Mehr News – Esteqlal of Ahvaz manager
Nasser Hejazi Saturday said the refereeing blunders led his side toward
defeat against Sepahan in the opening match of the third Iran Pro League’s
23rd-week opening match in Isfahan Friday.
“The referee (Hossein Yadi) prevented our team from playing its normal
football,” added former national keeper in his talks with Mehr, reiterating,
“To me, the main reason behind our loss was the misjudgment.”
He said it is crystal clear that some referees use tricks to prevent
Esteqlal of Ahvaz from achieving good results.
“If the video is watched, you will see the referee’s big mistakes,” Hejazi
underlined.
Sepahan celebrated its first win in the new Iranian calendar year, beating
Esteqlal of southern city Ahvaz.
The home side handed the blue-clad Esteqlal a 4-2 defeat in Naqsh-e Jahan
stadium.
Striker Rassul Khatibi opened the score for Sepahan in the 17th minute.
The visitor received another blow as Nasser Shirdel was sent off by referee
in the 45th minute.
Adriano Always equalized the match 10 minutes into the second half, but Leon
Estepanian's curling free-kick made it 2-1 for the second IPL champion
Sepahan eight minutes later and Saeid Ramezani and Asghar Taleb-Nassab
grabbed the Isfahani side's third and fourth on 74 and 82 minutes.
Milad Mir-Davudi scored Esteqlal's consolation goal one minute before the
normal time.
Hereunder come the fixtures and latest table:
SUNDAY, APRIL 4
Abu Moslem vs. Barq
