Sepahan crowned Iranian league champions after dramatic final [VIDEO]

Persianfootball.com – ESFAHAN, Sepahan Esfahan secured their fifth league title since the formation of the Iranian Professional League in 2003, thanks to a 2-0 home victory over Saba Ghom and the dramatic 3-3 draw of Tractor Sazi Tabriz and Naft Tehran.

The winner of the match in Tabriz would have topped the table after the 30th and final matchday, while only the draw allowed Sepahan to overtake the duo, which they achieved thanks to two first half goals from prolific striker Mehdi Sharifi.

In Tabriz Naft shocked the hosts early in the game when captain Ezzati gave Alireza Mansourian’s men the lead, but Tractor bounced back with first Andranik Teymourian setting up Edinho for the equalizer, before the Brazilian created Teymourian’s 2-1 shortly before halftime.

Coach Toni’s men looked like certain winners shortly after the hour mark, when a beautiful goal from Farid Karimi increased the gap to two, but only moments later Teymourian was sent off for his second booking, which should be the turning point of the match.

Amir Arsalan Motahari (76′) and Leandro Padovani (81′) leveled the scoreline, but neither side could snatch the vital winner.

In fact Tractorsazi even ran down the clock and celebrated what they thought had been enough to secure the title for some minutes, before players, fans, and officials realized Sepahan had overtaken them with the 2-0 won in Esfahan.

The second place and direct qualification for next year’s AFC Champions League will barely be a comfort for them, while Naft Tehran at least secured the third place and a Champions League qualifying spot.

Zob Ahan will join the trio in the competition after finishing the league in fourth position and meeting Naft Tehran in the Hazfi Cup final next week.

On bottom of the table, Esteghlal Khuzestan and Paykan played out a 1-1 draw, with the former now having to participate in a playoff to avoid relegation, while the latter are directly relegated alongside Naft Masjed Soleyman.

Malavan Anzali and Rah Ahan Ray avoided relegation thanks to their competitors’ draw and their narrow home wins.

Persepolis’ 1-0 win over Esteghlal in the Tehran derby will only remain a footnote of a season in which the two most popular Iranian club teams failed to set their mark on the league.

Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5j_at3ftUQ

Trophy Ceremony:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WoxqGQmrh0