Blue boys break tough nut, jinx

MNA – The blue-shirted Esteqlal savored the first home win 12 weeks after the 7th Iran Pro League, extracting a 2-1 victory over struggling Rah Ahan in Azadi Stadium, west of Tehran, Friday.

Striker Farhad Majidi celebrated his double in the 11th and 21st minutes from close range as he capitalized on blunders of defender and keeper.

Rah Ahan missed the sole scoring chance before the interval on 34 minutes when striker Hadi Asghari saw his left drive be sent over the crossbar by Esteqlal goalie Vahid Taleblu’s fingertips.

Esteqlal and nearly 30,000 fans in the stands, however, got the jitters after the break as Rah Ahan was amazingly transformed, minimizing the gap through Asghari who was first to a rebound to slid in.

Bar and post came the rescue of Blues 20 minutes from time, leaving Rah Ahan ruing the equalizer.

Esteqlal had Taleblu to thank for spectacularly palming away a ferocious 35-yard drive from Alireza Mohammad in the 89th minute.

The Blues were forced to play with 10 men seconds from normal time as Pejman Montazeri received his marching orders for his second bookable offense.

Rah Ahan heaped the pressure in the dying moments, but it failed to salvage a draw.