Asadi’s screamer leads Sepahan past Persepolis in ‘Iranian Classico’
A Reza Asadi’s outrageous free-kick from 40 yards out was the difference between Persian Gulf Pro League giants Sepahan and Persepolis in Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Stadium on Sunday.
The much-needed 1-0 victory in the so-called ‘Iranian Classico’ saw Jose Morais’s men get their title charge back on track after a stalemate at Nassaji Mazandaran and a shock home defeat against Malavan had ended their perfect start to the season.
Meanwhile, Persepolis manager Yahya Golmohammadi was left with much to think about during the upcoming international break – ahead of massive continental showdowns against Al Nasr and Al Duhail as well as mid-December’s Tehran Derby – after his side – hit with injuries and a flu virus in recent weeks – left the pitch without a win for a fourth successive game across all competitions.
There was little to separate the two sides in a cagy first half, but few would argue that Sepahan did not ultimately deserve the maximum points, given the chances the home side created before breaking the deadlock 20 minutes from normal time.
Reds keeper Alireza Beiranvand produced heroic saves to deny Milad Zakipour and substitute Shahryar Moghanlou but the Iranian international could only watch Asadi’s sizzling strike go in off the bar.
Persepolis desperately pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages but it proved too little too late for the defending champion, which suffered only a first defeat in the Iranian top-flight since mid-March, when the Reds were beaten at home by the same opposition before lifting the league and cup trophies by the end of the previous campaign.
The result leaves Persepolis five points adrift of archrival Esteghlal, which walked away with a 2-0 home victory against Tractor on the preceding night – courtesy of goals by Iman Salimi and new Argentine signing Gustavo Blanco – to stay atop the table with 22 points.
Zob Ahan also made the most of the Tehran Reds’ wobble, as a Fardin Yousefi’s stoppage-time winner led Mohammad Rabiei’s men to a 2-1 win at Nassaji, lifting them to second with 18 points.
Asadi, meanwhile, will be looking to build on his flying form – which has seen the league’s leading marksman bag nine goals and double assists in 11 outings – when representing the national team in the World Cup qualification double-header against Hong Kong and Uzbekistan in the coming days.