FC Istiklol
Introduction '''Football Club Istiklol'''(,  ) is a Tajik professional football club owned by Maldivian Conglomerate Maziya. Founded in 2007, the club competes in the Ligai Olii Tojikiston, the top flight of Tajik football league system. It was founded to commemorate the Independence of Tajikistan; ''Istiklol'' in Tajik means 'independence'.
History ===Early years (2007–2009)===Istiklol Dushanbe was established in November 2007, under the Presidency of Shohruh Saidov. In 2008, Istiklol competed in the Dushanbe Group of the Second Division under the guidance of head coach Kanoat Latifov, winning all 30 league games with a +154 goal difference and winning promotion to the Tajik League.In 2009, in their debut in the Tajik League, led by new head coach Salohiddin Gafurov, the team finished fourth. The team had some experienced players and some young players mostly from Tajikistan national under-17 football team that won bronze in AFC U-17 Championship 2006 and reached round 16 at 2007 FIFA U-17 World Championship, winning two trophies – the traditional winter-spring tournament ''Rustam Doltabaev'' and the Tajik Cup. Dilshod Vasiev scored the club's first Tajik League goal in their 2–0 victory over Ravshan Kulob on 4 April 2009.===2010s===In 2010, under coach Alimzhon Rafikov the team won the Super Cup, the national cup and league. In the first Tajik Super Cup, defeating three-time national champion Vakhsh Qurghonteppa 2–0, following two goals from Dilshod Vasiev in extra time. In the final of the 2010 Tajik Cup, which traditionally takes place on October 5 – the birthday of the country's President Emomali Rahmon, Istiqlol with large score 5–0 defeated FK Khujand. Following victory in the 2010 Tajik League, FC Istiqlol qualified for the first time for both the CIS Cup and the 2011 AFC President's Cup. On 20 March 2012, Istiklol's contract with Rafikov had expired at the end of the 2011 season and they had decided not to renew it, with Mubin Ergashev taking over in a caretaker capacity.As of January 2014 the club's manager has been Mubin Ergashev.On 22 November 2015, Manuel Bleda scored the club's 500th league goal. Istiklol's 4–2 victory over Barki Tajik on 17 April 2016, saw the club stretch their unbeaten run in the Tajik League to 40 games, with their last defeat occurring in November 2013 against Khayr Vahdat. During this run Istiklol have scored 146 goals, conceding just 17.Also, the team was qualified for the 2015 AFC Cup final against Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. of Malaysia, in which both teams were the finalist for the first time in the competition. Istiklol were defeated by the team with the score of 1–0 on the home soil in Dushanbe.On 10 July 2016, Istiklol fired their entire coaching staff, including manager Mubin Ergashev. Three days later, 13 July 2016, Istiklol announced Nikola Lazarevic as their new manager.On 25 September 2016, Istiklol suffered their first League defeat since 3 November 2013, a stretch of 51 games, 2–1 away to Ravshan Kulob. On 29 October 2016, Istiklol defeated Barki Tajik 5–1, to claim their fifth Tajik League title. Two days later, 31 October 2016, Istiklol announced that they had appointed Mukhsin Mukhamadiev for the 2017 season. On 18 September 2017, Istiklol defeated