Persian Gulf Pro League preview:
Tractor looking to bounce back against champion
Tractor will be chasing a first victory in the new season of the Persian Gulf Pro League when taking on defending champion Persepolis at home today.
Having enjoyed an impressive run in the second half of the previous campaign under Spanish head coach Paco Jémez, the Tabriz-based club was among the busiest teams in the close-season transfer window, hoping to improve on last May’s fourth-spot finish in the league.
Things, however, did not quite go planned in the season opener last Wednesday as Tractor suffered a 3-1 defeat against Sepahan, with all new signings failing to impress.
Persepolis, meanwhile, began its quest for a seventh title in eight years with a narrow 1-0 victory over Iralco – courtesy of a fullback Ali Nemati’s first-half strike – at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium – in a game that the Reds struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Tractor will be without integral holding midfielder Safa Hadi for today’s encounter after the Iraqi player received his marching orders for a second bookable offense against Sepahan.
The eagerly-anticipated contest will also see some of ex-Persepolis players in Shoja Khalilzadeh, Siamak Nemati, Saeed Aqaei, and Mehdi Shiri reunite with their former club.Elsewhere in the league, Sepahan will be looking to maintain the perfect start to the season against Zob Ahan in the Isfahan derby.
Newly-promoted Shams Azar will host a first top-flight fixture in history of the club in Qazvin against Havadar, while Nassaji Mazandaran plays away to Mes Rafsanjan.
Two southern Iranian clubs Foolad Khuzestan and San’at Naft Abadan, which left the game empty-handed against Golgohar Sirjan and Esteghlal respectively last time out, will go head-to-head in Ahvaz’s Foolad Arena in Wednesday’s late fixture.
The final game of the second round of fixtures will see Esteghlal play Malavan FC at the Azadi Stadium on Thursday.
For all the preseason turmoil facing the Tehran Blues, Javad Nekounam led his team to massive 3-0 win at San’at Naft on his competitive debut on Esteghlal bench, but will still be desperate to see the club bolster his squad in the ongoing transfer window.
New striker Mehrdad Mohammadi will be eyeing a first start for the Blues outfit after making a cameo appearance against San’at.