Iranian Hazfi Cup:
Sepahan draws Malavan, Esteghlal to face Paykan in quarters
Defending champion Sepahan will have to visit Malavan for the their last-eight clash in the Iranian Hazfi Cup.
Eight teams, including three second-tier clubs, learned their fate for the remainder of the Iranian domestic cup competition – the Memorial of Khorramshahr Liberation – during Sunday’s draw in Tehran.
Trailing Tractor by a single point on top of the Iranian top-flight table, Sepahan defeated Persepolis 3-2 in extra time in a thrilling last-16 tie on Feb. 12 to remain on course for a league and cup double.
Meanwhile, league struggler Nassaji Mazandaran was drawn against Golgohar Sirjan at home, with the winner taking on Sepahan or Malavan.
Seven-time champion Esteghlal – seventh in the league table – will continue its only realistic bid for silverware this season when hosting second division leader Paykan at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
The Tehran Blues will fancy an easy route to the final showpiece in Kerman as a last-eight win will see them face another second-tier opposition in San’at Naft Abadan or Shahrdari Nowshahr – which will square off in Abadan – in the semifinals.
The quarterfinal fixtures will be played in the last week of April, with the exact date yet to be confirmed by the Iranian League Organization.