The Saba Sentinel
Match17 Feb 2029
18 matches without a win for Saba
The run now stands at 18, and the questions being asked around Saba are no longer polite ones.
The terraces19 Feb 2029
Supporters organise against the Saba board
A bad atmosphere can be waited out. A group of people meeting afterwards to decide what to do about it cannot, and everybody in the building knows which stage this is.
Player ratings19 Feb 2029
Both of them Mohammad Askari's — 8.33
2 goals, and the second was the one that settled it. Marked 8.33, and he could have had a third with better luck at the near post.
Match17 Feb 2029
No clean sheets in sight for Saba
6 games now with at least two against. The back line has been rearranged, the goalkeeper has been backed publicly, and the goals keep going in anyway.
Squad19 Feb 2029
Ahmad Abdollahzadeh in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Saba this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Transfer targets19 Feb 2029
Saba rebuffed over Ali Kolahkaj
Not now, not at any price the club was prepared to say out loud. Esteghlal have kept their man, and Saba go back to a list with one name crossed off it.
The dugout19 Feb 2029
No hiding place for Hossein Kanaani
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Hossein Kanaani, and the manager let it.
The terraces19 Feb 2029
One of their own: Mohammad Askari
He is 23 and the ground already sings his name, which is a thing that happens to local boys and almost never to signings. Everything from here is measured against an affection he did nothing to earn except be from here.
Match17 Feb 2029
Saba share the spoils with Malavan
A 2‑2 draw with Malavan leaves the dressing room somewhere between relief and regret.
In brief
- Squad Ehsan Beiranvand signs a new deal
- The dugout Ahmad Abdollahzadeh knocks on the manager's door
- The dugout The manager’s verdict