Nouri sends Sepahan into League Cup semis

IRNA - Mohammad Nouri inspired Sepahan into a 1-0 home victory over Tractor Sazi in the quarterfinal of the League Cup in Naqsh-e Jahan Stadium of this central capital Friday.

The only goal of the match came after 22 minutes when Nouri capitalized on a goalkeeping blunder from Kazem Farhani, firing home from close range.

Tractor Sazi should have leveled the game in the 36th minute through Alireza Daghagheleh, who surprisingly did not find the unguarded net.

Farhani blocked a goal-bounder header from Sepahan striker Rassoul Khatibi one minute from the break.

Sepahan keeper Massoud Homami denied the visitor the equalizer on 60 minutes, palming away a header from Mohammad-Ali Faridi-Khatibi on the goal-line.

The home side almost doubled the cushion, rattling the post with a free-kick from Abbas Aqaei one minute from time.

In another quarterfinal match, Persepolis entertains Malavan in Azadi Stadium in western Tehran Saturday afternoon.

ESTEQLAL WITHDRAWAL
Esteqlal Thursday announced its withdrawal from Iran's League Cup.

Esteqlal was to travel to the northern capital Sari on April 28 to play Nojan in the League Cup quarterfinal.

The capital's popular side that celebrated the fifth Iran Pro League (IPL) title last Friday explained that eight players of the team are training in national camp and some have been sidelined by injuries.

National call-up and injuries prompted the club's directorate to make the decision, read the announcement.

Esteqlal Sports-Cultural Club has apologized to millions of fans and northerners, vowing to play a friendly in the province at an appropriate time.

Winning 59 points from 30 games, Esteqlal lifted the IPL trophy in Azadi Stadium packed with over 110,000 fans.

The Football Federation has yet to decide on the Blues' withdrawal.