IRNA - Malavan grabbed a late winner to beat
the visiting Sepahan 1-0 in the eighth week of the fifth Iran Pro League on
the rain-drenched pitch of Takhti Stadium in Bandar Anzali, northern Gilan
Province, Friday.
Sepahan keeper Massoud Homami, who deputized injured Armenak Petrossian,
failed to save a Hadi Nazarpak free-kick five minutes from time, giving
substitute Mohammad Gholami enough time and space to poke home the rebound.
Supported by more than 7,000 partisan fans, the Navy's side gave the visitor
the first warning in the 12th minute when Jalal Khavandi shaved the post
with a header.
Homami palmed away a curling goal-bound set piece from Nazarpak on 22
minutes.
Mojtaba Qorbani came close to the opener 14 minutes into second half after
he destroyed Sepahan defense line, but he missed the scoring chance with a
carelessly-hit drive.
Sepahan could take the lead in the 82nd minute when a powerful kick from
striker Rassoul Khatibi was well saved by Massoud Gholam-Alizad.
Malavan lies in the eighth place on 12 points and Sepahan occupies the third
slot with 15 points.
