2020–21 Iran Football's 3rd Division

The article contains information about the 2020–21 Iran 3rd Division football season. This is the 4th rated football league in Iran after the Persian Gulf Cup, Azadegan League, and 2nd Division. The league started on 5 December 2020.[1]

Iran Football's 3rd Division
Season2020–21
PromotedShahrdari Noshahr
Shahid Oraki Eslamshahr
Van Pars Naghsh-e-Jahan
Shohadaye Razakan Karaj
Matches played653
Goals scored1,587 (2.43 per match)
Biggest home winSohan Mohammad Qom 13-1 Kia Pars Tehran
Biggest away winDamavand Amol 1-8 Moghavemat Tehran

In total 85 teams (65 teams in the first stage in 5 groups, 20 teams in second stage) competed in this season's competitions.

The challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic in Iran made some calendar changes in previous season's final matches. Therefore, this season started later than usual time.

First stage

The top 2 teams from each group advance to the Second Stage. The teams ranked 3rd, 4th and 5th in each group (total 15 teams) are eligible to play in the First Round of next season. The teams ranked 6th and lower relegate to Provincial Leagues.

Qualified teams

Teams which are eligible to play in this round are as follows:[2]

Relegated from 2nd Division (1 team):

  • Karoon Arvand Khoramshahr (Replaced by Esteghlal Danial Shoosh)

Relegated from 3rd Division – 2nd Stage (6 teams):

  • Kian Tehran (Replaced by Kian Arak)
  • Damavand Amol (Replaced by Shahid Bagheri Goyom Fars)
  • Khalij Fars Minab
  • Negin Sanabad Mashhad (Replaced by Aseman Mashhad)
  • Setareh Sorkh Kashan
  • Esteghlal Ahvaz

Remaining from 3rd Division – 1st Stage (18 teams):

  • Abi Delan Boneh Gaz (Replaced by Khalij Fars Mahshahr)
  • Bargh Ara Alborz (Replaced by Shahr Ahan Khaf)
  • Darya Babol (Replaced by Kia Academy Tehran)
  • Darya Harbadeye Mahmoudabad
  • Farhang Karaj (Replaced by Mardan Pasha Karaj)
  • Foolad Hormozgan
  • Hermas Fateh Shiran Tabriz (Replaced by Setaregan Azhand Azerbaijan)
  • Kavian Naghadeh
  • Naft Iranian Tehran
  • Oghab Shiraz
  • Perspolis Dezfool
  • Rezvani Esfahan
  • Roz Mooket Boroujen
  • Sanat Foolad Koohestan Esfahan
  • Setare Caspian Babol (Replaced by Shahrvand Noor)
  • Shahid Oraki Eslamshahr
  • Shahrdari Fereydoonkenar
  • Shahrvand Ramsar

Promoted from Provincial Leagues (34 teams):

  • Setaregan Simorgh Alborz (Alborz)
  • Shahrdari Bilehsavar (Ardebil)
  • Kanyav Oshnavieh (Azarbayejan Gharbi)
  • Oghab Tabriz (Azarbayejan Sharghi)
  • Piroozi Begin Khoormooj (Boushehr)
  • Shahin Lordegan (Chaharmahal & Bakhtiyari)
  • Stock Marvdasht (Fars)
  • Sardar Jangal Gourab (Gilan)
  • Esteghlal Aliabad (Golestan)
  • Keshavarz Nahavand (Hamedan)
  • Harang Javan Bastak (Hormozgan)
  • Shohadaye Chavar 65 (Ilam)
  • Van Pars Naghsh-e-Jahan (Isfahan)
  • Omid Avaran Kerman (Kerman)
  • Setaregan Kermanshah (Kermanshah)
  • Badamak Qaen (Khorasan Jonoubi)
  • Shariat Novin Mashhad(Khorasan Razavi)
  • Payam Entezar Bojnourd (Khorasan Shomali)
  • Farhang Ramhormoz (Khouzestan)
  • Esteghlal Kish (Kish)
  • Shohadaye Il Bahmaei (Kohgiluye & Boyer Ahmad)
  • Shohadaye Garous Bijar (Kordestan)
  • Shahrdari Boroujerd (Lorestan)
  • Aluminium Pars Saveh (Markazi)
  • Moghavemat Jooybar (Mazandaran)
  • Safir Novin Abyek (Qazvin)
  • Sohan Mohammad Qom (Qom)
  • Siman Shahrood (Semnan)
  • Shahin Zahedan (Sistan & Balouchestan)
  • Shahin Tehran (Tehran)
  • Damash Parseh Tehran (Tehran's runner-up)
  • Kia Pars Tehran (Tehran Suburbs)
  • Sang Ahan Bafgh (Yazd)
  • Arya Minoo Khorramdareh (Zanjan)

Free slots (6 teams):

  • Khorshid Mehr Ghorveh
  • Moghavemat Tehran
  • Nikan Tehran
  • Pardis Khorramabad
  • Perspolis Borazjan
  • Zobahan Ardebil

