Persepolis sinks Esteghlal 4-2 to win 82nd Tehran derby

Iran’s professional football club Persepolis has managed to chalk up a notable victory against Esteghlal by a two-goal margin at the end of the 82nd showdown between the arch-rivals in the Iranian capital, Tehran.  

Branko Ivankovic’s men clad in red could overcome the Blues 4-2 in a thrilling match played under the rain at Azadi Stadium, western Tehran, and in the 26th week of Persian Gulf Pro League, the highest level of the Iranian football league system.

The game started at 5 p.m. local time (1230 GMT) and was officiated by Mohsen Torki, whom the Referees Committee of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) appointed to the task.

Persepolis footballers got off to a sound start, and forward Mehdi Taremi ran the ball down the other side of the field just after the opening, before Esteghlal defender Hanif Omranzadeh sprang into action and spoiled the Reds’ scoring chance.

The move did not disappoint Persepolis soccer players as they built up pressure on the opponent’s goal and could finally score the opener in the 5th minute, when Taremi sailed the ball past goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati and into Esteghlal’s net.

Taremi grasped another opportunity six minutes later to make his second field goal of the day, but was caught offside.

The Blues were about to draw level with the Reds in the 15th minute, when they were awarded a free kick.

It came after Persepolis goalie Sosha Makani made a save and the referee called a foul. Esteglal, though, squandered the opportunity and failed to tack the equalizer.

In the 21st minute, Esteghlal jumped at an ideal chance to show its own ability and delight its fans, but defender Khosro Heydari threw it away.

A perfectly timed header from Taremi in the 34th minute put Persepolis 2-0 ahead of Esteghlal.

The Reds won a spot kick three minutes later after vice captain Mohsen Bengar was brought down in the penalty area. Taremi forfeited the chance though as Rahmati could collect the ball.

Both teams failed to produce any more goals in the remaining minutes of the first half.

Persepolis footballers maintained their composure and lead after the breather. They made use of their strengths and resources, and Ramin Rezaeian struck the third goal of the day for the popular Iranian team in the 54th minute.

A minute later, Esteghlal midfielder Jaber Ansari strove to break up Persepolis defense and opened up the scoring for the Blues.

Midfielder Mohsen Mosalman placed the ball inside the opposite side’s net in the 86th minute to make it 4-1 for Persepolis.

A late penalty kick by Esteghlal midfielder Omid Ebrahimi in the 89th minute just before the referee blew on his whistle and signaled the end of the match took the score to 4-2.

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