Esteghlal beats Sepahan in Esfahan after 11 years [VIDEO]

TEHRAN TIMES – ESFAHAN, Iran Professional League (IPL) leader Esteghlal defeated Sepahan in a controversial game on Sunday.

Esteghlal edged titleholder Sepahan 1-0 in Esfahan’s Fooladshahr Stadium. It’s Esteghlal’s first victory after 11 years in Isfahan, the Sepahan home.

Khosro Heydari scored from a narrow angle in the 15th minute.

Sepahan was dominant team in the first half and created some chances but its strikers could not take advantage of them.

In the second half, Esteghlal could have scored more goals but its strikers missed their chances.

In the dying moments of the match Esteghlal midfielder Javad Nekounam was shown a red card by referee Saeid Mozaffarizadeh after he kicked the Sepahan player.

In the added time, Sepahan equalized the match but the goal was ruled out due to a foul on Esteghlal keeper Mehdi Rahmati.

Elsewhere, Foolad defeated Traktor Sazi 3-2, Damash beat Naft 2-0 and Saipa defeated Saba 2-0.

Esteghlal remains at the top of the IPL table with 28 points, followed by Malavan and Traktor Sazi with 25 and 24 points respectively.