According to "Varzesh3", Persepolis lost for the second time in their tenth match of the season. Mehdi Tartar's men, who had been on a good run since the defeat against Tractor, this time lost at Shahr-e Qods Stadium to an 87th-minute goal by Vahid Amiri against Foolad — so that their second defeat was also recorded by a 1–0 scoreline.
Persepolis's first defeat went back to week 3 and the trip to Tabriz. The Reds lost to Tractor on August 24 at Yadegar-e Emam Stadium, to a 90th-minute goal by Tomislav Štrkalj. Now, after about two months, another late goal has left Persepolis empty-handed, so that both of this team's defeats have been recorded in matches that were goalless until the final minutes.
Between these two defeats, Persepolis went six consecutive matches unbeaten. Wins over Malavan, Zob Ahan, Sanat Naft and Mes Shahr-e Babak, along with draws against Esteghlal and Kheybar, brought Tartar's team 14 points. In these six matches the Reds scored 12 goals and conceded only two, to put the Tabriz defeat behind them and reach the top of the table.
The defeat against Foolad also had one important difference from the first loss. This time Persepolis were beaten as hosts and suffered their first home defeat of the season. Tartar's team had finished all four of their previous home matches — against Esteghlal Khuzestan, Malavan, Zob Ahan and Sanat Naft — with victory.
Another common feature of the two defeats was the failure of Persepolis's attack. The team that, with 18 goals scored, still has the league's best scoring record, failed to open the opponent's goal both against Tractor and against Foolad. Against Foolad, Hamed Lak's reaction to Alipour's shot and Sergiyev's wastefulness in a one-on-one situation prevented Persepolis from taking the lead over their opponents before conceding the goal.
Persepolis now have 20 points from ten matches, with six wins, two draws and two defeats, and remain top of the table thanks to a better goal difference. The Reds' next match, against Nassaji on October 31, will be Tartar's first opportunity to make up for this defeat. After their first loss, Persepolis responded with a 3–0 win over Malavan, and now they must look to return to winning ways in Qaemshahr.
Source: Varzesh3
