Match Report
On the table this was a mismatch: Naft Tehran (9th, 36 pts) held a 20-point advantage over Machine Sazi Tabriz (16th, 16 pts). Naft Tehran ranked just 15th in the league on five-round form despite their 9th table position. Per game in the league, Machine Sazi Tabriz were scoring 0.6 and conceding 1.5, Naft Tehran 1.03 and 1.13, against a competition average of 1.05 goals per team per game.
Defeat had not touched Naft Tehran in 5 games. From the last five rounds, Machine Sazi Tabriz held 5 points of 15 and Naft Tehran 13.
The venue was Bagh Shomal Stadium in Tabriz, with room for 25,000 spectators. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Naft Tehran led 1-0 at the break, before 1 more goal closed it at 0-2.