Sepahan beats Teraktor to remain atop

PTV – ESFAHAN, Sepahan has defeated Teraktorsazi 3-1 in the 30th week of Iran’s Premier League (IPL) to extend its lead on top of the table.

The IPL pacesetter gained the whole three points of the away match at Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium in the city of Tabriz on Friday to lock up its place on top of the standings with 61 points.

Senegalese striker Ibrahima Toure scored the opener for Sepahan, coached by Amir Ghalenoei, from close range in the 26th minute of the match.

Three minutes into the second half, Teraktorsazi leveled the game, thanks to an own goal by midfielder Ehsan Hajsafi, but Sepahan jumped ahead again in the 70th minute when defender Mohsen Bengar fired home a neat header.

Ten minutes to the final whistle, Toure doubled his tally to clinch the victory for the visitors.

Also on Friday, Persepolis edge passed rock-bottom Steel Azin 2-1 at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Mojtaba Zare’ put the Reds ahead with a strong volley 20 minutes into the match, but Siavash Akbarpour equalized for Steel Azin only two minutes later. German striker Shpejtim Arifi scored the late winner in the dying minutes of the match for Ali Daei’s side.

In the other matches of the day, Malavan defeated Pas 3-0 to leapfrog Foulad into sixth place, while Foulad went down 2-0 at Shahin, Naft Abadan beat Peykan 2-1, Saba drew 1-1 with Mes, and Saipa tied 0-0 against Naft Tehran.

Earlier on Thursday, Tehran’s popular soccer team Esteghlal, under Parviz Mazloumi, saw off struggler Rah Ahan 1-0, and Zob Ahan overcame Shahrdari 2-1.

With only four games remaining in the season, Sepahan is on top with a five-point gap with the second-placed Zob Ahan, which has 56 points. Esteghlal sits third on 55 points. Teraktorsazi is now fourth with 50 points.