Persepolis loses to Zenit in Dubai

MNA – DUBAI, Iranian football team Persepolis lost to Zenit St Petersburg of Russian in the Dubai Matchworld Cup.

Persepolis, who defeated Sparta Prague 3-0 in its first match, lost 2-0 to the 2010 Russian Premier League champion at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Monday night.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov opened Persepolis’ goal just six minutes into the game. Semak scored for the Russian powerhouse team in the 78th minute. Luciano Spalletti’s outfit will face Saudi champion Al Hilal, after topping Group B with six points. Persepolis is scheduled to play Zilina from Slovakia in the third place match on Wednesday.

“We played against a powerful European team. Persepolis could have lost with more goals against Zenit. Definitely, there is a big gap between the European teams and us. These teams play in a high level and make life difficult for us,” Persepolis coach Ali Daei said in the post match news conference.

The Matchworld Cup 2011 features six top European and Middle Eastern teams competing for the inaugural trophy.

Persepolis is gearing up for the second half of the season of the Iran’s Professional League. The Tehran-based team is sixth in the table.