GOAL - TEHRAN, With an amazing goal in the 95th minute, ending ten minutes of persistent attacks, Perspolis continued her string of successes in Iran’s Premier League with a 1-0 win over Saipa.
Khalili, a leading scorer for Saipa until last year, scored the golden goal, his eight goal of the season in the extra time to put Persepolis seven points clear at the top.
Afshin Ghotbi, Perspolis’s head coach, saw his team yet again end a week of controversy off the field with a sweet victory. Over the last week, the club's General Manager resigned and was asked to return, several players complained about lack of playing time and much was made of the disagreements between Ghotbi and his assistant, Estili. At the end, the technical team regrouped and so did the club on the field.
For Saipa and coach Ali Daei, the loss was tough. Last year champion is now in 15th place and only 1 point ahead of the relegation zone.
Although Sepahan has played five games less than Perspolis, it is hard to imagine that they will win all of their postponed matches. On Monday, Sepahan will make up this week’s postponed match against a tough Barg.
It will be Sepahan’s first game after the Asian Champions League final when they lost in Japan. Sepahan has a solid and united team. Coach Luka Bonacic will continue prepare his team for Iran’s league but his eyes will be also focused for the FIFA World Club later in December in Japan.
Esteghlal won for the second week in a row. Ever since Coach Hejazi was demoted to the position of “technical manager”, the club has won two games. Interestingly, the Blues still don’t have a head coach.
Second place Saba Battery won on the road in Abadan. The game was played in an empty stadium as the host was punished for past fans’ disturbances. Saba Battery will play Sepahan next in the match of the week.
Malavan continued to surprise with a road victory against Paykan in Tehran. Last season, his Caspian Sea team was almost relegated but this year they are contending for a top three position.
COACHING UPDATE
As it has been a norm, more changes have taken place over the last two weeks.
Esteghlal (6th place) – Hejazi became the technical director. The club management announced the head coach of Esteghlal of Ahvaz as their new head coach. They forgot to negotiate such change with the other club. As such, Esteghlal has been without a head coach for two weeks.
Esteghlal of Ahvaz (8th place) – As explained above, their head coach was ‘taken away” by the Tehran club. At the moment, this team has a new technical director in Majid Jalali. Jalali won the league with Pas a few years ago but had a couple of unsuccessful attempts since then.
Shirin Faraz (14th place) – The Serbian head coach left and Fekri, the team Capitan and elder is now acting as the interim head coach.
Zobahan (16th place) – Zolfagharnasab is now the new head coach.
RESULTS
Perspolis 1 – Saipa 0
Moghavemat Sepasi 1 – Esteghlal 2
Sanat Naft 2 – Saba Battery 3
Pas 1 – Zobahan 1
Pegah 0 – Shirin Faraz 0
Rahahan 2 – Esteghlal of Ahvaz 2
Abumoslem 1 – Mes 0
Paykan 0 – Malavan 1
By: Kaveh Mahjoob
