Grozny – The Russian Premier League has become very appealing to Iranian football fans due to the recent success of TM stars Azmoun and Ezatolahi of FK Rostov but today the match between Terek Grozny and Rostov was even more appealing as Iranian left back Milad Mohammadi featured the whole match for Terek Grozny.
Entering today’s match, both teams had identical records with seven points. Rostov were riding high after their recent victory over Ajax on 24 August that propelled them to the group stage of UEFA Champions League.
But home side Terek Grozny knew they would have their work cut out for them if they wanted to come away with a victory.
Ivan Novoseltsev got Rostov on the board when he scored a goal that was assisted by Aleksandr Yerokhin in the 31st minute to give his side a 1-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for Terek Grozny to respond as Albanian forward Bekim Balaj scored two minutes later to tie up the match.
In what turned out to be an amazing span of four minutes, Venezuelan defender Wilker Angel scored in the 35th minute to give Terek Grozny a 2-1 lead.
The crowd at Akhmat Arena were ecstatic and full of energy as Terek Grozny went into the half with a 2-1 lead.
The match was much more physical in the second half as the referee handed out five yellow cards. Two of those yellow cards went to Aleksandru Catcan of Rostov as he was sent off in the 70th minute.
Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun of Rostov featured the entire ninety minutes while Iranian midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi came on for left back Fedor Kudryashov late in the first half.
Terek Grozny left back Milad Mohammadi was solid in his third appearance of the season.
The Chechen club now sit in third place with ten points and will face Russian champions CSKA Moscow in the nation’s capital on 10 September.
Rostov will look to regroup when they face Krylya Sovetov Samara at home after the international break on 10 September.
This was definitely an entertaining match for Iranian football fans as three members of the National Team of Iran were on the field for the majority of the match but now Azmoun, Ezatolahi, and Mohammadi need to forget about their club duties and prepare for the final round of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
Iran will face Qatar in Tehran on 1 September and five days later they will face China away from home.
The three Russian based players need to be in top form to help their national side qualify to Russia 2018.