AFC Champions League 2011

Top 4 football clubs of Esteghlal, Perspolis, Sepahan and ZobAhan advanced to the 2010-2011 Asian Champions League.

In the past few years, the clubs from the city of Isfahan have dramatically improved. They have brought in knowledgeable staff and committed personnel to build their organizations from scratch and by far they have exceeded expectations.



If you had asked anyone 10 years ago that who’d be the next league champion in Iran, without a doubt the answer would have been one of the three power houses of the capital which were Perspolis, Esteghlal or Pas.



But last year’s champion and runner up, both from the city of Isfahan, are the two team advancing from their staging groups in this year AFC Champions League. Sepahan and ZobAhan both not only have advanced but they have showed that they are two talented and powerful clubs.

This past week, ZobAhan and Sepahan beat their opponents with a statement. ZobAhan beat Al-Nasr of Saudi Arabia 4-1 and Sepahan destroyed Bonyadkar 3-1. Both showed why they belong among the best clubs in Asia and someday in the world. Sepahan style reminds me of back in a day Ajax of Amsterdam, when Johan Cruyff was the manager. He brought in the short pass, high accuracy, quick football that now Barcelona boss is perfecting it. It is enjoyable to see these two clubs advancing to the top 8th of Asian Champions League with this fashion.