Reds escape defeat under new coach [VIDEO]

PressTV – TABRIZ, Persepolis of Tehran have recovered a two goal deficit against Shahrdari of Tabriz in the 20th week of Iran’s Premier League (IPL) to pocket a single point with their new coach Mostafa Denizli.

The Tabrizi side’s barrage of onslaughts on the Persepolis goal early on in the game bore fruit in the 11th minute, when the Reds goalkeeper, Misagh Memarzadeh, fouled Shahrdari attacker Saeed Daghighi in the penalty area to leave the first official no choice but to point to the spot.

Daghighi stood behind the ball himself and wrong footed Memarzadeh to convert the penalty.

Memarzadeh was again at center of fray, for the wrong reasons, just before the half hour mark when his sluggishness and Jafar Bazri’s opportunism combined to help Shahrdari double their lead.

The second goal served as a wake-up call for the Persepolis attackers who had hitherto had a quiet day. The Reds pulled one back in the 38th minute with an Alireza Mohammad drive helped by a crucially convenient deflection off Shahrdari players to loop into the goal.

Tehran Reds pushed for the equalizer with even greater verve in the second half until they finally drew level on the hour mark with Ali Karimi heading in a Mehdi Mahdavikia cross past the Shardari goalkeeper.

The Reds could have even left the field with more than a point, had they been more appreciative of their opportunities. But Shahrdari, who had a few chances of their own, held on to share the spoils with their visitors.

In the other matches of the week, Naft of Tehran suffered a drubbing at the hands of the visiting Sepahan by four goals to nil; hosts Zob Ahan were similairly trounced by Saipa by three goals to nil; Damash of Gilan edged past visitors Fajr Sepasi of Shiraz by a single goal; Mes of Sarcheshme fought out a goalless draw at home against Malavan; Teraktorsazi of Tabriz put three past the home side Shahin of Bushehr; and league leaders Esteghlal were downed by solitary goal at home by Mes of Kerman.

In the table, Esteghlal remain top despite their defeat with 40 points and Persepolis and Sahrdari stand in 7th and 11th slots with 26 and 24 points respectively.