Mes vs Sepahan

AFC - Sepahan took Iran football beyond the borders of the capital Tehran two years ago when they reached the final of the AFC Champions League (ACL).

But as the Esfahan club prepare for this year’s ACL, their heroics of two years ago appear to be a distant memory.

Just one week before they take on UAE’s Al Shabab, Sepahan suffered a domestic blow when they lost 2-1 to Mes in the Iran Pro League.

That left them in fifth place on 48 points, 10 points behind leaders and fellow ACL challengers Esteghlal.

Sepahan were on a winning run before a 0-0 draw against Persepolis, another ACL team, last week and Wednesday’s defeat to third-placed Mes.

An injury to playmaker Moharam Navid Kia hasn’t helped their cause and they will be hoping he is fit to lead them against Al Shabab on March 11.

Farshad Bahadorani opened the scoring for Sepahan in the 28th minute before Faraz Fatemi (40) and Paulo Zaltron (47) replied for Mes.

Sepahan, under coach Farhad Kazemi, became the first team from outside Tehran to win the country’s elite league in 2003. They reached the 2007 ACL final, losing to Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.

Apart from Al Shabab, they face Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettiqaf in Group D of this year’s tournament.

Esteghlal drew 1-1 against Zob Ahan in a top-of-the-table clash to maintain their one-point lead over their opponents. They take on Saudi side Al Ittihad away on March 11 in a Group C clash.

Persepolis went down 2-1 at home to Moghavemat for fourth place, a disappointing result ahead of their ACL Group B home match against UAE’s Sharjah on March 10.

Saba Battery, who take on Saudis Al Hilal away in Group A, drew 2-2 with Foolad.

Leading standings (After 30 rounds): 1. Esteghlal 58, 2. Zob Ahan 57, 3. Mes 49, 4. Persepolis 49, 5. Sepahan 48.
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