Naghsh-e-Jahan Derby

According to journalist Afshin Afshar, the competition is one of the most popular annual football events in Iran.

[1] The first match between Sepahan and Zob Ahan was played in the 1972 Jam-e-Enghelab football tournament, held in Isfahan.

[2] Sepahan won 5–4 in a thrilling penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of play.

Sepahan's goals were scored by Masoud Tabesh, Rasoul Khorosh, Hajrasouli, Chalangar and Yazdkhasti, while Zob Ahan's fifth penalty by Yazdanpanah was saved by Mohammad Borzmehri, who was known as the "Iranian Yashin".

The rivalry resumed in the 1990s when they faced each other in the Azadegan League (1993/94, 1996/97, 1997/98) and from then on, they met each other twice a year.