Persepolis losing streak ends in Tehran

PTV – TEHRAN, Persepolis has clinched its first victory after five consecutive defeats thanks to a solo late goal and dramatic return of head coach Ali Daei to the Tehrani club.

Substitute Shpetim Arfi scored the only goal against Saipa in the 83rd minute in front of more than 10,000 fans at Tehran’s Takhti Stadium on Thursday.

Daei, who resigned last weekend over disappointing results with the Reds, was asked by managers and players to return and steer the team out of its debacle.

“A new Persepolis has been born, which is expected to be successful in upcoming matches, and those, who would not cooperate with the team, will be sacked,” Daei told reporters after the match.

“Today, we were a team and we won and we showed that we can believe in ourselves,” said the former Iranian national team captain.

Persepolis now stands in the sixth place with 30 points behind its main rival Esteqlal, which suffered its second straight defeat in the 20th week of the Iranian Premier League.

Holder Zobahan edged out Esteqlal 2-1 with Jalal Rafkhahi and Mohammad Reza Khalatbari’s goals against Arash Borhani’s first-half goal at Azadi Stadium later on Thursday.

In Esfahan, Sepahan came back to win Foulad 3-2, standing in the second place with 34 points and two games in hand.

Mes, Rah Ahan, Shahin, and Teraktorsazi also beat their rivals Malavan, Sanat Naft, Saba, and Shahrdari respectively with the same result of 1-0.

Peykan, led by Hamid Alidousti, defeated Pas while bottom-placed Steel Azin was held to a 2-2 tie by Naft.