Iran Central Asia

Naft Tehran wins Hazfi Cup

Naft Tehran football team defeated Tractor Sazi to win Iran’s Hazfi Cup Thursday night.

Ali Daei’s Naft Tehran narrowly edged past Tractor Sazi by one goal at Khorramshahr’s Naftogaz Arvandan Stadium.

Sajjad Shahbazzadeh scored the only goal of the match with a header just two minutes from full time.

Defender Mohammad Iranpourian of Tractor Sazi missed a penalty kick in the 27th minute.

Despite the victory, Daei stepped down as coach of Naft Tehran at the end of the match.

Naft Tehran will play Iran Professional League champion, Persepolis, in Iran’s Super Cup on 21 July.

Daei is the most decorated coach in Hazfi Cup with three titles. The former Iran striker had won Hazfi Cup twice with Persepolis.

The Hazfi Cup is the Iranian football knockout cup competition, run by the Iranian Football Federation.

Esteghlal is the most successful club with six titles.