Parvin surprised by Pirouzi success

AFC - Pirouzi coach Ali Parvin admitted that he didn't think Pirouzi would win the Iran Professional League on Tuesday night, saying that he believed Esteghlal would get the points they required against Malavan Anzali.

"I never believed we would become the champions as I thought that Esteghlal would at the very least draw with Malavan," the Pirouzi coach told IranMania. "But the Malavan boys played well (beating Esteghlal 1-0) and made us the champions. We also had a hard time in Tehran ourselves."

Pirouzi overtook their Tehran rivals by beating Fajre Sepasi 1-0, sealing their fifth title in seven seasons.

"The league victory is the result of the work and performance of the players and staff of the club. The victory is a gift to our fans who support us at all times through thick and thin," Parvin said.

Meanwhile, Esteghlal boss Mansour Pourheidari said he was prepared to take the blame for his team's second-placed finish in a league they had led for most of the season.

"Football is unpredictable. We started the game badly and could not use the opportunities well. Now Esteghlal has lost its chance and I'm to answer for it," said Pourheidari, whose side reached the semi-finals of the 2001/02 Asian Club Championship.

"I should have probably made the boys play more attentively, and I should be upset, but the nature of football is win and lose. We must forget the championship and think of the future.

"People thought that Esteghlal had a 90 per cent chance of winning the championship. We can do little except to say sorry to the fans for the loss. I accept all the responsibility."