Panjshir 5–0 to secure their sixth Tajik League title. On 18 October 2017, Istiklol drew 2–2 with Bengaluru in the second leg of their Inter-zone play-off final, progressing to the final of the AFC Cup for the second time in three seasons. On 4 November 2017, Istiklol were defeated 1–0 by Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya thanks to a second half Emad Mohsin goal.After being knocked out of the 2018 AFC Cup at the group stage, manager Mukhsin Mukhamadiev resigned as manager six-days later on 22 May 2018, with Alisher Tukhtaev being appointed as acting head coach.On 3 December 2018, Khakim Fuzailov was announced as Istiklol's new manager. Fuzailov resigned as manager of Istiklol on 27 June 2019 after they failed to progress from the group stages of the AFC Cup, with Alisher Tukhtaev being appointed as Caretaker Manager in his place. On 27 September 2019, Istiklol beat Kuktosh 6–1, to secure their eighth Tajik League title. On 24 November 2019, Istiklol won 4–2 penalties to clinch their eighth Tajik Cup title.===2020s===On 21 January 2020, Istiklol defeated Lokomotiv Tashkent 1–0, to win their first ever AFC Champions League match.After Mubin Ergashev took charge of Istiklol for their two AFC Champions League matches, Vitaliy Levchenko was appointed as the club's new manager on 17 February 2020, with Alisher Tukhtaev returning to an assistants role.On 10 September 2020, the 2020 AFC Cup was cancelled. 10 days later, 20 September 2020, Istiklol drew 1–1 with Khatlon to secure their ninth league title and seventh in a row.On 13 April, Istiklol announced former manager Mubin Ergashev as their interim manager for their AFC Champions League group games due to having the required Pro Coaching License Vitaliy Levchenko did not. Istiklol finished their first AFC Champions League group stage top of their group, which included Al Hilal, Shabab Al Ahli and AGMK, qualifying for the knockout stage where they faced Persepolis.On 21 June 2021, Ryota Noma scored the club's 800th league goal. On 21 November 2021, Istiklol defeated Dushanbe-83 8–0 to secure their 10th league title, and 8th in a row.On 27 June 2022, Vitaly Levchenko and his coaching staff left Istiklol after their contracts expired, with Assistant Manager Alisher Tukhtaev being placed in interim charger.On 29 October 2022, Alisher Tukhtaev guided Istiklol to their ninth Tajik Cup title with a 5–3 victory on penalties over Kuktosh Rudaki after the match finished 2-2.Six days later, 4 November 2022, Istiklol beat Khatlon 1-0 to secure their 11th Tajikistan Higher League title, and 9th in a row.Persepolis in the 2023 AFC champions league at Azadi Stadium.On 18 January 2023, Igor Cherevchenko was appointed as the new Head Coach of Istiklol on a one-year contract.On 1 November 2023, Istiklol defeated Ravshan Kulob 4-2 on penalties in the 2023 Tajikistan Cup Final, after an initial 1-1 draw, to claim their 10th Tajikistan Cup title. A month later, on 1 December 2023, Istiklol defeated Kuktosh Rudaki 4-1 to secure their 10th league title in a row, and 12th overall.On 11 February 2024, Istiklol announced that Igor Cherevchenko, Yuri Baturenko, Alisher Tukhtaev and Lilia Sidorkina had all left the club after their contracts had expired.