Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Persianmirror - Persian Gulf League (PGL) week 20 concluded with a 6 goal thriller between Persepolis and Abu Moslem at Tehran's Azadi stadium with the honours shared in the end. Persepolis got off to a good start in the match but found themselves 1-0 down after six minutes courtesy of an own goal by their captain Karim Bagheri.

Abu Moslem's Croat midfielder Ivan Petrovic fired a strong low shot beating the keeper, Bagheri's left footed attempt to clear the danger ended in the back of Persepolis net. Bagheri made amends later in the half when he made a goal-line clearance.

Abu Moslem have turned into a different team since the dismissal of former head coach Khodad Azizi, the new man in charge Parviz Mazloomi has lifted the team to fifth place in PGL. Persepolis were pushing forward looking for an equaliser but poor marking in the penalty area left Franck Atsou from Togo unmarked, Atsou took full advantage of the space he was given and headed a cross into the net from inside the box, Abu Moslem Khorassan were 2-0 up after 32 minutes.

The 2-0 score-line did not reflect the balance of play but worse was to follow when Persepolis keeper made a major blunder and effectively passed the ball to Petrovic in the 18 yard box, the Croat showed no mercy as he went round the keeper and put the ball in the empty net, Abu Moslem were 3-0 up with one minute of the first half remaining. Persepolis beat Abu Moslem 3-0 away in Mashhad early this season; Abu Moslem looked like avenging the heavy defeat they had suffered.

But it wasn't to be; with nothing left to lose league leaders Persepolis went on the attack in the second half and pulled a goal back in 54th minute scored by Aghaei. This was certainly a game of two halves as Persepolis earned a penalty five minutes later with Nikbakht Vahedi converting for the reds and the gap closed to one goal. Two minutes later (61') Abu Moslem were reduced to ten men when Khani received his marching order for a rough challenge, in a devastating seven minutes Abu Moslem had gone from being on the driving seat with a 3 goal cushion to a team reduced to ten men and only a one goal lead.

The inevitable happened as Persepolis piled on the pressure and drew level in 88th minute, the goal scored by Persepolis's Croat striker Mate Dragicevic, final score Persepolis 3 - Abu Moslem 3 with Croat players scoring for both teams. Earlier in the day Amir Ghalenoei now the head coach of Mes Kerman faced his former club Esteghlal of Tehran, a 7th minute Ebrahimi goal settled the match in favour of Mes, Mr Ghalenoei did a lot of harm to the national team (Team Melli) when he was in charge last year but he has done well for Mes FC so far. Saba Battery's good run of results continued with a 2-0 win over Rah-Ahan.

Transfer News - Iranian international Hossein Kaebi joint Persepolis FC from Leicester City (England)

Team Melli- The new head coach of Iran the Spaniard Javier Clemente has signed a contract with the Iranian Football Federation till 2010. Iran's next world cup 2010 qualifier is against Kuwait on March 26th.

PGL week 20 results:
Sanat-Naft 0 - Pegah 1
Bargh 0 - Fajr-Sepasi 0
Shirin-Faraz 1 - Zob-Ahan 1
Malavan 0 - Est-Ahvaz 2
Saba Battery 2 - Rah-Ahan 0
Saipa 1 - Pas-Hamedan 0
Sepahan 1 - Peykan 1
Perspolis 3 - Abumoslem 3
Mes 1 - Esteghlal 0

By Afshin Dastafshan
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Top