TEHRAN, Iran – As Esteghlal and Persepolis shine their boots for Friday’s Tehran derby, e be like say dem don turn new leaf wey nobody expect. Just one month ago, optimism dey nowhere to be found, but now, e don be like say form, confidence, and momentum don rebounce just in time for the big day.
Last week, the two clubs don flex their muscles inside the Persian Gulf Pro League (PGPL). Persepolis manage hustle Shams Azar for Qazvin, winning by 2–1 in a serious contest. Esteghlal too no wan carry last, dem manage escape Foolad with slim 1–0 victory. Na serious matter as both sides dey prepare for dat high-voltage derby 106 wey go happen for IRALCO Stadium for Arak.
Persepolis don find new vibe after dem change coach. Under Vahid Hashemian, na only wahala dem been sabi – five draws, one loss, and just one small win for their first seven matches. Na so e be say fans dey fear sey dem go use miracle to hold the derby, even to win Zob Ahan no save Hashemian as dem part ways with am after week eight. But na so Brazilian coach Osmar Loss Vieira come rescue dem, like say e carry juju come back where e fit make dem dey groove again.
Now e be like say Persepolis don regain dem drive and intensity. After dem draw and two wins, dem dey sit down for second place with 18 points, just one point behind Esteghlal. Suddenly, dem fans dey count down to the derby with excitement instead of dread (ikk, no be wah!).
As for Esteghlal, their comeback no be small drama too. Ricardo Sá Pinto, na him start well with win over Tractor, but wahala come dey follow am when four draws and one loss put dem for danger zone. Rumours say dem fit sack am don dey fly around until dem win against Mes Rafsanjan in Week 7. That victory drop fire inside dem belly, giving dem four-match winning streak wey don land dem back on top with 19 points.
Even though dem still dey show small inconsistency, Esteghlal don rediscover wetin dem really sabi – winning. Foreign stars like Munir El Haddadi and Yaser Asani don step up to deliver the magic. With confidence don return and momentum dey on their side, Esteghlal and Persepolis dey enter Friday’s match ready to reminded fans say dem no be wounded giants, but two serious contenders wey wan take shine for one of the fiercest rivalries for football.
E go sweet to see who go carry the day for IRALCO, abi wetin you think? All eyes go dey on dem as dem prepare for the battle!
TEHRAN, Iran – Na Vahid Kazemi go be dis match referee for dis clash, with Ali Ahmadi and Bahman Abdollahi as him assistants, and Hossein Zamani as fourth official. Esteghlal dey lead the PGPL table well, while Persepolis dey hang dey for second position. From the 105 meetings wey don happen, Persepolis don win 29 times, Esteghlal don collect 26 wins, and dem don draw 50 times (chei, no be small!).
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