Superleague Round 8: Naft Abadan defeat Zob Ahan in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 8 in the Superleague took place in Esfahan. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 5th ranked Zob Ahan (4-4) to seventh ranked Naft Abadan (4-3) 63-60 in the game for the sixth place. Naft Abadan have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place. Zob Ahan lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. Naft Abadan are looking forward to face league's leader Gorgan at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Zob Ahan will play against Raad (#11) in Mashhad and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Parsa (5-3) against sixth ranked Kerman (5-3) on Thursday night. Host Parsa was defeated by Kerman in a tough game in Mashhad 57-63. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Parsa. Kerman have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Parsa. Kerman will play against Sanaye (#9) in Bandar Abbass in the next round where they are favorite. Parsa will play on the road against Rafsanjan (#12) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Gorgan. First ranked host Gorgan (7-1) defeated second-ranked Kalleh (6-2) 111-103. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Gorgan have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 7-1 record. Newly promoted Kalleh keeps the second place with two games lost. Gorgan will meet Naft Abadan (#6) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Kalleh will play against Azarshahr (#10) and hope to secure a win.

In the last game of round 8 bottom-ranked Raad won against Rafsanjan on the opponent's court 78-68.

Parsa - Kerman 57-63

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Parsa (5-3) against sixth ranked Kerman (5-3) on Thursday night. Host Parsa was defeated by Kerman in a tough game in Mashhad 57-63. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Parsa. Kerman have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Parsa. Kerman will play against Sanaye (#9) in Bandar Abbass in the next round where they are favorite. Parsa will play on the road against Rafsanjan (#12) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Rafsanjan - Raad 68-78

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 11th ranked Rafsanjan (1-7) was defeated at home by twelfth ranked Raad (1-7) 78-68 on Thursday. Raad left bottom position moving up to eleventh place, which they share with defeated Rafsanjan. It was Rafsanjan's fourth loss in a row. Raad will meet at home higher ranked Zob Ahan (#7) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Rafsanjan will play against Parsa (#5) and hope to win that game.

Gorgan - Kalleh 111-103

The game between Top Four teams took place in Gorgan. First ranked host Gorgan (7-1) defeated second-ranked Kalleh (6-2) 111-103. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Gorgan have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 7-1 record. Newly promoted Kalleh keeps the second place with two games lost. Gorgan will meet Naft Abadan (#6) on the road in the next round where they are favorite. Kalleh will play against Azarshahr (#10) and hope to secure a win.

Zob Ahan - Naft Abadan 60-63

The most exciting game of round 8 in the Superleague took place in Esfahan. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of 5th ranked Zob Ahan (4-4) to seventh ranked Naft Abadan (4-3) 63-60 in the game for the sixth place. Naft Abadan have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place. Zob Ahan lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the seventh position with four games lost. Naft Abadan are looking forward to face league's leader Gorgan at home in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Zob Ahan will play against Raad (#11) in Mashhad and is hoping to win this game.