IranGoals | Iran Football Videos

PFDC, Tehran
Esteghlal Tehran secured their first league title since 2001, winning the fifth edition of the Iranian Professional League (IPL) thanks to a 4-1 thrashing of Bargh Shiraz in front of more than 100.000 fans in the sold-out Azadi stadium.

The “Blues” win made Pas Tehran’s 4-2 win over Saba Battery meaningless, as the Tehran giants kept their one-point-lead.

Esteghlal, who had failed in similar situation twice during the last four years, took an early lead through goalgetter Reza Enayeti, who headed home a cross from the outstanding Ali-Reza Vahedi-Nikbakht after 10 minutes. Bargh goalkeeper Ashkan Namdari had misjudged the cross.

Namdari made an even bigger mistake three minutes later, when he this time misjugded a powerful, however, centrally placed freekick by Siavash Akbarpour from far out, which found it’s way into the net.

Bargh coach Zlatko Ivankovic, brother of Iran’s national team coach Branko Ivankovic, reacted to Namdari’s embarassing display and replaced the goalkeeper by the then much stronger Reza Haj Osboei in minute 20.

Esteghlal controlled the game, however, Bargh still created a handful of dangerous scoring opportunities, but were denied by the strong Esteghlal keeper Vahid Talebloo, the woodwork or the own unprecise finishing.

But also Esteghlal had plenty of chances, the best by defensive midfielder Kazemi, who’s powerful shot came off the crossbar.

In minute 74, Kazemi turned provider, when he perfectly played the ball into Akbarpour’s path in a counter, the young striker curving around the chanceless Haj Osboei before making it 3-0 with his eleventh goal of the season.

After another counter attack, Enayati added his second of the day and 21st of the season three minutes later, making it 4-0 and securing his third IPL topscorer title. The striker exceeded his own IPL record from last season, when he had netted 20 times.

Bargh Shiraz, reduced to ten men after 78 minutes when Matouri received his marching orders, got a chance for consolation six minutes from time, when referee Torki awarded a penalty kick following a foul from Amir-Hossein Sadeghi, however, Talebloo denied Behrooz Pakniat’s spotkick.

Pakniat did it better four minutes into injury time when he marked the 4-1, which of course couldn’t stop Esteghlal’s celebrations.

Pas Tehran had done their share, defeating Saba Battery by 4-2. A hattrick from leftwinger Meysam Maniei as well as a goal from midfielder Kianoosh Rahmati gave Pas a meaningless victory. Soltani and national team skipper Ali Daei, who converted a direct freekick to mark his eleventh goal of the season, had scored for the homeside.

IPL Champions Esteghlal Tehran will now represent Iran in the AFC Champions League next season. The second lucrative Champions League spot goes to the Hazfi Cup winners. Should Esteghlal also win the Cup, vice-Champions Pas will again appear internationally.

Below comes the final table of the 2005/06 IPL season, the two bottom placed teams will be relegated.

Teams		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts	PR
1	Esteghlal	30	16	11	3	44	17	+27	59	1
2	Pas	30	16	10	4	54	29	+25	58	2
3	Saipa	30	13	13	4	41	21	+20	52	4
4	Saba	30	13	11	6	35	31	+4	50	3
5	Abumoslem	30	12	10	8	31	23	+8	46	6
6	ZobAhan	30	12	10	8	41	30	+11	45	5
7	Sepahan	30	12	7	11	38	32	+6	43	8
8	Foolad	30	11	8	11	30	41	-11	41	7
9	Perspolis	30	9	11	10	39	40	-1	38	9
10	Fajr-Sepasi	30	8	12	10	28	34	-6	36	10
11	Malavan	30	10	6	14	29	38	-9	36	11
12	Est-Ahvaz	30	9	8	13	42	43	-1	35	12
13	Rah-Ahan	30	9	7	14	27	43	-16	34	13
14	Bargh	30	6	10	14	23	37	-14	28	14
15	Shemoshak	30	4	11	15	19	39	-20	23	15
16	Ghandi	30	4	7	19	21	43	-22	19	16