
|
15 |
Damash Gilan |
30 |
5 |
12 |
13 |
30 |
40 |
-10 |
26 |
||
|
16 |
Mes Kerman |
30 |
1 |
19 |
10 |
21 |
36 |
-15 |
22 |
List of League champions by season
2001–02 Persepolis
2002–03 Sepahan
2003–04 Pas Tehran
2004–05 Foolad Khuzestan
2005–06 Esteghlal
2006–07 Saipa
2007–08 Persepolis
2008–09 Esteghlal
2009–10 Sepahan Esfahan
2010–11 Sepahan Esfahan
2011–12 Sepahan Esfahan
2012–13 Esteghlal
2013-14 Foolad Khuzestan