Esteqlal fights back to beat Faraz

Tehran, Nov 18, IRNA -Esteqlal of Tehran fought back Sunday to win a League Cup match against the underdog Faraz of Qom. Playing on the field of Takhti Stadium, southern Tehran, the blues changed a first-half humiliating defeat with a late narrow 2-1 victory in the second half. 
Esteqlal was stunned in the third minute as Faraz striker Abolfazl Imani-Rad slotted home, giving his side more confidence. 
The home side did not find the net in the first half but it hit twice after the break. 
The blues equalizer came as defender-cum-striker Mehdi Hashemi-Nassab headed home an Ahmad Feiz-Karimloo in the 60th minute. Striker Faraz Fatemi well-fed by Feiz-Karimloo in the box rose to head a volley three minutes from the normal time, handing Faraz a 2-1 loss in the first leg. 
Iran's Football Federation (IFF) will announce the date of second-leg match later. The winner is to meet Sepahan of Isfahan.