Superleague Round 5 (Regular Season): Naft Abadan defeat Gorgan in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 5 in the Superleague took place in Gorgan. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 3rd placed Gorgan (3-2) to sixth ranked Naft Abadan (3-2) 82-80 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Gorgan. Naft Abadan moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Gorgan. Naft Abadan is looking forward to face Ishafan (#6) in the next round. Gorgan will play against Shahrod and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Shahrod (3-2) against tenth ranked Foolad (2-3) on Sunday night. Visiting Shahrod was crushed by Foolad in Bandar Abbass 89-64. Foolad moved-up to seventh place. Newly promoted Shahrod dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Foolad will play against Zob Ahan (#9) in Esfahan in the next round. Shahrod will play at home against Gorgan (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Raad has registered their first victory this season after four consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Alborz (1-3) 70-69 on Sunday. Raad (1-4) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place. Newly promoted Alborz dropped to the tenth position with three games lost. Raad will meet higher ranked Mahshahr (#8) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Alborz will play against the league's leader Tabiat and will have a slim chance for a victory.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 5: winless Ayandeh Sazan was destroyed by Ishafan on the opponent's court 95-70. Kalleh outscored Mahshahr in a home game 96-74. Zob Ahan lost to undefeated Tabiat on the road 56-84.



Raad - Alborz 70-69

Raad has registered their first victory this season after four consecutive losses. They used home court advantage to defeat Alborz (1-3) 70-69 on Sunday. Raad (1-4) left bottom position moving up to eleventh place. Newly promoted Alborz dropped to the tenth position with three games lost. Raad will meet higher ranked Mahshahr (#8) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Alborz will play against the league's leader Tabiat and will have a slim chance for a victory.

Ishafan - Ayandeh Sazan 95-70

Very expected game when bottom-ranked Ayandeh Sazan (0-4) was crushed on the road by fifth ranked Ishafan (3-2) 95-70 on Sunday. Ishafan moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Ayandeh Sazan at the other side, also newcomer in the league, still closes the standings with four games lost. Ishafan will meet Naft Abadan (#4) on the road in the next round. Ayandeh Sazan will play against the league's second-placed Kalleh (#2) and hopes to get finally their first victory.

Kalleh - Mahshahr 96-74

Very predictable result in Amol where second ranked Kalleh (4-1) smashed 8th ranked Mahshahr (1-2) 96-74 on Monday. Kalleh have a solid series of three victories in a row. Newly promoted Kalleh maintains second place with 4-1 record behind leader Tabiat. Mahshahr at the other side, also newcomer in the league, keeps the eighth position with two games lost. They share it with Zob Ahan. Kalleh will meet bottom-ranked Ayandeh Sazan (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mahshahr will play against Raad (#11) and hope to win that game.

Foolad - Shahrod 89-64

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Shahrod (3-2) against tenth ranked Foolad (2-3) on Sunday night. Visiting Shahrod was crushed by Foolad in Bandar Abbass 89-64. Foolad moved-up to seventh place. Newly promoted Shahrod dropped to the third position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Foolad will play against Zob Ahan (#9) in Esfahan in the next round. Shahrod will play at home against Gorgan (#3) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Gorgan - Naft Abadan 80-82

The most exciting game of round 5 in the Superleague took place in Gorgan. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 3rd placed Gorgan (3-2) to sixth ranked Naft Abadan (3-2) 82-80 in the game for the third place. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Gorgan. Naft Abadan moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Gorgan. Naft Abadan is looking forward to face Ishafan (#6) in the next round. Gorgan will play against Shahrod and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Tabiat - Zob Ahan 84-56

Not a big story in a game when 8th ranked Zob Ahan (1-2) was rolled over on the road by leader Tabiat (5-0) 84-56 on Sunday. Tabiat have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 5-0 record. Zob Ahan at the other side keeps the eighth position with two games lost. They share it with Mahshahr. Tabiat will meet Alborz (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zob Ahan will play against Foolad and it may be a tough game between close rivals.