IRNA - Visitor Esteqlal of Tehran lost a
football friendly against the 10-man Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates
Friday night. Al Wasl netted in the 32nd and 39th minutes to win the first
half 2-0.
Esteqlal striker Faraz Fatemi minimized the gap 15 minutes after the restart
and Amir-Hossein Sadeqi scored the equalizer 10 minutes from the normal
time.
Al Wasl, which reduced to 10 men since the second half grabbed the winner by
former Esteqlal striker Farhad Majidi, who headed home a newly-signed
Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi cross on 88 minutes.
Ahmed Firouz of the home team was red-carded for a wild foul on Esteqlal
skipper Mahmoud Fekri in the stoppage time of the first half.
Al Wasl imported the national midfielder of Tehran`s Esteqlal, Alireza
Nikbakht-Vahedi, on loan on Feb 3.
Nikbakht plays for the Emirati football squad for four months, said the
Esteqlal Club vice-president adding that the two sides will negotiate for
extending the contract in case Al Wasl reaches an agreement with the Iranian
player and club after the term.
Hashem Saedi, who declines to reveal the sum of the contract added the Al
Wasl officials gave Nikbakht the nod to join the Emirati team after his
performance in Esteqlal-Persepolis derby in the 100,000-seater Azadi Stadium
on Feb 2.
He said Esteqlal manager Amir Qal`e-Noei helped Nikbakht join Al Wasl.
Esteqlal re-signed Mojahed Khaziravi, who was banned 20 months ago for an
immoral act.
The midfielder has inked a four-year contract with his ex-team on Feb 3.