Match Report
The table read 12th (Esteghlal Khuzestan, 31 pts) against 10th (Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz, 37 pts), 6 points apart. Esteghlal Khuzestan had been over-performing their table position on recent form: 4th in the league over the last five rounds against 12th overall. Scoring rates set the scale: Esteghlal Khuzestan 0.83 scored and 1.4 conceded per game, Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz 0.8 and 1.07, with the league averaging 1.07.
8 games without a win framed Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz's arrival. The last-five ledger: Esteghlal Khuzestan 8/15, Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz 2/15.
Ghadir Stadium staged the fixture, a ground that holds 30,000. Half-time and full-time told different stories: it was 1-1 at the break, before 1 more goal closed it at 1-2.
Goal scorers
Esteghlal Khuzestan: Y. Delfi (7') · Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz: Reza Khaleghifar (10'), Reza Khaleghifar (89')
Key stats
Possession: Esteghlal Khuzestan 52% · Gostaresh Foolad Tabriz 48% · On target: 4-2 · Corners: 5-1