Persian Gulf Pro League:
Persepolis left frustrated by winless streak at home
Persepolis failed to secure a first home victory at the new Persian Gulf Pro League season, settling for a drab goalless stalemate against Malavan FC at Tehran’s Shahr-e Qods Stadium on Thursday.
A third home draw meant the Tehran Reds, seven-time Iranian top-flight champion over the past nine seasons, have only managed one victory in five outings, heaping pressure on head coach Vahid Hashemian, who took his first managerial role in July after replacing former Turkish boss Ismail Kartal.
The Reds’ sole victory of the campaign came against Sepahan (1-0) at Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Stadium on August 25, as Persepolis celebrated a first top-flight victory in the so-called ‘Iranian Clasico’ in 1,335 days.
Next for Persepolis and Hashemian is another home fixture against Golgohar Sirjan on Friday, while Malavan will host Khaybar on Thursday.
Elsewhere, defending champion Tractor dominated for the best part of the home game against newly-promoted Fajr Sepasi but still failed to capitalize as it finished goalless at Tabriz’s Bonyan Diesel Stadium.
Croatian striker Domagoj Drozdek thought he had given Tractor the lead, when his effort from inside the box found the bottom corner on the half-hour mark, only to see strike chalked off by the VAR due to teammate Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh committing a handball in the buildup.
Tractor will visit Ahvaz to face Foolad Khuzestan next Saturday, with Fajr – yet to concede a defeat on return to the Iranian Pro League – will host Esteghlal Khuzestan on Thursday.