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esteghlal2005-1

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

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Club Pts Pld GD
1 Sepahan 56 28 33
2 Zob Ahan 52 28 15
3 Perspolis Tehran 49 28 10
4 Esteghlal Tehran 46 28 14
5 Steel Azin 45 28 6
6 Teraktor Sazi 39 28 3
7 Paykan Qazvin 38 28 2
8 Saba Battery 36 28 1
9 Malavan 36 28 -10
10 Moghavemat Sepasi 33 28 -4
11 PAS Hamedan 33 28 -5
12 Rah Ahan 33 28 -6
13 Saipa Karaj 32 28 -12
14 Foolad Khuzestan 31 28 -2
15 Shahin Bushehr 30 28 -1
16 Mes Kerman 29 28 -10
17 Esteghlal Ahvaz 28 28 -18
18 Aboomoslem 24 28 -16