 In the second leg the match finished 0-0 meaning Esteghlal advanced on the away goals rule.In 1996 Pious finally won the elusive Azadegan League, Pious only managed to score 4 times in 15 games but the club still went on to win their first ever Azadegan League.The 1996–97 season was Pious' last season and he only managed to play 6 games and scored 5 times as he battle through injury.