[custom_adv] the well-known English football magazine World Soccer in its December issue has reviewed 50 greatest football rivalries, among which the match between persian clubs Esteghlal and Persepolis is cited as the most exciting club game in Asia. [custom_adv] The article includes the world’s biggest club games and international matches such as Germany vs. the Netherlands and Japan vs. South Korea, Varzesh3.com reported. [custom_adv] It describes the capital derby, a football match between two top teams from the same area, as “the biggest derby in Asian club football which takes place between capital’s two biggest outfits and regularly attracts crowds of more than 100,000 to the Azadi Stadium, which they share”. [custom_adv] The clubs first played each other in 1968. Over time, the rivalry become more heated and because of the sensitive nature of the matches, violence by the fanatic fans, like elsewhere in the world, has occurred several times. [custom_adv] From 1995 to 2009 foreign referees were invited to officiate, to reduce the likelihood of bias or claims thereof in favor of one side or the other. [custom_adv] Taking place at least twice during the year via the Persian Gulf Pro League fixtures, the rivalry has extended to the Knockout Cup Competition as well as minor tournaments and friendlies. [custom_adv] As of October 30, 2015, there were 75 competitive first-class meetings between the two teams since the first league meeting in 1969. [custom_adv] In all 81 competitive and non-competitive meetings since 1968, Esteghlal has won 24 and Persepolis 19.For the derby in October 1983, an estimated 128,000 entered the 100,000-capacity Azadi Stadium west of the capital. [custom_adv] So many fans were in attendance that some were forced to climb the metal base of the stadium floodlights. None of the derby matches to this date have had a higher attendance. [custom_adv] According to the Football Federation of homeland, Esteghlal and Perspolis have the highest number of supporters across the country. [custom_adv] The 2018–19 season was the Esteghlal Football Club's 18th season in the homeland Pro League, and their 25nd consecutive season in the top division of persian football. They also competed in the Hazfi Cup, and 73th year in existence as a football club. [custom_adv] Derby , also known as Red-Blue Derby is a football match between the two prominent capital clubs Esteghlal capital and Persepolis . [custom_adv] It is widely considered the major crosstown derby in the Persian Gulf Pro League. This match was declared as the most important derby in Asia and 22nd most important derby in the world in June 2008 by World Soccer magazine. [custom_adv] The most consecutive number of games (only considering Persian Gulf Pro League and the Hazfi Cup) that was won by one of the two teams belongs to Esteghlal, who won four matches in a row against Persepolis in the Persian Gulf Pro League and the Hazfi Cup during 2010 to 2012. Indeed, the match 72 in the chart below happened between the third and fourth match of this series and was a draw. [custom_adv] The first derby match between the teams took place on April 5, 1968, at Amjadieh Stadium, where the game finished as a scoreless draw. [custom_adv] At the time, Esteghlal was known as Taj SC. Both clubs were relatively young but Persepolis had a solid fan base, because of its close association to the once popular Shahin club. [custom_adv] The rivalry between Shahin and Taj was transferred to its current stage when the Shahin club had to cease operations due to poor relations with the IFF. [custom_adv] Over time, the rivalry became more heated and club fans began attaining collective identities. By the mid-1970s Persepolis was seen as a working class club, while Taj was viewed as a club close to the ruling establishment and supported by the upper class of persian society. [custom_adv] Persepolis fans outnumbered Esteghlal fans by large numbers at the time.Due to the sensitive nature of the matches, fan violence has occurred several times. [custom_adv] In minor cases, fans break chairs or throw garbage at the field, but in some cases, fans have stormed the field of play, physical fights between opposing teams and fans have broken out, and public property has been destroyed [custom_adv] Ever since 1995, federation officials have invited foreign referees to officiate the game to ease fan and player suspicions of referee bias. This occurred after the events of the 38th derby (see below). [custom_adv] Azadi Stadium has been the stadium where most of the matches took place, but Amjadieh Stadium (now Shiroudi) , Azadi Stadium in and Sahand Stadium in Tabriz have all hosted the game at least once. [custom_adv] Hassan Rowshan from Esteghlal F.C., at the age of 18 years and 357 days is yet the youngest player ever who has scored a goal in the Tehran derby. He scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Persepolis F.C. on May 25, 1974. Ali Alipour, at the age of 19 years and 185 days, became the youngest Persepolis F.C. player ever to score in derby. He scored the only goal in their 1–0 victory on May 15, 2015.
