MNA - Esteghlal of Ahvaz lost to Kara of Shiraz, on penalties, in a difficult fight with lower division awe-makers.

On the fifth day of the third round of the 29th season of Iran’s Hazfi Cup, on Sunday, Esteghlal of Ahvaz lined up against Kara of Shiraz and the game went to a shootout after the 2-2 draw in extra time.

At the end of the second half, both teams had scored nothing, but the extra time saw four goals scored.

Kara of Shiraz made life difficult for the Ahvazi team throughout the 16th-finals match in Ghadir Stadium of Ahvaz, and eventually they passed the opponents on penalties.

They won the shootout 6-5 gaining the total 8-7 victory over Premier League club, as the first lower division team in the event to survive up the 8th-finals.

The Shirazis will host Sepahan of Isfahan in the next round of the cup, according to the draws conducted on Sunday.

Also the giants of Tehran, Esteghlal and Perspolis will host their opponents Fould of Khuzestan and Malavan of Anzali in the next round.

The date and venue for the last match in the 16th-final round is yet unknown as Naft is present in Asian games and the event is postponed to a later time once Naft is done with continental tournament.