Persepolis Tehran is one of the most unique clubs in world football, and on Saturday proved it yet once again.
The Persian champions had their back against the wall for the AFC Champions League semi-final against Saudi Al-Nassr, but an heroic effort and a dramatic penalty shootout took them to their second Asian final in three years.
Persepolis’ name is a symbol for the resistance against the Islamic revolution in Iran. Back in the eighties, the club refused to adopt a ‘revolutionized’ name until 1987, and in 2012 returned to their original name and character. In that act, Persepolis became a true icon in Asian football. The photos from Tehran were mesmerizing, serving as proof for football’s impact on people, let alone during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Court is Entering the Field
But the beginning of the matchday left little optimism for the Iranian side. Three hours before kick-off, Persepolis’ leading figure in the tournament, Issa Al-Kasir, has been banned by the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee for six months with immediate effect, due to his goal celebration against Pakhtakor, who has been viewed as a discriminatory gesture.
This is the celebration for which he was disciplined:
Issa Al-Kasir, after his goal against Pakhtakor in the AFC Champions League quarterfinal (Photo: The AFC)
Quickly after the announcement of the punishment, a turmoil erupted among fans and media. Al-Kasir had a hearing that morning, where he claimed that his gesture was aimed at his beloved nephew and there is nothing racist about it, or pointing on people of Asian descent. It didn’t convince the committee and rumours of a ‘distant shadow rival’ stirring the case began circling.
It was a significant loss. Al-Kasir scored all of Persepolis’ goals in the knockout stage and was on blazing form before that match. Al-Kasir joined Persepolis only two weeks before the tournament started; He’s never played for the Iranian national team; As a matter of fact, it’s quite possible he never left Iran before the AFC Champions League bubble in Qatar.
Whether someone made sure the ban came at the right time for the Saudi side or not, it will serve as a lesson for Al-Kasir as to what is expected of a player in his status on the international level. Persepolis swallowed it and continued to the match despite the dispute that went on social media.
Fighting for their Teammate, and Asia
The match itself was an inspiring display by Persepolis. The Iranians fought hard, stood well, won possessions and created chances - without their best player.
But, it was Al-Nassr who went on the board first via a penalty by Abderrazak Hamdallah in the 36th minute. Iraqi Bashar Resan, one of Persepolis’ best players, committed a foul within his box, and the lethal Moroccan scorer of the Saudi Yellow club scored from the spot.
The answer arrived only six minutes later. Al-Kasir’s replacement, Mehdi Abdi Qara, a young player who scored four goals for Persepolis in the Persian Gulf Pro League last season, equalized on his AFC Champions League debut on the 42nd minute.
The draw held on until the penalty shootout, when Al-Nassr’s Brazilian defender Maicon missed the fourth kick, Ali Shojaei of Persepolis notched the final one and ran to celebrate, with a gesture similar to al-Kasir’s.
Al-Nassr, with all its mega-stars, like Pity Martinez who just joined from the MLS, lost their chance to qualify for their first AFC Champions League final in 25 years.
Persepolis will now wait for the resolution in the East Zone of the Asian Champions League to know their rival in the final. Still, one thing is sure: the second final in three years shows that even when Iranian clubs don’t have the money and resources that the Saudi or Qatari giants do, Iranian football talent still prevails in the western part of Asia.
In Tehran and Khuzestan, where Issa Al-Kasir’s family is from, the celebration exceeded and turned into a display of shootings and joy.
Photo via Mehr Agency.
