Source: Press TV
Iran's professional soccer club Persepolis has claimed the championship of Iran's Persian Gulf Pro League, formerly known as Iran Pro League (IPL), for the second consecutive year following a victory over Padideh Football Club.
The Tehran-based giants defeated Padideh, which sat in the 12th spot of the
Pro League table with 26 points on the board from 26 games, 1-0 at the Samen
al-Aeme Stadium on the outskirts of the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad on
Saturday evening.
The red-clad Padideh players started the match in a dominant fashion. Striker
Mohammad Reza Khalatbari was through on goal in the 19th minute and seeking to
beat Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Persepolis Vice Captain Hossein Mahini, however, intervened and picked the ball
at the goal area, colloquially known as the six-yard box.
The 30-year-old Persepolis midfielder Vahid Amiri then took up a suitable chance
to open the scoring for his team in the 29th minute.
He passed the ball to his teammate Kamal Kamyabinia, who spoiled the chance and
screwed his shot wide of goal.
Match between
Persepolis (players
in white) & Padideh soccer teams
(photo by Islamic Republic News Agency)
In the dying seconds of the first half, Persepolis striker Ali Alipour
committed a faux pas in a one-on-one with Padideh custodian. Alipour simply
ruined the opportunity, leaving Persepolis fans stunned to rue the wasted golden
occasion.
After the breather, Persepolis players had more vigor and valor, and heaped
pressure on the opponents' goalpost.
They got a marvelous chance in the 54th minute, but did not manage to place it
into the net.
Finally, Amiri's header with 18 minutes left on the clock broke the deadlock and
put the visitors in front.
The hosts could not find the target to level the score later on, and Branko
Ivankovic's men snatched the victory.
Match between
Persepolis (players
in white) & Padideh soccer teams
(photo by Islamic Republic News Agency)
Persepolis claimed its first Persian Gulf Pro League title at the inaugural
edition of the competition in the 2001-02 season. The Reds were crowned for the
second time in the 2007-08 season. They clinched the Persian Gulf Pro League
title for the third time in the 2016-17 season.
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan soccer club, commonly known as Sepahan, is the most
decorated team in Iran's top-level league with five title, having won the
championship in 2002-03, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2014-15 seasons.
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