Patchy pitch, poor performance, power cut not something new

MNA – What loomed large again in the Iran Pro League was blackout, lackluster performance, and uneven field host Fulad and the capital’s Esteqlal played on in the southern city of Ahvaz Sunday.

The state television, due to power failure, managed to air just two minutes of the first half of the rescheduled third-week match live.

Holder Esteqlal and IPL-winning Fulad struggled to a spiritless scoreless draw in Takhti Stadium.

Fulad had only one scoring chance in the 83rd minute when Hojjat Chaharmahali chested the ball before his acrobatic kick passed above the crossbar.

But Esteqlal should have been propelled back to the top spot in the 16-strong table in the last moments.

Right winger Mohammad Navazi spotted substitute Asghar Taleb-Nassab in the box four minutes from normal time, but the unmarked striker spoiled the golden opportunity with a carelessly-struck drive.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Esteqlal substitute Morteza Hashemizadeh played a defender’s role as he passed the ball to Fulad keeper Hassan Huri.

The stalemate placed Esteqlal in the second spot with 15 points out of seven games, sticking to the pacesetter SAIPA’s heels and the third-placed Esteqlal of Ahvaz on goal difference.

Esteqlal meets old foe Persepolis in their traditional derby in the 100,000-seater Azadi Stadium in western Tehran next Friday.