Iranian football club Zob Ahan has defeated Esteghlal Khuzestan to win Irans Super Cup, which is the trophy awarded to the winner of a match between the Persian Gulf Pro League's season champion and the winner of the Hazfi (knockout) Cup.
On Tuesday evening, the title clash at Foolad Shahr Stadium just outside the city of Esfahan, central Iran, saw the hosts beating the Ahvaz-based football club 4-2.
Zob Ahans players got off to a decent start, and midfielder Morteza Tabrizi found a marvelous opportunity in the 25th minute to score the opener. He, however, spoiled the chance and screwed his shot wide of goal.
Nine minutes later, Zob Ahans forward Yaser Feyzi seized a fine chance to put the ball in the back of the visitors net, but squandered it and the ball rolled away from Esteghlal Khuzestan goal.
The first big flashpoint of the game came in the 36th minute as an Esteghlal Khuzestan players tackle saw Zob Ahans head coach Yahya Golmohammadi react furiously. The visitors retaliated only after three minutes, and executed a tackle that flared up tempers again.
In the 40th minute, Zob Ahan defender Vahid Mohammadzadeh committed a handball inside the 18-yard box, and the referee Seyyed Reza Mahdavi pointed to the penalty spot.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"]
This photo shows a view of Irans Super Cup match between Zob Ahan (players in white) and Esteghlal Khuzestan football clubs at Foolad Shahr Stadium just outside the city of Esfahan, central Iran, on July 19, 2016. (IRNA)[/caption]Zob Ahans goalkeeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri, though, made a great save and killed off the visitors scoring hopes.
Esteghlal Khuzestans footballers then failed in their assault to get a goal, before linesman Majid Vishgahi decided that the penalty kick must be repeated. Esteghlal Khuzestans midfielder Meysam Doraghi subsequently converted the shot into a goal and put his squad 1-0 ahead.
After the interval, the hosts mounted a raft of offenses but it was again the visitors who scored a goal. Esteghlal Khuzestans forward Rahim Mehdi Zohaivio smashed a beautiful header into the back of the net in the 52nd minute.
In the 68th minute, Tabrizi netted Zob Ahans first goal when he converted a header into the opposite sides net.
Six minutes after that, Feyzi headed in a corner kick to net the equalizer and level the game 2-2.
Both teams failed to produce a goal in the remaining minutes of the second half, and the game extended into the extra-time. Vishgahi awarded Zob Ahan a penalty kick in the 93rd minute, and midfielder Mehdi Mehdipour struck a shot that kissed Esteghlal Khuzestans net.
Zob Ahan earned the winning penalty in the 113th minute, before the referee issued a red card to Esteghlal Khuzestans goalkeeper Goudarz Davoudi and he was sent off the field.
By Press TV
