TEHRAN, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Naft Tehran defeated Tractor Sazi of Tabriz to win Iran's Knockout Cup, locally known as the Hazfi Cup, Tasnim news agency reported on Friday.
Naft Tehran, coached by Ali Daei, edged past Tractor Sazi 1-0 in Khorramshahr Naftogaz Arvandan Stadium on Thursday night and berthed a place at the 2018 AFC Champions League.
Sajjad Shahbazzadeh scored the only goal of the match with a header in the 88th minute.
Mohammad Iranpourian, Tractor Sazi defender, missed a penalty kick in the 27th minute.
Naft Tehran will play Persepolis, Iran Super League champion, in Iran's Super Cup on July 21.
Daei, who stepped down as the head coach of Naft Tehran at the end of the match, is the most decorated coach in Hazfi Cup with three titles. The former Iranian international striker had won Hazfi Cup twice with Persepolis.
