AFC – AFC Champions League
Group B leaders Saipa were made to work for their win over Shirin Faraz on
Thursday as Ali Daei’s side defeated the 2007/08 Iran Pro League’s basement
dwellers 4-2.
Saipa midfielder Omid Sharifinasab opened the scoring in the 24th minute
before Roozbeh Shahalidoost gave the hosts a two-goal cushion going into the
break with the second 15 minutes later.
Pooya Seifpanahi reduced the deficit ten minutes into the second-half and
while Amir Vaziri made it 3-1 to Saipa 12 minutes later a 75th minute strike
from Mohamed Mohamadi ensured it was a nervous finish for the Iranian
champions.
Ibrahim Ashstani ended Shirin’s hopes of taking something from the game when
he netted Saipa’s fourth three minutes in to stoppage-time although the
match will have given Daei plenty to think about ahead of Wednesday’s AFC
Champions League meeting with Al Quwa Al Jawiya.
