Osasuna secure La Liga spot, Rubin qualify for Europa League

Persianfootball.com – PAMPLONA, CA Osasuna came from a goal down to defeat FC Sevilla 2-1 in the 37th round of La Liga 2012/13 and avoid relegation with one game in hand.

With Masoud Shojaei earning his second start after his return from the lengthy injury, which had sidelined him for more than a season, Osasuna showed determination to secure a spot in La Liga 2012/2013 with a win, but conceded a goal shortly after halftime.

But goals from veteran skipper Punal and Cejudo finally turned things around and sealed another season in Spain’s top flight for the Basques.

An exhausted Masoud Shojaei was subbed out shortly after Sevilla’s goal for a centerforward, after having shown a pleasing performance which saw him create quite a lot of danger in Sevilla’s box.

The win solves a possible huge dilemma for the Iranian international, as the final matchday in Spanish La Liga is scheduled just two days prior to Iran’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Doha.

With relegation certainly avoided, Osasuna will likely let Shojaei join the Team Melli training camp in the UAE this week already though.

However, with Shojaei’s contract in Pamplona running out this summer, this might have been the 28-year-old’s last appearance for the club he had joined in 2008.

Europa League for Haghighi and Azmoun

Like Iranian striker Reza Ghoochannejhad and Standard Liege in Belgium, Rubin Kazan secured a spot for next season’s Europa League on the final matchday.

Rubin defeated Krasnodar 2-0 and thanks to Dinamo Moscow’s goalless draw could clinch the sixth place and the final Europa league berth.

Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi, like during the previous weeks, sat on the bench as reserve keeper while his young teammate Sardar Azmoun this time did not make the squad but remained with the youth team.

The 25-year-old has yet to play a competitive game for Rubin, but at least established himself as second goalkeeper recently.

Haghighi will now join Iran’s training camp as well.