TEHRAN – Persepolis football team came back from three goals down to beat struggling Esteghlal Khuzestan 4-3 in the 2023/24 Iranian Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL) season here at Azadi Stadium, Friday.
Alireza Kazemi opened the scoring for visiting team Esteghlal Khuzestan after just four minutes of the match and Aso Rostam made it 2-0 with a powerful shot into the box in the 41st minute. Kazemi completed his brace just before halftime.
Esteghlal Khuzestan’s Brazilian defender Sávio Roberto received his second yellow card in the 76th minute. Persepolis substitute Vahid Amiri was brought down in the penalty area and Mohammadhossein Kananizadegan pulled a goal back from the spot in the 76th minute.
Danial Esmaeilifar made it 3-2 two minutes later to keep hopes of winning the match alive.
With four minutes left, Issa Alekasir equalized the match and Uston Uronov scored the winning goal in the final moments of the match.
In Ghaemshahr, Esteghlal were held to a draw by relegation-threatened Nassaji.
Persepolis topped the PGPL with 62 points, one point above Esteghlal.
Esteghlal Khuzestan and Sanat Naft occupy 15th and 16th places with 22 and 20 points respectively.
Results of the 26th day:
*Paykan Tractor 0-0
*Malavan 0-1 My
*Sepahan 2-0 Havadar
*Sanat Naft 2-2 Shams Azar
*Gol Gohar 2-3 Aluminum
*Persepolis 4-3 Esteghlal Khuzestan
*Idiot 1-0 Zob Ahan
*Nassaji 0-0 Esteghlal
Photo: Iranian Football Federation website