===Sponsorship=== Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor2010–2012Li-Ning2013–2016JomaDushanbe International Airport2017–2019Avesto2020–Siyoma===Domestic history=== Season League Tajik Cup Top goalscorer Manager Div. Pos. Pl. W D L GS GA P Name League20082nd'''1st'''30300018628'''90''' -Khudoidod Nusratov85 Kanat Latifov20091st'''4th'''1811344118'''36''''''Winner'''Yusuf Rabiev14 Kanat Latifov   Salohiddin Ghafurov20101st'''1st'''3226607617'''84''''''Winner'''Yusuf Rabiev30 Salohiddin Ghafurov   Alimzhon Rafikov20111st'''1st'''40353213016'''108''''''Runner-Up'''Yusuf Rabiev32 Alimzhon Rafikov20121st'''3rd'''2416537613'''53''''''Runner-Up'''Dilshod Vasiev24 Mubin Ergashev (Caretaker)   Nikola Kavazović20131st'''2nd'''181413478'''46''''''Winner'''Dilshod Vasiev10 Nikola Kavazović   Oleg Shirinbekov20141st'''1st'''1816206510'''50''''''Winner'''Dilshod Vasiev15 Mubin Ergashev20151st'''1st'''181620695'''50''''''Winner'''Manuchekhr Dzhalilov22 Mubin Ergashev20161st'''1st'''1814316720'''45''''''Winner'''Manuchekhr Dzhalilov22 Mubin Ergashev   Nikola Lazarevic20171st'''1st'''2117406414'''55''''''Runner-Up'''Dilshod Vasiev16 Mukhsin Mukhamadiev20181st'''1st'''2116323616'''51''''''Winner'''Sheriddin Boboev12 Mukhsin Mukhamadiev   Alisher Tukhtaev (Caretaker)20191st'''1st'''2116326119'''51''''''Winner'''Sheriddin Boboev16 Khakim Fuzailov   Alisher Tukhtaev (Caretaker)20201st'''1st'''1814316111'''45'''QuarterfinalManuchekhr Dzhalilov16 Vitaliy Levchenko20211st'''1st'''272151789'''68''''''Runner-Up'''Manuchekhr Dzhalilov18 Vitaliy Levchenko20221st'''1st'''2214624613'''48''''''Winner'''Manuchekhr Dzhalilov16 Vitaliy Levchenko   Alisher Tukhtaev (Caretaker)20231st'''1st'''2216425612'''52''''''Winner'''Alisher Dzhalilov13 Igor Cherevchenko===Continental history=== Competition Pld W D L GF GA AFC President's Cup 10 6 3 1 20 7 AFC Cup 42 19 10 13 69 55 AFC Champions League 22 5 4 13 21 33 AFC Champions League 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 '''Total''' '''74''' '''30''' '''17''' '''27''' '''110''' '''95''' Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate2011AFC President's CupGroup B  Jabal Al Mukaber 2–0 '''1st'''  Yeedzin 8–0  Yadanarbon 1–1Final Stage  Group A  Taipower FC 0–2 '''3rd'''  Balkan 1–12012AFC President's CupGroup C  Markaz Shabab Al-Am'ari 1–0 '''1st'''  Balkan 2–1Final Stage  Group A  Dordoi Bishkek 2–0 '''1st'''  Phnom Penh Crown 1–1Final  Markaz Shabab Al-Am'ari 2–12015AFC CupGroup C  Qadsia 2–0 2–2 '''1st'''  Ahal 5–2 2–1  Erbil 0–0 1–3Round of 16  Al-Wahda 1–1 (p)Quarter-finals  Pahang 4–0 1–3 '''5–3'''Semi-finals  Al-Kuwait w/o 0–4 '''w/o'''Final  Johor Darul Ta'zim 0–12016AFC CupGroup B  Naft Al-Wasat 0–1 0–2 '''4th'''  Al-Faisaly 0–0 2–4  Tripoli 1–3 0–12017AFC CupGroup D  Altyn Asyr 1–0 1–1 '''1st'''  Alay Osh 3–1 4–1  Dordoi Bishkek 2–0 4–1Inter-zone play-off semi-final  Ceres Negros 4–0 1–1 '''5–1'''Inter-zone play-off final  Bengaluru 1–0 2–2 '''3–2'''Final  Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 0–12018AFC CupGroup D  Alay Osh 1–0 3–2 '''2nd'''  Altyn Asyr 2–3 2–2  Ahal 1–0 1–02019AFC Champions LeaguePreliminary round 2  AGMK 2–42019AFC CupGroup D  Dordoi Bishkek 4–1 1–2 '''2nd'''  Altyn Asyr 1–1 1–1  Khujand 3–0 2–32020AFC Champions LeaguePreliminary round 2  Lokomotiv Tashkent 1–0Play-off round  Al-Ahli 0–12020AFC CupGroup D  Dordoi Bishkek   -   Altyn Asyr    Khujand 2–0 2021AFC Champions LeagueGroup A  Al Hilal 4–1 1–3 '''1st'''  Shabab al-Ahli 0–0 1–0  AGMK 1–2 3–2Round of 16  Persepolis 0–12022AFC Champions LeagueGroup A  Al Hilal 0–3 0–1 '''4th'''  Al-Rayyan 2–3 0–1  Sharjah 2–0 1–22023–24AFC Champions LeagueGroup E  Persepolis 1–1 0–2 '''4th'''  Al-Duhail 0–0 0–2  Al Nassr 1–1 1–32024–25AFC Champions League 2Group ?     ''' '''
