Pashazadeh stars in Rapid win

AFC - IRAN defender Mehdi Pashazadeh (pictured in red) played a sensational match in the heart of the Rapid Vienna defence to help his side defeat fierce Austrian rivals Strum Graz 2-0, a result that kept Rapid in pole position after four games played in the 2003/2004 season.

Taking on a defensive stance away at the Strum Graz Stadium, Josef Hickersberger's tactics eventually paying off largely due to Pashazadeh's influence, Rapid pulling off their fourth successive league victory since the season started on July 16.

After a goalless first-half, Rapid shot themselves into the lead as Ivanschitz redeemed an earlier miss by scoring in the 57th minute.

Hofmann's goal barely 60 seconds later effectively killed the tie, win that will surely warm Hickersberges, the Austrian who used to coach in Bahrain and Qatar.

Rapid Vienna: Payer - Markus Hiden, Martin Hiden, Feldhofer, Adamski (79. Burgstaller) - Prisc, St. Kulovits, Hofmann (72. Martinez), Pashazadeh (70. Jazic), Ivanschitz - R. Wagner

Sturm Graz: Knezevic - Silvestre (71. Masudi) - Neukirchner, Strafner - Korsos (61. Säumel), Hasek, Filipovic, Dmitrovic - Salmutter (77. Brunmayr), Rabihou, Rojas