PGL week 32; no changes at the top of PGL table

[Afshin]

(PFC) The top 3 teams in the Persian Gulf League (PGL) failed to gain any advantage in week 32 matches which saw all 3 title contenders drawing.  In Tehran second place Persepolis took on Bargh Shiraz in the hope of moving to the top of the table, league leaders Sepahan took on third place Saba Battery in the hope of extending their lead at the top while Saba knew they had the chance to move to the top of the table level with leaders Sepahan if they could beat them in Esfahan, Sunday May 11th was a very tense day in Iran football.  Fourth place Pas FC took on Esteghlal but Pas had no realistic chance of winning the league.  All 9 matches kicked off at 16:15 Iran time to ensure no team would gain any advantage by knowing the result from another match before kicking off theirs.

There was a nail biting match in Tehran with Persepolis piling on the pressure on Bargh in the hope of taking all 3 points, Bargh on the other hand have pace upfront and have proven deadly on counter attacks so there was a degree of apprehension in the way Persepolis went about the match.  Things appeared to be going Persepolis’ way when they took the lead late in the first half thanks to a skilful finish from striker Khalili, this was coupled with Saba Battery taking the lead against Sepahan less than one minute later, the fist half ended Persepolis 1 – Bargh 0, Sepahan 0 – Saba Battery 1; first half score put Persepolis at the top of the table on 55 points followed by Sepahan and Saba both of 54 points.

There was more than a twist or two in matches across Iran in the second half.  Bargh Shiraz started the second half on the attack and gave Persepolis a hard time, Bargh were rewarded with an equaliser in the 57th minute when continued pressure finally broke the back of Persepolis defence, disaster struck for Persepolis when Sepahan equalised against Saba in Esfahan one minute later, the two score-lines cancelled out first half results.  Despite a late surge by Persepolis Bargh held on for a share of the points, Persepolis had themselves to blame for wasting a number of scoring opportunities.

There was more drama and more goals in Esfahan though, Sepahan took the lead through a magnificent Kazemi strike from outside of Saba penalty area in 73rd minute to extend their lead at the top of the table, this would also have put Saba out of contention, however, Fazli equalised for Saba Battery 5 minutes later which meant the top 3 teams in PGL drew their matches.  With 2 matches left Sepahan lead the table by 2 points on 55 points, Persepolis on 53 points and Saba Battery on 52 are in second and third places.

Week 32 full results (May 11th)

Pas 1 – Esteghlal 1
Persepolis 1 – Bargh 1
Naft 1 – Zobahan 1
Sepahan 2 – Saba 2
Abumoslem 1 – Shirin-Faraz 0
Rah-Ahan 2 – Malavan 1
Pegah 1 – Saipa 0
Fajre Sepasi 2 – Esteghlal Ahvaz 2
Peykan 1 – Mes 1

Week 33 fixtures (May 14th)

All kicks-offs at 16:30 Iran time

Sepahan vs Naft
Esteghlal vs Zobahan
Saba Battery vs Perspolis
Esteghlal Ahvaz vs Pas
Bargh vs Pegah
Malavan vs Fajr
Saipa vs Abumoslem
Mes vs Rahahan
Shirin Faraz vs Peykan

Afshin Dastafshan
adastafshan@persianmirror.com

[dashali]

Thanks Afshin jan for the news. I think the last week will be the week to watch. I am not sure if PP can take care of Saba...

Iranetehhhhhhhhh

[Afshin]

dashali jaan, if Persepolis lose to Saba and Sepahan beat Naft then PP are out of it, they would no longer be able to catch Sepahan even if they beat them on the last day, Saba cannot even afford to draw with Persepolis, they have to win to have any chance of winning the league.

There is huge mental pressure on these players, half the battle is overcoming the stress so that they can play their game, the league could be settled on Wednesday unless there is a winner in PP Saba match, a draw would not suit either team, one has to win.  As for Sepahan, they are in a strong position, they just need to focus on beating Naft, and then look and see what happened in PP match, they might get a pleasant News that they have won PGL with one game in hand, but we all want this to go to the wire and the final match between PP & Sepahan on the last day, what a match that will be, I can see 100,000 turning up at Azadi Stadium.