Nekounam brace as Osasuna trounce Espanyol
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...PFDC – PAMPLONA, Javad Nekounam led Osasuna to an impressive 4-0 thrashing of Espanyol Barcelona in the first game of new headcoach Mendilibar on Sunday.
Masoud Shojaei also contributed to the win with one assist.
Mendilibar, who had replaced Camacho last week, put his trust in both Iranians as he started Nekounam in central defensive and Masoud Shojaei in offensive midfield and should be rewarded.
Nekounam scored the opening goal, heading a corner kick into the net after just 14 minutes.
The Iranian national team skipper doubled the lead ten minutes into second half, converting a penalty kick after a handball.
Ten minutes from time Lolo added a third before Shojaei assisted Soriano’s 4-0 two minutes before the end of regular time.
Both Iranian players showed impressive displays, Shojaei earning standing ovations when being substituted after 89 minutes.
In Germany, Ali Karimi, still uncapped since moving to German Bundesliga a few weeks ago, was not in the 18-men-roster as Schalke suffered a 1-2 defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach.