Honours ===Team===; Tajik League (12) ('''record''') : 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.2023; Tajikistan Cup (10) ('''record'''): 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023; Tajik Supercup (11) ('''record'''): 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022;TFF Cup (6): 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021; AFC President's Cup: '''Winners (1)''' 2012; AFC Cup : Runners-up (2): 2015, 2017===Individual===* Tajikistan's Most Valuable Player of year 2010: Yusuf Rabiev* Tajikistan Best defender award for year 2010: Eraj Rajabov* Tajikistan's Coach of year 2010: Alimzhon Rafikov
Current squad ===Notable players===Had international caps for their respective countries. Players whose name is listed in '''bold''' represented their countries while playing for Istiklol.Foreign players who've played for Istiklol. ;Tajikistan;Former USSR countries;South America;Europe;Asia;Africa
Club officials '''Management team'''*Sporting director: Nuriddin Davronov. *Head coach: Vacant*Assistant coach: Vacant*Coach: Vacant*Goalkeeping coach: Dmytro Tyapushkin*Youth Team Manager: Rustam Kurbanov*Youth Team assistant Manager: Daler Kayosov*Administrator: Odil Irgashev*Doctor: Farrukh Avezov*Physiotherapist: Erkin Dodojonov*Rehabilitologist: Vacant
Records ===Top goalscorers===NameYearsLeagueTajikistan CupTajik SupercupAsiaTotal1  '''Manuchekhr Dzhalilov'''2  Dilshod Vasiyev3  Khudoidod Nusratov4  Yusuf Rabiev5  Fatkhullo Fatkhulloyev6  '''Alisher Dzhalilov'''7  Sheriddin Boboev8  Rustam Soirov9  '''Ehson Panjshanbe'''10 '''Shervoni Mabatshoev'''===Managers===''Information correct as of match played 15 December 2023.Only competitive matches are counted. ''NameNat.FromToPWDLGSGA%WHonoursNotesNikola KavazovićJanuary 2012June 2013AFC Presidents Cup (1), Tajik Supercup (1)Oleg ShirinbekovJuly 201313 January 2014Tajik Cup (1)Mubin Ergashev13 January 201410 July 2016Tajik League (2), Tajik Cup (2), Tajik Supercup (3)Nikola Lazarevic13 July 201631 December 2016Tajik League (1), Tajik Cup (1)Mukhsin Mukhamadiev1 January 201722 May 2018Tajik League (1), Tajik Supercup (1)Alisher Tukhtaev (Caretaker)22 May 20183 December 2018Tajik League (1), Tajik Cup (1)Khakim Fuzailov3 December 201827 June 2019Tajik Supercup (1)Alisher Tukhtaev 27 June 201931 December 2019Tajik League (1)Mubin Ergashev1 January 202017 February 2020Vitaliy Levchenko17 February 202027 June 2022Tajik Supercup (2)  Tajikistan Higher League (2)Mubin Ergashev 13 April 202114 September 2021Mubin Ergashev 8 April 202228 April 2022Alisher Tukhtaev 27 June 202218 January 2023Tajikistan Higher League (1)  Tajik Cup (1)Igor Cherevchenko18 January 202311 February 2024Tajikistan Higher League (1)  Tajik Cup (1)*'''Notes:'''
See also * Esteghlal* Esteghlal Ahvaz* Esteghlal Khuzestan
References
External links *  ( archived 13 January 2011)