PTV - Alireza Nikbakht Vahedi
missed two penalties for Persepolis in a 2-2 draw with Peykan in the Reds'
first match without Afshin Qotbi.
It was a brilliant day for Ibrahim Toure, who scored twice for Persepolis,
and for Peykan's goalkeeper Mohammad Mohammadi, who saved two penalty kicks
by Nikbakht in the first and the second halves.
Toure scored the first goal for Persepolis only three minutes into the game,
but four minutes later the confidence of Persepolis was shattered when
Mohammadi saved a penalty kick by Nikbakht. The defending champions were
already in shock following his ban from the Iranian national team.
Peykan ended the first half with victory after Iman Heydari and
Mohammad-Reza Tahmasebi scored in the 33rd and 37th minutes.
However, the lead for the home side lasted only seven minutes into the
second half, when Toure scored Persepolis' second goal.
When the Reds were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute, Nikbakht had the
chance to grab victory but he was denied by another Mohammadi save.
A win would have moved the Reds to fourth place in the Iranian Premier
League (IPL), and fans had been hoping for a decisive victory after recent
turmoil at the club. After a lackluster start to the season, Afshin Qotbi
resigned last week to be replaced by new head coach Peyrovani.
With the final score of 2-2, Peykan retained its top position in the IPL
with 29 points, staying six points clear of Persepolis trailing in sixth
position.
