Persian Gulf Premier League:
Persepolis launches new era with victory over Shams Azar
Persepolis got off to a winning start to its Persian Gulf Premier League campaign, defeating Shams Azar 2-0 in Qazvin on Saturday.
Marquee summer signing Mohammad-Mahdi Mohebbi put the visitors ahead 10 minutes into the game, pouncing on Abolfazl Jalali’s cross and firing home into the roof of the net from close range.
Mohammad Omri doubled the Tehran Reds’ lead five minutes later when his side-footed effort from the edge of the box found the bottom corner.
With new head coach Mahdi Tartar in charge and a completely revamped starting XI following a busy transfer window, Persepolis will look to build on the impressive start to its new era as it chases an eighth domestic top-flight title since the 2016-17 season, having missed out on the title in the previous two campaigns.
Saturday’s result came after the other three members of the so-called “Big Four” of Iranian football also delivered opening-day statement victories on Friday.
Saied Saharkhizan scored twice, with Mohammad-Hossein Eslami and 20-year-old midfielder Esmaeil Qolizadeh also finding the net late on, as Persepolis’ archrival Esteghlal defeated newly promoted Mes Shahr-e Babak 4-0 at home.
In Tabriz, Tractor gave head coach Javad Nekounam, who only replaced Mohammad Rabiei last week, a fitting start to life on the bench by defeating 10-man Paykan 2-0, thanks to a first-half goal from Iranian international striker Shahriar Moghanlou, who joined from Emirati club Ittihad Kalba in the summer.
Sepahan, meanwhile, secured a hard-fought 2-0 away victory over Chadormalou. Ehsan Hajsafi broke the deadlock from the spot with 14 minutes remaining before Alireza Arta’s own goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time secured all three points for Moharram Navidkia’s side. Elsewhere on Saturday, Zob Ahan and Foolad Khuzestan played out a goalless draw in Isfahan, while San’at Naft Abadan, back among the domestic elite after spending two seasons in the second division, shared the spoils with Malavan at home.
Matin Karimzadeh gave the home side an eighth-minute lead, only for Malavan to equalize three minutes before the break.