Sepahan eliminated from FIFA club world cup

Persianmirror - Sepahan of Esfahan took on Urawa Reds of Japan in the quarter finals of FIFA club world cup on December 10th, the winner would be rewarded with a semi final tie against Italian giants AC Milan. Having brushed aside New Zealand's Waitakere United 3-1 in the first round Sepahan were eager to avenge their Asian Champions League final defeat to Urawa Reds last month, this was the third meeting between the two sides in 5 weeks. With Japan hosting FIFA club world cup Urawa Reds had the advantage of playing on home soil and enjoyed home crowd support nicknamed 'the twelfth player'.

Urawa Reds once again proved their high level of professionalism in this game; they were well organised, comfortable on the ball with accurate passes and a game plan which became apparent early in the first half. Sepahan had a solid centre defence with Aghili and Bengar in the back, Savari did well in goal, Urawa Reds avoided Sepahan's centre defence and used the flanks to penetrate Sepahan's back line, this was a plan that paid off for the Japanese.

Urawa Reds asserted their authority on the game as the first half progressed, they were rewarded with a 32nd minute goal scored by Yuichiro Nagai from close range thanks to clever work on the left by Takahito Soma who sent in a low cross that went between several Sepahan players and the keeper, excellent positioning by Nagai gave Urawa the much anticipated lead, the first half ended 1-0.

Sepahan made a double substitution during half time adding Mahmoud Karimi to Emad Reza upfront and playing a 4-3-3 formation. This was a positive and risky move by Sepahan head coach Luka Bonacic but with Sepahan a goal down the Croat was left with no choice but to push men forward. On the plus side Sepahan became more of a threat to Urawa Reds in the second half and created several goal scoring opportunities.

Unfortunately Sepahan failed to deal with Urawa's attacks from the flanks; Urawa punished Sepahan with a second goal scored by their Brazilian striker Washington from a very acute angle ten minutes into second half. By pushing men forward Sepahan became vulnerable in the back. An unfortunate own goal from Hadi Aghili put the game beyond Sepahan's reach, Aghili played well in this match and should not be judged by the own goal, I expect to see Aghili as a first team player in the national side regardless of who is appointed as Team Melli head coach.

Mahmoud Karimi wearing Sepahan's captain armband in the second half scored a late consolation goal for the Persian side but it was too little too late, the match ended 3-1 to Urawa Reds; the Japanese side will meet AC Milan on Thursday December 13th. Sepahan have had a tremendous year as Iran's sole representative in Asian football, they have gained valuable experience at international level and are now a far more confident and professional team than they were last season.

Sepahan have shown high discipline and are now playing the best football in Iran, their defeat at the hands of Urawa Reds is purely a reflection of higher standards in the J-League than Iran's PGL. Sepahan are currently in second place in PGL 6 points behind Persepolis but with 3 games in hand, there is no substitute to experience and as such Sepahan for me are the firm favourites to win the league in Iran this season.

This article was contributed by AFSHIN DASTAFSHAN.