Cup win gives Zob Ahan AFC Champions League berth

AFC – Zob Ahan, of Esfahan, will play in next season’s AFC Champions League after beating Fajr-e Sepassi on penalties in Thursday night’s final of the Hazfi Cup.

The win, together with Sepahan’s first league triumph, marks Esfahan out as the new stronghold of Iranian football following years in the shadow of teams from the capital city, Tehran. Both teams will now feature in the prestigious 2003/4 AFC Champions League.

With both sides locked together at 2-2 following last week first leg, it was Zob who struck first, Amir Vaziri scoring in the 11th minute to give his side a 3-2 aggregate lead.

The score remained that way until the 65th minute when Mehdi Rajabzade equalised for Fajr, who were playing in their third consecutive Hazfi Cup final. Parity did not last long, however, as Zob retook the lead through Sepehr Heidari on 78 minutes.

But with six minutes to go, the Fajr supporters were celebrating again as Mahmood Mohammadi struck to level things up at 2-2 (4-4 on aggregate) and send the game into extra time.

Neither side could take an advantage in extra time, so the game went into penalties, which Zob snatched in 7-6 in sudden death after both sides scored with the five regulation kicks.

"We were ahead in both the first and the second leg and then ended with a draw," said Zob coach Rasool Korbekandi after the match. "At the end we got what we deserved in penalties. I am happy for having brought the city of Esfahan another victory."

Fajr coach Gholam Peyrovani was understandably upset about the loss. "We were forced to make two substitutions and, in doing that, I had taken out two of our best penalty takers," he said. "It was a shame but I'm satisfied with my players. I could not believe we could lose until the very last end."