FC Istiklol

Football Club Istiklol 
(), (; "Dastayi Futboli Istiqlol") is a Tajik professional football club based in Dushanbe. They currently compete in the Ligai Olii Tojikiston, the top flight of Tajik football. The club was founded to commemorate the Independence of Tajikistan. "Istiklol" in Tajik means "the independence" in English.
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 Kanat 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.
2010's.
In 2010, under coach Alimzhon Rafikov the team won the Super Cup, the national cup and league. In the first Tajikistan's 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.
2020's.
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 will face Persepolis.
Current squad.
Foreign players.
This is a list of foreign players who've played for Istiklol.
Famous players.
This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team.
Club officials.
Management team
Notable managers.
"Information correct as of match played 16 May 2021. Only competitive matches are counted."