5/17/2008
John Duerden, goal.com
96th minute winner from Sepehr Heidari gave Persepolis the 2008 Iranian title on Saturday afternoon amid extraordinary scenes at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran.
On a day of pure drama, the Tehran giants defeated leaders Sepahan 2-1 to become champions of Iran for the first time since 2003.
With the game almost over, Heidari rose in the middle of a crowded penalty box to head home and send 110,000 fans in the famous arena into a frenzy.
Persepolis, who started the day two points behind their opponents, attacked from the start and took the lead in style after 17 minutes.
Mohsen Khalili chested the ball down just outside the area and volleyed home with a shot that gave Masound Hemami in the Sepahan goal no chance.
The Iranian striker smacked a shot against the underside of the Sepahan crossbar four minutes later when through on goal. Karim Bagheri headed the rebound over the bar.
Persepolis were rueing that miss when Sepahan equalised after 28 minutes. Ehsan Hajsafi was fed with a long ball over the top of the Reds defence and the teenager advanced into the area and slotted the ball coolly home.
The hosts spent most of the second half camped out in the Sepahan half but were unable to break down the Sepahan defence until the last seconds.
The ball spun off Heidari’s head and looped over Masoud Hemami and into the top corner of the Sepahan goal to spark pandemonium.
It is the eighth title for Persepolis and a first for coach Afshin Ghotbi in his first season with the club.
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May 17th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I only saw the match from the minute 65. Sepahan had pulled back and only defending knowing they only needed a draw. I kind of thought the result was going to stay the same, but quick thinking by Bagheri and a fine finish by (I think Heydari) in the last minute of the extra time changed the outcome. I am glad in a way, as I like Ghotbi and think that he deserved this success. I also think he would make a fine coach for the national team as well. Seapahn should also be commended as to my knowledge they are the only team from outside Tehran that has won the league in the recent years and continue to be a major contender for it.
May 18th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
[...] What transpired on Saturday in Tehran’s Azadi stadium was nothing short of a cardiac ending. Perspolis took the lead early, then gave it up, but then on the last minute of the injury time pulled off a winner. [...]
May 18th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Behrad jAn, it was Sepehr Heidari who scored the goal. I like Sepahan too, but I truly believe this Perspolis win gave the Iranian football a much needed shot in the arm.
How many teams in Asia can bring in 110,000 fans into the stadium for a club match? On top of that, how many teams could cause instant outburst of celebration across the country by winning the title?
I hope Sepahan win the Hazfi Cup and make it into Asia next year. They have been Iran’s most consistent club side in the last 7 years.