Press TV - Irans professional soccer club Perspolishas claimed the championshipof Irans Persian Gulf Pro League, formerly known asIran Pro League (IPL),following a victory overMachine Sazi Tabriz Soccer Club.
The Tehran-based giants defeated Machine Sazi, which sat rock bottom of the Pro League table with just sixteen points on the board from 27 games, 2-0 at the multi-purpose Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium in Tabriz on Saturday, and put an end to a nine-year title drought.
The red-clad Perspolis players started the match in a dominant fashion. Striker Mehdi Taremi was through on goal with only Machine Sazi goalkeeperto beat very early into the game, but failed to find target.
The 29-year-old Perspolis midfielder Vahid Amir then picked the ball and passed it to teammate Ali Amiri, who scored into anempty goal.
Amiri took up another suitable chance to double his teams lead in the fifth minute, but a tackle by Machine Sazi defender simply ruined the opportunity.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"]
This photo shows a view of the match between Perspolis soccer team (players in red) and Machine Sazi at Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium in Tabriz, northeastern Iran, on April 15, 2017. (Photo by Mehr news agency)[/caption]In the 7th minute, Taremi committed a faux pas in yet another one-on-onewithMehdi Eslami. He kicked the ball againstthe goalies feet, leaving Perspolis fans stunned to rue the wasted golden opportunity.
Perspolis was awarded a directfree kick ten minutes later. Midfielder Soroush Rafiei planted the ball for Taremi, who blasted it against Machine Sazis wallofdefense.
The hosts could not find the target to level the score later on, and Perspolis led 1-0 at theendofthe first half.
After the breather, Perspolis playershad more vigor and valor, and heapedpressureon the opponents goalpost.
They were awarded a corner in the 49th minute, but did not manage to place it into the net.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"]
This photo shows a view of the match between Perspolis soccer team (players in red) and Machine Sazi at Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium in Tabriz, northeastern Iran, on April 15, 2017. (Photo by Mehr news agency)[/caption]Machine Sazi midfielder Hamed Pakdel could not beat Perspolis keeper Alireza Beiranvand one-on-one two minutes later.
In the 69th minute, Alipour was brought down in the penalty area and Taremi converted the kick into Perspoliss second goal.
Perspolis 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.
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan soccer club, commonly known asSepahan, 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.
