According to Varzesh 3, this afternoon Persepolis will host Foolad in Shahr-e Qods, and they want to continue their leading streak by winning this match. Persepolis, which has managed to earn 20 points and score 18 goals by the end of the ninth week, faces a difficult and ready opponent, as Foolad, with 16 points and in fifth place, intends to leave the capital for home with points in hand.

However, the encounter between Mehdi Tartar and Hamid Motahari will be one of the interesting and special highlights for football fans. Both of this coach's last two head-to-head meetings have ended with a identical 3-1 result in favor of Hamid Motahari's team. During the 29th week of the 23rd League, Hamid Motahari was temporarily in charge of Tractor, and they hosted Malavan at home in that game. Tractor triumphed over Mehdi Tartar's team with a 3-1 scoreline at that juncture, which ultimately led to Hamid Motahari's departure from the club at the end of the season.

However, a few months ago in February 2026, Foolad and Gol Gohar also faced each other with these two coaches present. Although Mehdi Tartar's team took an early lead in Ahvaz with an opening-minutes goal, Foolad scored twice in the first half and eventually achieved a 3-1 victory against their Sirjan opponent.

Of course, it should not be forgotten that the initial two meetings between these coaches also included one win and one draw for Mehdi Tartar on the Zob Ahan bench against Nassaji, managed by Hamid Motahari. But the experienced Persepolis coach, who has achieved brilliant results in the early weeks of his tenure at this club, is now looking for a victory against an old rival. Although the last two encounters ended in Hamid Motahari's favor, this ready and energetic Persepolis has no other goal than winning this afternoon's game.

Source: Varzesh 3