Persian Gulf Pro League:
Esteghlal stuns Tractor; Malavan, Sepahan share the spoils
Esteghlal made a strong statement on the opening day of the new Persian Gulf Pro League season by claiming a massive 1-0 away victory over defending champion Tractor in Tabriz on Tuesday.
Mohammad-Hossien Eslami played a delicate one-two with summer signing Saied Saharkhizan before lobbing young Tractor goalkeeper Adib Zarei midway through the second half at an empty Bonyan Diesel Stadium. The victory ended the Tehran Blues’ three-game losing streak against the northwest Iranian club – including last week’s 2-1 setback in the Iranian Super Cup.
With Portuguese head coach Ricardo Sa Pinto back on the bench after two years and the addition of some marquee signings in recent weeks, Esteghlal faithful will hope the Blues build on the victory to mount a serious title charge, having endured a dreadful league campaign last term by finishing ninth in the table.
Meanwhile, the opening-day setback, coupled with a drab performance throughout the 90 minutes, served as a wakeup call for Tractor and Croatian head coach Dragan Skocic ahead of a hectic season in the domestic competitions as well as the AFC Champions League Elite.
Next for Tractor is an away game against Mes Rafsanjan and former head coach Rasoul Khatibi on Tuesday, while Esteghlal will host Zob Ahan at the Shahr-e Qods Stadium.
Elsewhere, Sepahan shared the points with Malavan, courtesy of a 1-1 stalemate at the Sirous Qayeqran Stadium on Tuesday.
Iran international fullback Aria Yousefi gave Sepahan a 12th-minute lead with a tame effort from the edge of the box, only to see his strike canceled out by Hossein Sadeqi in the 65th minute.
Sepahan will hope to extend its five-game winning run against Persepolis, which was held to a 1-1 home draw by newly-promoted Fajr Sepasi on Monday, when the two heavyweights go head-to-head in the ‘Iranian Clasico’ next week.
Malavan, meanwhile, will travel to Ahvaz to play Foolad Khuzestan on Tuesday.
Having finished fourth in the table last season, Yahya Golmohammadi’s Foolad got off to a losing start in the new campaign, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Chadormalou.
Foolad went down to 10 men after Mohammadreza Soleimani received his marching orders in the 44th minute, before Ali Khodadi found the net from the spot in the 90th minute.
Chadormalou – the surprise package in the Iranian top flight last season – will play away to Shams Azar next.
Shams Azar played to a 1-1 draw against Esteghlal Khuzestan on Tuesday.
Hojjat Ahmadi put the home side in front in the 26th minute, before Mahdi Mohammadi drew Shams Azar level with 18 minutes left on the clock.
Esteghlal Khuzestan will visit Paykan next Tuesday.