independence Rounding off week four of the Elite League with an important win, three points against the Blues north Qatar won, it made them 9 points and kept them at the top of the table. The team’s performance in scoring may not have been perfect, but at this stage of the season, points are more important than anything else, and Esteghlal got exactly what they needed to keep going.
The important point is that compared to the past, Esteghlal had collected only eight points in a total of eight group round games in its first period in the elite league and went to the next stage with the same points. Now, this team has crossed that ceiling halfway and has excellent conditions with 9 points from four games.
If we review the pattern of promotion in previous seasons. Last season, in the 12-team table of the West region, Al-Sad and Al-Ryan of Qatar were allowed to advance to the elimination stage with eight points. A season ago, Pakhtakor climbed with seven points and Esteghlal itself stood in sixth place with two wins and three draws and eight points.
In this way, Esteghlal already has more points than the promotion points in the previous two periods. If in the remaining four games, the distribution of points between the direct rivals continues with the same pattern as last years, the Blues’ promotion to the next stage seems to be largely certain, although nothing can be considered over in Asia until the final whistle.
However, the goal of independence is not just climbing. With the form they have taken, the blue-clad team are thinking about a better ranking and a smoother path in the elimination. Two fights with Uzbek teams, a sensitive confrontation with Al-Ain and a difficult test against Al-Wasl and Tarimi are waiting for them, and getting at least six points from these four games can lead Esteghlal to the next round with a high series and a more suitable draw.
