Ahvaz – It is official. Esteghlal Khuzestan – the feel good story of the Iranian Pro League – have done the impossible and are champions of the IPL after defeating Zob Ahan 2-0 in the season finale.
A full house was on hand at the Ghadir Stadium in Ahvaz in the biggest match in the short history of Esteghlal Khuzestan.
Clearly the fans inside the stadium were concerned with the result between Persepolis and Rah Ahan at the Azadi Stadium but all the focus was on beating Zob Ahan no matter what it took.
Zob Ahan keeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri was kept busy in the first half as Esteghlal Khuzestan came close to taking the lead on more than one occasion.
Mohammadreza Abbasi nearly gave Zob Ahan the lead in stoppage time with some excellent dribbling skills but his left shooted shot in the penalty area went wide. Abbasi was on the ground with his head down as he knew that he missed an excellent opportunity to score.
The teams went into the locker room scoreless at the half just like Persepolis and Rah Ahan. The stage was set for a nail biting second half.
Esteghlal were under attack to start the second half but the score remained 0-0. In the fifty-fifth minute, Rahim Zohaivi leaped high to head in a long cross from Fellipe Bertoldo to give Esteghlal Khuzestan a 1-0 lead. Zohaivi’s cross bounced off the cross bar and crossed the goal line. The fans in the stadium erupted in joy. There was a lot of time remaining but they knew the goal was crucial.
Two minutes later, left back Aghil Kaabi received a back heel pass from Farshad Janfaza and got past Zob Ahan defender Ali Hamam. Kaabi continued his run into the penalty area and centered the ball. Rahim Zohaivi received the ball and fired it in with his left to give Esteghlal Khuzestan a 2-0 lead, causing the fans in the stadium to erupt.
Persepolis beat Rah Ahan 2-1 but it wasn’t enough to catch Esteghlal Khuzestan on goal difference.
The fans went crazy at the final whistle. In a football year that has already produced the biggest shock in English Premier League history with Leicester City being crowned as champions, Esteghlal Khuzestan have proven that they are the Leicester City of Iran.