As our semester began winding down, so did the Qods League, Iran’s national soccer league. While most people, especially in Tehran, paid more attention to each province’s domestic league, however, the Qods League was of more importance as the winner of it would advance to the Asian Club Championship. The competition was held in two groups of 11 with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals. Much like Tehran’s Club Championship, the Qods League was also dominated by Esteghlal and Persepolis with each of them topping their respective group. Darayi from Tehran and Malavan from Port Anzali completed the semifinal lineup.

In the first leg of one semifinal, Persepolis defeated its fellow Tehran team Darayi with a score of 2-0. Darayi had been a competitive team in the previous years, finishing runner-up in Tehran’s Club Championship the past two seasons, although now they were merely a shadow of their former self. Their presence in the semifinals was more of a statement on the level of the non-Tehran teams in its group. In the other semifinal first leg, Esteghlal tied Malavan 0-0 in Anzali.

While Esteghlal’s away tie seemed to be favorable for them, however, I figured it was actually to Malavan’s benefit. Knowing that Malavan was a team that would not sit back and that a loss would eliminate them, it would be quite reasonable for them to approach the second leg with an all-out offense game plan. Perhaps this would net them a goal or two that would secure a draw (if not a win) and would allow them to advance on away goals.

Whatever tactics Malavan had in mind went out the window within the first two minutes of the game when Sarkhab scored Esteghlal’s first goal. Team captain Bayani scored a second and before the end of the half Hashemi Moghaddam scored a third. In the second half Hashemi Moghaddam scored his second and his team’s fourth goal to lead Esteghlal to a 4-0 victory. The following day When Anoush saw us in school, he greeted us with the comment, “The Persepolis fans seem to be quiet today.”

By winning their first leg 2-0, Persepolis were all but assured a place in the Final. However, seemingly to replicate Esteghlal’s goal fest, they attacked Darayi from the get-go and before long built up a sizeable lead. They ended up with a 6-1 victory and would now face Esteghlal in the Championship Game. Although I knew Darayi was nowhere near Malavan’s caliber, the following day I couldn’t resist throwing Anoush’s comment right back at him and stating, “The Esteghlal fans seem to be quiet today.” To which he countered, “You have got to be out of your mind to think Darayi is anywhere near Malavan’s level.”

The day of the Final, in spite of the game being broadcast live on TV, Azadi Stadium was packed. Both teams were permitted to field their new signings which resulted in some changes in their lineups. Esteghlal fans were quick to begin cheering on their new goalkeeper, Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh, who had been the national team’s starting keeper for the past couple of years and had shined in the Asian Championship, particularly in the 3rd place game against China where he stopped two penalty kicks in the shootout. But just as the chants of “احمد عابدزاده” began resonating throughout the stadium, Mir Ahmadian, a new Persepolis signing, avoided an offside trap, beat Abedzadeh to the ball by a split second, and slid the ball under him for the first goal of the game. The “احمد عابدزاده” chants quickly died down and were replaced by Persepolis fans mocking the chant with their own version of it; “احمد عابد سوراخ”.

Persepolis held their lead until halftime. In the second half Esteghlal brought in Sarkhab and within two minutes, off of a cross from the right, Sarkhab headed in the equalizer. The game continued evenly back and forth until off an almost identical play and cross, Marfavi headed in Esteghlal’s go-ahead goal. It was now the Estaghlal fans to mock the Perspolis chants by responding “قلیچ سوراخ سوراخ”, referring to the Persepolis keeper. “The match ended 2-1 and Esteghlal were crowned champions. After the game both coaches claimed their opponent's goal(s) were offside.

It was after the game that I decided I no longer wanted to support Persepolis and instead opted for teams with potential outside of the big two. My new team would be Malavan although within a year or so I would add another Tehrani team to my list as well.