Persepolis KO’d of League Cup

MNA – Persepolis conceded its first defeat in the season and was eliminated from League cup with a 3-0 loss to Pas in Hamedan, western Iran, Monday.

Striker Mehdi Ja’farpur hit his hat-trick before home crowd in Qods Stadium to send the visiting Reds packing.

The opener came in the 36th minute, when Persepolis keeper Mehdi Vaezi failed to save a low kick, giving Ja’farpur enough time and space to steer the rebound into the empty net.

Ja’farpur celebrated his double on 58 minutes as error-prone fullback Mohammad Nosrati and Vaezi dillydallied behind the “D”, leaving the forward alone with the ball and unguarded net to find.

The situation was aggravated for Persepolis in the 66th minute as the referee Mohsen Torki sent off midfielder Farzad Ashubi and Ja’farpur struck the third eight minutes from time.

Ashubi expulsion was a prelude to three more for Persepolis that saw midfielder Hossein Badamaki, defender Mohammad Nosrati, and striker Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi receiving their marching orders.

Pas will take on Fulad in the quarterfinal match.