Persian Gulf Pro League:
Insipid Persepolis held by Chadormalou, Golgohar goes top
Persepolis was held to a goalless stalemate by Chadormalou at the Persian Gulf Pro League on Friday, while Golgohar Sirjan claimed a massive away victory over Malavan FC to go top of the Iranian top-flight table.
At Tehran’s Takhti Stadium, serving as Chadormalou’s home venue, the Capital Reds were kept at bay by the minnow opponents’ disciplined backline throughout the 90 minutes, failing to create any clear-cut chances aside from a couple of late, desperate attempts.
The result means Persepolis, fourth in the table with six points, has now settled for three draws in four games of the new season, with its sole victory coming against Sepahan in the so-called ‘Iranian Clasico’ in Isfahan.
Next for Persepolis and head coach Vahid Hashemian, who faced jeers from sections of the crowd by the final whistle, is a home game against Malavan on Thursday. Third-placed Chadormalou, also on six points, will visit Paykan on Saturday.
Elsewhere on Friday, Mahdi Tikdari converted from the spot in the 27th minute, before new signing Morteza Asadi came off the bench to find the net deep into stoppage time on his Golgohar debut, to seal a 2-0 win for Mahdi Tartar’s men at the Sirous Qayegran Stadium. The result moved the visitors atop the table with seven points.
Golgohar will play Yahya Golmohammadi’s Foolad Khuzestan at home on Friday.
Having suffered two defeats in the previous three outings, Foolad celebrated a first victory of the new campaign, edging out Khaybar 1-0 at the Foolad Arena, thanks to Argentine Gustavo Blanco’s second-half strike.
Iralco also got off the mark for the new season after three successive defeats, defeating Esteghlal Khuzestan 2-0 at home, courtesy of first-half goals from Yassin Jorjani and Abbas Kahrizi.
Newly-promoted Fajr Sepasi continued its impressive start to the campaign with a 1-0 home win against Zob Ahan. Sina Shah-Abbasi scored the sole goal of the game three minutes into the second half at Shiraz’s Paris Stadium as Pirouz Qorbani’s side remained unbeaten in four games.
Mes Rafsanjan shared the spoils with Shams Azar at home.
Esteghlal will be looking be bounce back from Wednesday’s 7-1 humiliation against the UAE’s Al Wasl in the AFC Champions League Two when hosting Paykan at Tehran’s Shahr-e Qods Stadium today.
Defending champion Tractor will play away to Sepahan, with the home side chasing a first win of the campaign.