2023-24 Knockout Cup:
Aluminum knocks out Persepolis
Persepolis lost to Aluminum 6-5 in a penalty shootout and failed to qualify for the quarterfinal round of Iran’s 2023-24 Hazfi (knockout) Cup on Friday evening.
The match ended 4-4 in Arak but Aluminum emerged victorious on penalties.
Oston Urunov gave Persepolis a lead in the 11th minute and Issa Alekasir scored the second goal in the 25th minute.
Mehdi Limoochi pulled a goal back in the 85th minute and Shervin Bozorg equalized the match in the added time.
Substitute Sina Asadbeigi made it 3-2 for Persepolis in the first extra time and Alekasir scored Persepolis’ fourth goal in the second extra time but Bozorg and Alireza Naghizadeh scored two late goals for Aluminum to equalize the match.
Aluminum defeated Persepolis 6-5 on penalties.
Round of 16’s results:
*Mes Kerman 1(3)-1(5) Chadormalu
*Havadar 3-1 Mes Sungun
*Malavan 2-1 Saipa
*Aluminum 4(6)–4(5) Persepolis
*Abipooshan Jonoub 1-2 Sepahan
*Fajr Sepasi 0-3 Gol Gohar
*Tractor 1(3)–1 (1) Zob Ahan
Hazfi Cup is an Iranian knockout football cup competition held annually by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran. The competition was founded in 1975 and Esteghal and Persepolis are the most successful clubs with seven titles each.