Persepolis struggle continues [VIDEO]

PFDC – TEHRAN, Karim Ansarifard’s first goal for Persepolis FC wasn’t enough to secure victory over promoted Gahar Zagros in Iran’s Persian Gulf League round 3 on Monday.

Ansarifard, who was the topscorer of the league last season when he was still with Saipa Karaj, vollied the ball into the net after a poor clearance to a freekick, just 16 minutes into the match.

Persepolis had several chances to increase the lead, but poor finishing kept the game open.

Manuel Jose’s team had to finish the game with just ten players, after Mehrdad Pouladi, who played in midfield instead of defense today, received his marching orders for his second booking, 12 minutes from time.

The Tehran giants were punished just three minutes later, when former Persepolis striker Mojtaba Zarei tapped the ball into the empty net following a heavy blunder from goalkeeper Shahab Gordan, who failed to clear a simple cross.

Ansarifard could have secured the three points shortly afterwards, but his shot, which had beaten the keeper, was cleared off the goalline by a defender.

Also Gahar were reduced to ten men after 90 minutes, when Hadi Rekabi went into the referee’s book for a second time.

Persepolis were even lucky not to lose the game, when a correct goal from Mohammad Faal – almost a carbon copy from last week’s ungiven goal from Saipa’s Saeid Daghighi against Esteghlal – remained unspotted by the refereeing trio in injury time.

In the other game of the day, Jalal Rafkhaei’s hattrick secured a 3-1 away victory for Malavan Anzali over Asian Champions League hopefuls Saba Battery Qom, who had taken an early lead through Ramin Rezaian.

The goals, of which two came from the penalty spot, rose the striker’s goal tally to five this season, thus helping him overtaking the lead in the goalscorers’ ranking ahead of Saba’s Milad Nouri, who had scored four goals in the previos two rounds.

On Tuesday, the league will resume with seven fixtures, including Esteghlal vs. Zob Ahan and Sepahan vs. Rah Ahan.