Sepahan Fail To Close Gap on Persepolis

The AFC Champions League runners-up lie in second place, five points adrift of Persepolis with a game in hand.

The first half was a dour goalless affair, and despite Saipa dominating throughout, they failed to make a breakthrough. Just eight minutes into the second half, Karim Ansarifard struck powerful shot that gave his side the winning goal.

Sepahan’s coach Luka Bonacic threw on Emad Mohammed Reza in search of an equaliser. The Iraqi striker came close to scoring - only to be denied by Saipa custodian Sajjad Sheikhveisi with eight minutes remaining.

Sepahan recently made their inaugural appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup 2007 held in Japan. They are the first Iranian side to qualify for the tournament. After comfortably beating New Zealand side Waitakere United of New Zealand in the opening match, they failed to progress to the semi-final.

They were defeated by the second time in a month by J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds - previously losing to the Japanese outfit in the AFC Champions League final.