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Moghavemat Tehran128132510+1525Promotion to Second Stage
2Kian Arak12813199+1025
3Damash Parseh Tehran12732227+1524
4Shariat Novin Mashhad127322210+1224
5Darya Harabdeh Mahmoudabad12633012−1221
6Esteghlal Aliabad126331914+521Relegation to Provincial Leagues 2021–22
7Siman Shahrood12534159+618
8Aseman Mashhad125251416−217
9Moghavemat Jooybar124441610+616
10Shahrvand Noor12345014−1413
11Payam Entezar Bojnourd12138829−216
12Badamak Qaen12129723−165
13Shahr Ahan Khaf121011236−343
Updated to match(es) played on 28 March 2021. Source: [3]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Mardan Pasha Karaj12723168+823Promotion to Second Stage
2Shahid Oraki Eslamshahr12561157+821
3Sohan Mohammad Qom126152514+1119
4Setaregan Simorgh Alborz12543189+919
5Arya Minoo Khorramdareh125431815+319
6Shahrvand Ramsar126151111019Relegation to Provincial Leagues 2021–22
7Shahin Tehran125341511+418
8Sardar Jangal Gourab125341310+318
9Aluminium Pars Saveh124351112−115
10Shahrdari Fereydoonkenar123451014−413
11Kia Pars Tehran122551025−1511
12Solduz Naghadeh122461218−610
13Safir Novin Abyek122281232−208
Updated to match(es) played on 18 March 2021. Source: [4]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


Group C

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Naft Iranian Tehran12921205+1529Promotion to Second Stage
2Kanyav Oshnavieh12741176+1125
3Shohadaye Garous Bijar128131714+325
4Keshavarz Nahavand127232610+1623
5Kavian Naghadeh126421610+622
6Nikan Mehr Tehran125341713+418Relegation to Provincial Leagues 2021–22
7Setaregan Azhand Azerbaijan12525129+317
8Kia Academy Tehran124531717017
9Shahrdari Bilehsavar124171525−1013
10Ohadi Maragheh123271827−911
11Oghab Tabriz12228925−168
12Khorshid Mehr Ghorveh12138616−106
13Zobahan Ardebil121110518−134
Updated to match(es) played on 18 March 2021. Source: [5]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


Group D

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Farhang Ramhormoz127322010+1024Promotion to Second Stage
2Khalij Fars Mahshahr12651246+1823
3Perspolis Borazjan126332012+821
4Piroozi Negin Khoormooj12552105+520
5Pardis Khorramabad125431612+419
6Shahrdari Boroujerd125341613+318Relegation to Provincial Leagues 2021–22
7Setaregan Kermanshah125251619−317
8Shahin Lordegan125251521−617
9Perspolis Dezfool124441610+616
10Pouya Shoosh123361418−412
11Shohadaye Il Bahmaei123361026−1612
12Shohadaye Chavar 6512327515−1011
13Roz Mooket Boroujen12039621−153
Updated to match(es) played on 18 March 2021. Source: [6]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


Group E

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Van Pars Naghsh-e-Jahan11722228+1423Promotion to Second Stage
2Khalij Fars Minab117131610+622
3Oghab Shiraz11623148+620
4Foolad Hormozgan11542197+1219
5Shahid Bagheri Goyom Fars11614139+419
6Stock Marvdasht11533128+418Relegation to Provincial Leagues 2021–22
7Sanat Foolad Koohestan Esfahan115241619−317
8Harang Javan Bastak114341513+215
9Sang Ahan Bafgh113351617−112
10Omid Avaran Kerman113351011−112
11Esteghlal Kish11119727−204Relegation to Provincial 2nd Division 2021–22
12Rezvani Esfahan11038225−233
13Shahin Zahedan00000000
Updated to match(es) played on 18 March 2021. Source: [7]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


Second stage

Second Stage started in April 2021 and finished on August 10, 2021.[8]

Qualified teams

Relegated from 2nd Division (3 teams):

  • Shahrdari Fooman
  • Besat Kermanshah
  • Shohadaye Razakan Karaj

Remaining teams from last season (17 teams):

  • 04 Birjand (Replaced by Omid Vahdat Birjand)
  • Bargh 3 Faz Shiraz (Replaced by Iman Sabz Shiraz)
  • Boyer Ahmad Yasouj (Replaced by Benyamin Varzesh Tehran)
  • Esteghlal Shoosh
  • Farhang Isar Astara
  • Mohajer Novin Mashhad
  • Parag Tehran
  • PAS Gilan
  • Pishgaman Fonoon Pars Tehran
  • Javan Novin Sari
  • Sepahan Novin Isfahan
  • Sepahan Novin Izeh
  • Shahid Molayi Ghaemshahr (Replaced by Damavand Amol)
  • Shahrdari Noshahr
  • Tazan Tehran (Replaced by Artam Tabriz)
  • Yazd Looleh
  • Zolfaghar Kashan (Replaced by Sanat Abrisham Isfahan)

Promoted from 1st Stage (10 teams):

