1/23/2008
By Kaveh Mahjoob

Perspolis and Sepahan Keep Winning Despite Turmoil

The midseason break for the Iranian football meant:

• Major snow storms cancelling team practices
• A national team still without a head coach and two cancelled friendly matches
• Major clubs with turmoil even unprecedented for Iran's football.

1/1/2008

Football fans, the best New Year wishes to you and your loved ones from the LastKick crew.

12/1/2007
By Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

A Two Horse Race in Iran

From week to week, Iran's Persian Gulf League, witnesses a similar storyline. Perspolis and Sepahan beat up on the opponents while all others struggle to position themselves somewhere along the ranking table away from the bottom two.

11/17/2007
By Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

Sweet Victory for Perspolis!

With a 95th minute amazing goal, capping ten minutes of persistent attacks, Perspolis continued her string of successes in Iran's Premier League. Khalili, a leading scorer for Saipa until last year, scored the golden goal, his eight goal of the season in the extra time so that Perspolis has another week without a loss.

11/11/2007
Afshin Afshar, lastkick.com

As you may know, on November 17 Scotland will face Italy in their final EURO 2008 qualifier. The Scots can secure a spot in next summer's festivities if they defeat the Italians in Glasgow's legendary Hampton Park.

This, arguably, is the most exciting match for the diehard Scottish fans, nicknamed The Tartan Army, in more than ten years.

11/3/2007
By Kaveh Mahjoob

Winning Ugly!

The contenders won once again while they were not at the top of their games. Perspolis defeated Mes in front of another large crowd of 70,000, while Sepahan won on the road with a penalty kick.

Perspolis and Speahan win games that most other teams find ways to draw or lose.

Fans, her are some highlights from FIFA Beach Football World Cup Rio de Janeiro just for you curtsy of fifa.com

10/29/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

More Troubles for the BLUEs!

Once again the week belonged to Sepahan as this team's victory over UAE's Alwahda meant for the first time in the Asian Championship League history, an Iranian team would participate in the finals. Bonacic's team continued to play smart and with the 3 -1 victory of the first leg needed a calculated match to qualify for the finals.

10/19/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob

A Two Team Race!

Both Perspolis and Sepahan won in the extra times to continue their quest for the league championship. Week 10 of Iran' s Persian Gulf League (PGL) witnessed some of the most exciting matches of the season and once the dust settled, other contenders lost while the top two teams won with impressive efforts.

10/14/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob,lastkick.com

The Tehran Derby!

Whenever a new season of Iranian football begins, all fans circle up the calendar with the two dates when the REDs and BLUEs play. Week 9 was the first of the two circled days on the calendar.

In front of 90,000 excited fans, Perspolis and Esteghlal met for the 63rd time.

9/28/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

Overshadowed by Sepahan!

In Iran, week seven of Persian Gulf League was overshadowed by two events:

First, Sepahan eliminated Kawasaki of Japan and advanced to the semi finals of the Asian Champions League. This is the first time an Iranian club has advanced as far since the new Asian-wide league was established several years ago.

9/23/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

The Emergence of Saba Battery!

Once again Perspolis was involved in an entertaining match but for the second week in a row, the REDS had to settle down for a draw. The game against the young Moghavemat Sepassi had 6 goals and the visitors played a fair game.

9/1/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

Iran's Premier League, Persian Gulf League (PGL), completed its third day with exciting matches and interesting results. Among the leaders of the table, Perspolis and Sepahan continued their string of victories. Many expected the winning streak of the two leaders hit breaks as they were both playing on the road against tough teams.

8/23/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

Week 2 of Iran's Premier League, named Persian Gulf League (PGL), brought exciting matches and surprising results. Last year's champ Saipa lost once more. This team lost five key players in the off season and was not active in signing quality players. As a result, Saipa is now at the bottom of the table and will be challenged to be a contender.

8/17/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

The seventh season of Iran's Premier League, named Persian Gulf League (PGL), started with a bang and a boom. For over 14 months, Iran's football has been suffering from international defeats at the world Cup, Asian Cup, Asian Games and different Asian age group championships. For over 14 months, Iran's Football Federation (IFF) has not had a permanent president.

8/2/2007
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

Hassan Nazari is seated on the left in this 1977 picture of Team Melli.

In the mid. and late 1970's, Hassan Nazari was Iran's right defensive back. Nazari began his playing days in his hometown club of Sepah of Abadaan. Nazari was the Capitan of Iran's youth team and at the age of 19 was invited to the national team.

7/23/2007
By Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

Kaveh Mahjoob discusses this summer's Copa-America final with former Brazilian coach of Sepahan Edson Tavarez

The 2007 version of Copa-America was exiting, displayed fantastic attacking football and at the end predictive. Brazil and Argentina have been the top two teams of South America continent for many decades and not surprisingly, these two teams made it to the finals.