Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Esfahan: Iranian giant Sepahan grabbed a vital 2-0 home win against second-from-bottom Shahin Bushehr to strengthen their chances of winning the domestic league for the third time in row.
In the match played at Foolad Shahr Stadium on Thursday ahead of Tuesday’s crucial continental travel to UAE’s Al Nasr, Sepahan, who were trailing by just three points to Tehran rival Esteghlal, were certain to drop points but two goals in stoppage time gave a huge boost for their title defense.
Veteran midfielder Mehdi Karimian struck an important goal in the fourth minute of the stoppage time to give a vital breakthrough to the 2007 Champions League runners-up as the match had a longer stoppage time due to the injury of Bushehr goalkeeper Vahid Talebloo. Six minutes later in the 10th minute of the stoppage time, Moharram Navidkia confirmed all three points for Sepahan as they moved six points clear of fellow ACL rivals Esteghlal with two matches remaining in the league.
However, Tractor Sazi, who were level on points with Esteghlal, also won their match to reduce the gap by three points while Esteghlal is playing on Friday night which could potentially fill the gap by three points.
Sepahan, who have a midweek continental fixture, will entertain city rival Zob Ahan in next Sunday’s derby which could decide the fate of the defending champions. Their last match of the league is against the relegated bottom side Mes Sarcheshme.
Having gone through 1-0 defeat against Qatar champions Lekhwiya in Match Day 4 of ACL, Sepahan gave away the pole position they hold from the beginning to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in Group C. A win against Al Nasr on Tuesday is still not sufficient for Sepahan to progress but it will end Al Nasr’s prospects marching to the last 16 of the competition.