Golnoor v Esteghlal Tehran: chasing a first win of the season in Isfahan

Thursday 14 Aban, 16:15, Mokhaberat Hall in Isfahan. Golnoor host Esteghlal Tehran in week three of Iran's men's Premier League, a game that means the same thing to both sides: a first win of the season.

Golnoor: a young squad chasing that first win

Golnoor began the new season with a young roster built to grow and develop basketball talent. Aren Davoudi's players have fought for results in the opening two weeks but are still without a win, and they go into the third game of the season looking to make up for the results behind them.

Isfahan's representative lost the opener at home, 74-71 to Naft-o-Gaz Zagros Jonoub Jahrom, in a game that stayed close to the end but never turned home advantage into a winning start. In week two Golnoor lost 81-75 away at Pas Kurdistan in Sanandaj — two defeats in a row.

Esteghlal Tehran: title contenders with a hard start

Esteghlal have not had an easy opening either. They lost 79-73 to Naft Abadan in week one and went down 80-77 to Kaleh Mazandaran in week two. Esteghlal are among the favourites for the title and have big national-team names in their squad, but they arrive in Isfahan with two defeats behind them.

Home court, a crowd and an opportunity

Golnoor have home advantage and will lean on the coaching staff's plans, their young and hungry players and the support of the fans to change the run of results. A full Mokhaberat Hall can be extra motivation for the Caracals on the way to their first win of the season.

The game is being broadcast live on Isfahan's provincial channel. Golnoor invite basketball fans to come to Mokhaberat Hall on Thursday 14 Aban and stand with the city's team in a match that matters.

Photo report from training

The club's official media cameras followed Golnoor's session before the game. Twenty frames from the Caracals' training are in the gallery below.