GOAL – After losing 1-0 to
Saipa on Wednesday, Sepahan missed out on an opportunity to close the gap on
Iran Pro League leaders Persepolis.
The AFC Champions League runners-up lie in second place, five points adrift
of Persepolis with a game in hand.
The first half was a dour goalless affair, and despite Saipa dominating
throughout, they failed to make a breakthrough. Just eight minutes into the
second half, Karim Ansarifard struck powerful shot that gave his side the
winning goal.
Sepahan’s coach Luka Bonacic threw on Emad Mohammed Reza in search of an
equaliser. The Iraqi striker came close to scoring - only to be denied by
Saipa custodian Sajjad Sheikhveisi with eight minutes remaining.
Sepahan recently made their inaugural appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup
2007 held in Japan. They are the first Iranian side to qualify for the
tournament. After comfortably beating New Zealand side Waitakere United of
New Zealand in the opening match, they failed to progress to the semi-final.
They were defeated by the second time in a month by J-League side Urawa Red
Diamonds - previously losing to the Japanese outfit in the AFC Champions
League final.