  • Moghavemat Tehran
  • Mardan Pasha Karaj
  • Naft Iranian Tehran
  • Farhang Ramhormoz
  • Van Pars Naghsh-e-Jahan
  • Kian Arak
  • Shahid Oraki Eslamshahr
  • Kanyav Oshnavieh
  • Khalij Fars Mahshahr
  • Khalij Fars Minab

Group 1

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Shahrdari Noshahr1811523011+1938Promotion to 2021-22 Iran Football's 2nd Division
2Omid Vahdat Birjand189632815+1333Promotion to Play-off
3Shohadaye Razakan Karaj1810352716+1133
4Mardan Pasha Karaj187561414026
5Moghavemat Tehran187473524+1125
6Javan Novin Sari186752214+825
7Mohajer Novin Mashhad187472119+225
8Pishgaman Fonoon Pars186571822−423Relegation to 3rd Division - 1st Stage 2021–22
9Parag Tehran1825111338−2511
10Damavand Amol1814131045−357
Updated to match(es) played on 10 August 2021. Source: [9]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


Group 2

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Shahid Oraki Eslamshahr1810442415+934Promotion to 2021-22 Iran Football's 2nd Division
2Artam Tabriz1861111812+629Promotion to Play-off
3Naft Iranian Tehran188552218+429
4Shahrdari Fooman188462019+128
5Besat Kermanshah187562118+326
6Kian Arak186752524+125
7Benyamin Varzesh Tehran1871102427−322
8Kanyav Oshnavieh186482024−422Relegation to 3rd Division - 1st Stage 2021–22
9Farhang Isar Astara1853101419−518
10PAS Gilan1834111325−1213
Updated to match(es) played on 10 August 2021. Source: [10]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


Group 3

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Van Pars Naghsh-e-Jahan1811342716+1136Promotion to 2021-22 Iran Football's 2nd Division
2Khalij Fars Mahshahr1810533015+1535Promotion to Play-off
3Sepahan Novin Isfahan189453721+1631
4Iman Sabz Shiraz187742121028
5Sepahan Novin Izeh186661319−624
6Farhang Ramhormoz185672437−1321
7Esteghlal Shoosh184772020019Relegation to 3rd Division - 1st Stage 2021–22
8Sanat Abrisham Isfahan1860121831−1318
9Yazd Looleh184591920−117
10Khalij Fars Minab184591928−917
Updated to match(es) played on 10 August 2021. Source: [11]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.


Ranking of third-placed teams

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Shohadaye Razakan Karaj1810352716+1133Promotion to Play-off
2Sepahan Novin Isfahan189453721+1631
3Naft Iranian Tehran188552218+429
Updated to match(es) played on 10 August 2021. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) play-off at neutral venue.


Ranking of seventh-placed teams

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1Mohajer Novin Mashhad187472119+225
2Benyamin Varzesh Tehran1871102427−322
3Esteghlal Shoosh184772020019Relegation to 3rd Division - 1st Stage 2021–22
Updated to match(es) played on 10 August 2021. Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) play-off at neutral venue.

Play-offs

The draw of the play-off round held on August 14, 2021, between following teams.[12]

Qualified teams

2nd placed teams in Second Stage (3 teams):

  • Omid Vahdat Birjand
  • Artam Tabriz
  • Khalij Fars Mahshahr

Best 3rd placed team in Second Stage (1 team):

  • Shohadaye Razakan Karaj

First round

Team 1ScoreTeam 21st leg2nd legNotes
Khalij Fars Mahshahr0-1Omid Vahdat Birjand0-00-1
Shohadaye Razakan Karaj4-3Artam Tabriz1-13-2
Khalij Fars Mahshahr0-0Omid Vahdat Birjand
Shohada, Mahshahr
Attendance: 0
Referee: Mojtaba Afra
Omid Vahdat Birjand1-0Khalij Fars Mahshahr
Mehdi Khaghani
Azadi, Birjand
Attendance: 0

Omid Vahdat Birjand won 1–0 on aggregate and promoted to second play-off round.


Shohadaye Razakan Karaj1-1Artam Tabriz
Ali FathiAli Ashraf
Enghelab, Karaj
Attendance: 0
Referee: Farhad Ghasemi
Artam Tabriz2-3Shohadaye Razakan Karaj
Shahrdari, Tabriz
Attendance: 0

Shohadaye Razakan Karaj won 4–3 on aggregate and promoted to second play-off round.

[13]

Second round

Team 1ScoreTeam 21st leg2nd legNotes
Shohadaye Razakan Karaj3-0Omid Vahdat Birjand1-02-0
Shohadaye Razakan Karaj1-0Omid Vahdat Birjand
Behnam Asgarkhani
Enghelab, Karaj
Attendance: 0
Omid Vahdat Birjand0-2Shohadaye Razakan Karaj
Samen, Mashad
Attendance: 0

Shohadaye Razakan Karaj won 3–0 on aggregate and promoted to 2021-22 Iran Football's 2nd Division.

References