Pasargad nails first UFL win

BANKING on its new recruits, Pasargad finally barged into the win column by nipping Army Fritz and Macziol, 3-2, last night in the United Football League at the University of Makati field.

Iranian striker Shayan Jafaridastjerdi, one of eight players the team picked up during the transfer window, scored two goals in the first half before Milad Behgandom struck the game-winner late in the match as Pasargad ended a six-game victory drought.

Pasargad jacked up its tally to five points to move up to seventh, while Army stayed in fifth spot, despite losing for the fourth time in eight matches.

Meliton Pelayo put Army ahead in the first minute, slotting home from close range after latching onto a cross from Roel Gener, whose 70th-minute penalty also tied the match at 2-2.

But Behgandom beat two defenders before firing low past Ed Sacapano to settle the match in the 84th minute.

In a tight and physical encounter, both teams finished with 10 men and one Army player—John Cain—was sent to the hospital for treatment because of a deep cut caused by a collision with Miki Emaka inside the box.

Army’s Gener was sent off midway in the 77th minute, before Pasargad midfielder Hamed Hajmahdi, who assisted on Shayan’s two goals, followed him to the showers with his second yellow card because of simulation.

The trio of Hajmahdi, Behgandom and Jafaridastjerdi provided the attacking flair that was sorely missing for Pasargad early in the season.

Hajmahdi found Jafaridastjerdi in space and the striker finished the move expertly from 10 yards in the 25th minute.

The two players again combined for the second goal five minutes later.