Thursday, May, 20

Tehran, May 20, IRNA - Nassaji of the northern city Qaemshahr Wednesday announced its withdrawal from the League Cup. The club officials said relegation from first division and players` low spirits are the main reasons for the decision. Nassaji had been scheduled to play the Isfahan-based Zob Ahan on May 28.

On Tuesday, the northerners lost to Malavan in front of home fans. Malavan joined the Iran Pro League teams Tuesday as it rubbed salt into Nassaji`s wound with a 3-1 victory in Qaemshahr, Mazandaran province.

Nassaji had a good start as Hassan Gardeshi celebrated his goal in the first minute but Ahmad Jamshidian hit his hat-trick in the 44th, 65th, and 86th minutes to help the Anzali side advance to the IPL in the 30th week of first-division competitions on 55 points. Saba Battery had already promoted to Pro League.

Shahid Qandi and San`at Naft have chances to find themselves in Pro League. Qandi lost 3-2 to Rah-Ahan in Ekbatan stadium in Tehran in the 30th week, standing third. Naft beat the visitor HOMA 2-1 in Abadan Tuesday. The playoffs between the two first-division sides, Qandi and Naft, and bottom-placed teams of Pro League, SAIPA and Shamoushak, are deciding for promotion of two other teams.

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