Sepahan, Saba tie goalless in IPL

PTV – ESFAHAN, Title defender Sepahan has played out a goalless draw against Saba in the last game of the 31st week of the Iranian Premier League (IPL).

Sepahan and Saba finished scoreless at Isfahan’s Fouladshahr Stadium on Monday to make the competition even more interesting in the remaining three weeks of the season.

Both sides got off to a good start but the league leader, coached by Amir Qalenoei, possessed the ball and the field for most of the first half and created many good scoring chances over Saba’s net.

In the second period, much of the game was played in the middle of the field and the host put pressure on Saba’s defense on several occasions but Saba’s solid defense thwarted Sepahan’s hopes of extending the lead on top of the table.

Following a prolonged extra time, the teams had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate after 100 minutes of shots and blocks.

“We could have gotten closer to the title… Our next three matches will be very important to us,” Qalenoei said after the match.

Sepahan is leading the 18-team league table with 62 points from 31 games and is followed by Tehran’s popular soccer squad Esteqlal, under Parviz Mazloumi, with 58 and Zob Ahan on 56 points.