10/29/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

More Troubles for the BLUEs!

Once again the week belonged to Sepahan as this team’s victory over UAE’s Alwahda meant for the first time in the Asian Championship League history, an Iranian team would participate in the finals. Bonacic’s team continued to play smart and with the 3 -1 victory of the first leg needed a calculated match to qualify for the finals. The scoreless draw secured the qualification.

Table leaders Perspolis traveled to Anzali to face Malavan. Malavan started the match at 4th place but the tie settled them down at the 6th position. The game was a hard fought match. Perspolis began with 30 minutes of offensive minded football and Nikbakht Vahdi scored the RED’s only goal. Malavan soon scored the equalizer and from that point on, the two teams played an even match. It is important to note that the streak is still alive. Perspolis has not lost a match this season and going to last season has not lost in 21 straight matches.

At second place, Sepahan has played three matches less than Perspolis and if they could win all their matches, they would take over the first place. As the schedule has it, the last match of the season will be between Perspolis and Sepahan. Many believe that match will determine the league champion.

Esteghlal had another lukewarm effort. This time they tied Abumoslem. Abumoslem had just signed a new head coach and Parvis Mazloomi happens to be a well known former BLUE. Mazloomi needed to get points for his troubled team and they did just that in Tehran.

For the first few weeks of the season, Saba Battery acted like a contender. Nowadays, they are simply the “King of Ties” and with yet another tie, are 7 points off the lead.

COACHEING SITUATIONS

Pegah (18th last place) – Coach #2, Darko who took over another fired coach last week was removed as the head coach and will now work as an assistant coach in the team. Nader Dastneshan is the new coach.

Zoabahan (17th place) – The team fired Georgeovich last week and the new head coach, Rashidi, experienced the first victory with his team.

Abumoslem (16th place) – Parviz Mazloomi is the new head coach.

Paykan (12th place) – Many expected Paykan to be a contender this year. With only 12 points and far from contention, Armanian Samuel Darbanian is on the hot seat. A loss next week could push them to the 17th position and that may be an end of his work at Paykan.

Esteghlal (7th position) – During the week Esteghlal General Manager was quoted to stay that Hejazi was given until the mid season to turn the team around. On Monday, it was reported that the BLUEs board of directors have issued an ultimatum that this week’s match against Paykan will be Hejazi’s last chance.

Here are the results of the 11th week:

(Home teams are noted first)

Malavan 1 – Perspolis 1

Esteghlal of Ahvaz 3 – Pegah 2

Esteghlal 1 – Abumoslem 1

Moghavemat Sepassi 2 – Sanat Naft 0

Pas 3 – Rahahan 1

Shirin Faraz 1 – Saba Battery 1

Zobahan 1 – Paykan 0

Saipa 0 – Barg 1

TABLE RANKINGS

1 – Perspolis 25 points

2 – Sepahan 19 (three games in hand)

3 – Saba Battery 18

4 – Barg – 17

5 – Esteghlal Ahvaz 16

6 – Malavan 15

7 – Esteghlal 14

…

10 – Saipa 13

Kaveh_Mahjoob@hotmail.com