Tabriz – For the first time in nineteen years, Machine Sazi Tabriz are back in the top flight of Iranian football. The moment they were promoted from the Azadegan League at the end of the 2015-16 season, their fans couldn’t wait for the showdown with rivals Tractor Sazi.
The supporters of Machine Sazi did not have to wait long for the first of two meetings this season. Led by captain Andranik Teymourian, the Green Machine were unbeaten entering it’s match with the Red Wolves. However, things did not go according to plan for Machine Sazi head coach Rasoul Khatibi.
Tractor captain and fan favorite Mohammad Iranpourian put his side in front after converting a penalty kick right before the half hour mark. Spanish keeper Manu Fernandez guessed right but Iranpourian’s kick was too hard to stop.
Machine Sazi did not make things easier for themselves when defender Habib Gordani picked up a straight red card two minutes before the end of the first half.
Machine midfielder Bahram Ahmadi nearly found the equalizer in the 78th minute with a long range free kick but Tractor keeper Mohammadreza Akhbari was in good form and made a crucial save.
A nice give and go between Iranpourian and Iraqi midfielder Karrar Jasim in stoppage time led to a second goal for the Tractor captain as the fans wearing red have bragging rights for time being.
It was a good win for Tractor head coach Amir Ghalenoei while Mohammadreza Akhbari AKA The Inspector Gadget, earned his second clean sheet of the season.