Persepolis edges Golgohar, remains on course for domestic double
Persepolis capped off a remarkable eight days with a 2-1 victory over Golgohar Sirjan on Sunday to book a place in the Iranian Hazfi Cup last four.
The result came a week after the Tehran-based Reds had gone top of the Persian Gulf Pro League table, when a 1-0 win against archrival Esteghlal was followed by Sepahan’s 1-1 draw at home against Malavan.
One point clear of second-placed Sepahan in the league, Persepolis is now five wins away from a league and cup double – including away games at Paykan and Nassaji Mazandaran either side of a home fixture against Golgohar in the league.
Iranian international Mehdi Torabi put Persepolis in front on the half-hour mark at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, sending Mohsen Forouzan the wrong way from the spot after Saeed Sadeqi’s cross had been handled by Golgohar defender Armin Sohrabian.
Issa Al-e Kassir – rewarded with a place in the starting XI for bagging the match winner in the Tehran derby – chipped the keeper right before the interval to double the lead for the home side.
Reza Shekari pulled one back for Golgohar with seven minutes into the second half but Yahya Golmohammadi’s men held off the late pressure by the visiting side to set a semifinal date with Havadar on May 24.
Havadar, which walked away with a 1-0 league victory over Persepolis in the Azadi Stadium in February, defeated second-tier side Esteghlal Mollasani 2-1 at home – courtesy of a veteran Masoud Shojaei’s 93rd-minute strike on Saturday.
Mohammad Chaharmahali gave Havadar the lead in the 39th minute, only to see his strike canceled out by Mohammad-Amin Saeedavi in the second half.
The other semifinal will see defending champion Nassaji Mazandaran play away to Esteghlal on May 23.
Second-half goals by Hamed Shiri and Reza Ja’fari either side of a Behrouz Norouzifard’s own goal sealed an impressive 3-0 home win against Paykan for Nassaji on Sunday.
Esteghlal, meanwhile, survived a major upset with a 1-0 win at second division club Pars Jonoubi Jam on Saturday.
Mohamad Mohebbi missed a spot-kick in the 15th minute and the Blues had to wait until the seventh minute of extra time for the winner, when Saeed Mehri scored with a composed left-footed effort from inside the box.