Abadan – The Boys from Abadan were back home and full of confidence after their huge come-from-behind victory against Esteghlal Tehran last week. The fans in attendance at Takhti Stadium were looking to cheer their team to a win against visitors Sepahan Isfahan.
The first half was scoreless and keeper Hassan Houri was called into action when he parried a long range shot from midfielder Taleb Reykani with two minutes remaining in the half.
Four minutes after the restart, Houri was tested again when he stopped a bouncing free kick and also saved a follow up shot from Malian defender Moussa Coulibaly.
In the 54th minute, Milad Jahani received a short throw-in near the left side of the Sepahan penalty area and centered the ball where forward Mohammad Shadkam finished it off with a fantastic header to give Sanat Naft a 1-0 lead.
In the third minute of stoppage time, a long ball from inside the Sepahan half of the field found its way to Mehrdad Mohammadi and then flicked to forward Reza Mirzaei. Keeper Houri came to the rescue and blocked Mirzaei’s shot at point blank range to hold onto the precious one goal lead.
One minute later, Mahmoud Darizadeh almost added a second goal for Sanat but he was denied by Sepahan’s Brazilian keeper Lee Oliveira.
The final whistle blew after six minutes of stoppage time and the Sanat Naft supporters erupted in joy to celebrate their second consecutive victory.
Sanat Naft Abadan have had their fair share of heroes so far after four matches played but keeper Hassan Houri definitely deserves the most recognition after three clean sheets and an assist in the victory over Esteghlal Tehran on 5 August.
The Boys from Abadan will face Naft Tehran in the nation’s capital on 9 September.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05QqWxM2zhQ