Rewritten Title: Capital Clubs Clash Beyond Tehran: A Look at Esteghlal’s Out-of-Town Derby Record
Article:
A Derby on the Road
The intense Tehran derby between Esteghlal and Persepolis, a fixture usually held in the capital, is set for another chapter outside its traditional home. As part of the 12th week of the Persian Gulf Pro League, the match will be hosted in the city of Arak, marking the fourth time this historic clash has taken place beyond Tehran’s borders.
A History of Stalemates
A review of the previous three out-of-town derbies reveals a pattern where Esteghlal has struggled to secure a win in regular play.
- 1995 in Bandar Abbas: The first such encounter ended in a 0-0 draw. This semi-final return leg of the Azadegan League was held under tight security, with Esteghlal eventually advancing on disciplinary grounds after a previous match was abandoned.
- 2003 in Tabriz: Due to the unavailability of Tehran’s main stadium, the match was moved to the Yadegar-e Emam Stadium in Tabriz. The game ended 1-1. Esteghlal’s Ali Samereh scored an early goal, but Persepolis defender Ali Ansarian equalized in the second half.
- 2024 in Arak: The most recent encounter, also in Arak, ended with a 1-0 victory for Persepolis. The sole goal came from a late penalty, converted by Mohammad Hossein Kanaani-zadegan.
The Quest for a Breakthrough
The historical data highlights a particular challenge for Esteghlal: in these three matches played away from Tehran, the team has not managed a victory in regular time. The only goal scored by Esteghlal from open play was Ali Samereh’s early strike in the 2003 match. Interestingly, Persepolis’s two goals in these fixtures have both come from penalties taken by defenders.
The Stage is Set for Arak
As the teams prepare to face off once again in Arak, all eyes will be on the two foreign managers at the helm. A key difference this time is that Persepolis will be the designated host. The upcoming match presents Esteghlal with an opportunity to change its out-of-town narrative, while Persepolis will look to continue its momentum in one of Iranian football’s most anticipated fixtures.