Tractor Sazi defeated Zob Ahan 3-2 in a dramatic encounter in Isfahan on Saturday to reach the Iran’s Hazfi Cup final.

Ehsan Pahlevan put Zob Ahan in front in the 44th minute with a long range shot. Zob Ahan was reduced to 10 men when Morteza Tabrizi was shown a second yellow card in the 70th minute.

Farzad Hatami scored a late equalizer in the 89th minute with a wonderful header inside the box to bring Tractor Sazi back into the game.

The game finished 1-1 in the regular time but Mohammad Ebrahimi made it 2-1 two minutes into the first extra time.

Tractor Sazi was also reduced to 10 men when Iraqi midfielder Karrar Jassim received his second yellow card in the 111th minute for an offensive conduct.

The game seemed to be finished with the result of 2-1 for Tractor Sazi when the referee awarded a penalty to the host.  Zob Ahan Honduran striker Jerry Bengston converted the penalty to make it 2-2 in the dying seconds.

But it was not the end as former Persepolis midfielder Mohammad Nouri scored an outstanding goal with a rocket shot to give Tractor Sazi a very late winner.

In the other semi-final match Naft Tehran edged past another Isfahani team, Sepahan to reach the final. 

Tractor Sazi will take on Naft Tehran in the Hazfi Cup final on May 11, 2017 in Khorramshahr Stadium.

SG