Tabriz is the beautiful Capital of East Azerbaijan Province and has a rich history that goes back over two millennia. However, despite its long standing in the country’s football, Tabriz has never had a team represented in Asia, and the ethnic Azeri football fans see this as their first real opportunity to showcase their beautiful and historic city and their football prowess on the Asian stage.
When it comes to football, this city of one and half million residents has always been a one club town, Tractor-Sazi FC, a club founded in 1970, but now for the first time another local club has everyone excited about the possibilities.
Tabriz fans’ love and commitment to Tractor FC may be compared to that of Newcastle United fans, but in this instance their strong sense of ethnic and civic pride and Tractor’s safe position in mid-table, has convinced them to rally behind Gostaresh and will it to accomplish the near impossible task of defeating one of Asia's biggest clubs.
“I support all the Tabriz clubs unless it is a local derby, then Tractor is my number one team. I’ll be there on Wednesday even if it rains solid rock all day! I want Tabriz football to be represented in Asia. That would be good for our football and good for our city.” says Kamal a 21 year-old student.
“I think we have a 50/50 chance, but we must get good results in Tabriz. I’ll be there 100%; don’t you doubt that for a minute”, says 29 year-old Hamed.
“Unfortunately I can’t go because they don’t let female fans into the stadium, but I would have gone if I could”, says 25 year-old Fatemeh.
“I am hoping to see Gostaresh in Asia because that will help us tell the rest of Asia a little bit about our city, our culture, and our football. I think they have a 50/50 chance, but with overwhelming fan support we can increase the odds to our favour.”
With eight matches to go Gostaresh is in ninth place and twelve points behind leaders Bargh of Shiraz in Group 2 of the Iranian First Division. Although their chances for promotion do not look great, winning the Hazfi Cup will put them on the map and encourage stronger financial backing for the club.
For the fans, however, there is a greater cause. They like to compare their relationship with their football clubs to that of Catalonians and FC Barcelona. They think of them as more than just football clubs, but rather vehicles through which they can tell the rest of the world about themselves and their history and culture.
“I am a Tractor fan, but I support other Tabriz and Azerbaijan teams too”, says Yashar a 23 tear-old student. “Tractor is more than a football club for us. It is like our Barca, and our football is a venue through which we can unite as a people and make friends with others. Other Azerbaijani clubs can play the same role too”.
From 2002 to 2009 Tabriz did not have a presence in the top league football, but with Tractor’s promotion last year, Gostaresh’s success in the Cup competition this year, and another first division club’s (Shahrdari FC) most likely promotion at the end of this season, the future of Tabriz and Azerbaijan football looks very bright.