Saipa lifts IPL trophy; Daei sings swansong

MNA - KARAJ, SAIPA won the sixth Iran Pro League (IPL) title with a 2-0 win over visitor Mes in Enqelab Stadium in Karaj, 35km west of Tehran, Monday.

The automakers, who were one win from the championship, netted one in each half through striker Ahmad Mo’menzadeh and player-cum-manager Ali Daei to beat the Kerman-based Mes 2-0 in the 30th week.

SAIPA was crowned with 56 points in the 16-strong league while Esteqlal of Ahvaz struggled to a scoreless draw against Fulad in their last derby, finishing runner-up with 54 points and wrapping up playoffs for the relegation-threatened Fulad.

The tie helped the Navy’s side Malavan survive as the northerners celebrated a badly needed 1-0 victory over home team Barq in Hafezieh Stadium in the southern capital Shiraz.

Esteqlal of Tehran, which had an eye on the title, dramatically nosedived to the fourth place as it scored a late equalizer in its derby against 10-man Pas in Azadi Stadium, salvaging a 1-1 stalemate and standing fourth on 52 points.

Pas had a better performance, hit the post after nine minutes through fast-paced striker Arash Borhani, who received his marching orders from referee Mohsen Qahremani in the 77th minute, and opened the scoring in half an hour mark, when Mostafa Chatr-Abgun outjumped his marker in the box to head home a Hamid Hedayati cross.

Esteqlal was denied by the woodwork seven minutes from the interval, with Mohsen Yussefi’s drive shaving the crossbar.

Pas squandered two scoring chances to let the Blues score a consolation goal on 90 minutes. Brazilian Da Silva headed home a corner from substitute right winger Mohammad Navazi.

The draw rubbed salt into Blues’ wounds as they not only were stripped of championship, but were placed below their old foe Persepolis.

Tehran’s Esteqlal manager Samad Marfavi along with his players burst into tears, ruing the opportunities they lost in the recent clashes.

But tears of joy ran to the eyes of automakers, who were on cloud nine 35km away.

The talismanic striker and world’s best scorer Daei completed his album with the league title, putting the icing on the cake with a second half goal in the last game.

Daei said he would hang his boots after the match and would most likely coach SAIPA next season.

In other matches, Sepahan saw off Saba Battery 3-2 and Paykan fought to a 2-2 draw against the visiting Fajr-e Sepassi.

Persepolis scored two late goals Sunday to defeat Isfahan’s Zob Ahan 3-1 in Azadi Stadium, standing third with 53 points.