Sepahan slip past Esteghlal in shootout [VIDEO]

Persianfootball.com – TEHRAN, In a thrilling semi-final encounter during Iran’s annual Hafzi Cup tournament, Sepahan proved better in a stunning penalty shootout.

Things began ugly for the visitors  when Sepahan defender Farshid Talebi was given his marching orders after a clear foul on Blues striker Arash Borhani, denying him a clear opportunity to put Esteghlal ahead.

Though Sepahan bounced back when Team Melli striker Mohammadreza Khalatbari netted a left footed twenty-five yard shot, leaving Esteghlal keeper Mehdi Rahmati helpless and ten man Sepahan in front.

Work for the home side looked cut out for them when Khosro Heydari received a second yellow after an unsportsmanship clash between him and Khalatbari. But just seconds later, parity was restored for Esteghlal when Hatami took advantage of a defending blunder right in front of Sepahan’s goal, sending a half filled Azadi stadium wild.

Both teams played out too 120 minutes, and the match would be decided by penalties.

It all came down to Mohsen Irannejad to send Sepahan to the finals after Mehdi Rahmati failed to convert his penalty. Rahmati redeemed himself and saved the penalty, but when Hatami failed to score later on, Australian Milan Susak ended the shootout sending the former Team Melli keeper the wrong way. (PSO Sepahan 6-5 Esteghlal)

Sepahan will play the winner of Persepolis versus Damash to decide of the final fixture of the Hafzi cup.

Below come the extended match highlights from PFDC TV.