Zob Ahan go three clear

AFC – ESFAHAN, Zob Ahan recorded a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Teraktor to go three points clear in the Iran Pro League standings, four days before their AFC Champions League quarter-final clash against defending champions Pohang Steelers.

Mansour Ebrahimzadeh’s charges will host the Korean outfit on September 15 in Foolad Shahr in the first leg of their continental encounter before traveling to Pohang for the return leg on September 22.

Seyed Mohammad Hosseini Farimani drew the first blood for Zob Ahan four minutes before the half hour mark and Mohammad Ghazi Najafabadi doubled the advantage two minutes after the hour mark.

Leonardo Faria pulled one back for Teraktor in the stoppage time but Zob ensured full points before going into the crucial match against Pohang.

Zob Ahan are on 19 points from eight rounds, three more than Persepolis who will meet Pas on Saturday.

Tehran’s popular outfit Esteghlal were held 1-1 by Mes when Ahmad Hassanzadeh’s 47th-minute opener for Mes was cancelled out by Pejman Montazeri four minutes before the end of the regulation time.

In other matches on Friday, Sanat Naft played a 2-2 draw with Foolad, Saipa beat Shahin 2-1 and Peykan lost 3-1 to Naft Tehran.