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MNA – Persepolis striker
Mehrdad Owladi came off the bench to celebrate the winner in the 2-1 victory
over old foe Esteqlal in their 61st derby in the 100,000-seater Azadi
Stadium in western Tehran Friday.
Esteqlal fullback Amir-Hossein Sadeqi silenced some 50,000 faithful in the
16th minute of the eight-week game of the sixth Iran Pro League (IPL),
outjumping two markers near the far post to head home a Mohammad Navazi
corner palmed by keeper Farshid Karimi.
The Reds, however, were on level terms six minutes later when frolic striker
Mehrzad Ma’danchi gatecrashed the Blues’ party, curling the ball he received
from Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi near the corner past giddy goalie Mehdi Rahmati.
Persepolis would take the lead on 36 minutes if forward Hossein Badamaki’s
stretching leg touched Ma’danchi cross into the box.
Karimi denied Esteqlal the lead as he saved a header from defender Piruz
Qorbani eight minutes from the break.
Under Turkish trainer Mostafa Denizli, Persepolis outclassed the league
holder Esteqlal in the second half and would thrash the Blues if its
strikers did not squander the scoring chances.
Ma’danchi should have found the net three minutes after the interval, but
his belatedly struck kick was blocked by Sadeqi.
Badamaki, who also had an under-par performance, picked up a Nikbakht
through ball on 59 minutes and hit the ball against the side net with a left
drive.
Esteqlal players and fans breathed a sigh of relief one minute later when
the unmarked Ma’danchi sent a superb pass from Badamaki out from close
range.
Persepolis, however, grabbed the winner in the 71st minute as Owladi gave a
positive response to the confidence of Denizli, who had fielded him four
minutes earlier.
The fast-paced striker raced to a well flighted cross from left winger
Robert Saha, beating the advancing Rahmati with a perfect chip.
Esteqlal almost scored the equalizer four minutes from time. Sadeqi failed
to double his own and Blues’ scoring, hitting the ball against the diving
Karimi’s chest.
Denizli, in his post-match talks with reporters, said his team was the
better side, particularly after the restart.
“We played a crowd-pleasing football and got the three points,” boasted the
manager.
Esteqlal manager Samad Marfavi, due to his great grief, declined to attend
the press conference, reported the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN).
Persepolis moved from the sixth spot to the third with 15 points,
leapfrogging Esteqlal on goal difference.
In other matches, pacesetter SAIPA overcame Barq 2-1, Rah Ahan was beaten by
Mes 2-1, Esteqlal of Ahvaz and Zob Ahan tied 1-1, Sepahan snatched a 2-1 win
over Paykan, Malavan saw off Fajr-e Sepassi 1-0, Abu Moslem defeated Pas
3-2, and Saba Battery and Fulad struggled to a goalless draw.
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