Esteghlal wins, Naft moves top

Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Naft defeated Persepolis and moved two points clear at the top of the Iran Professional League (IPL) table and Esteghlal bounced back from damaging defeats to return to winning ways on Monday.

Naft defeated Persepolis 2-1 at the Takhti Stadium in Tehran.

Naft striker Gholamreza Rezaei scored in the 43rd minutes. The team had also chances to score more goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Afterward, Persepolis was dominant and equalized the match in the 78th minute.

Substitute Mohammad Abbaszadeh fired the ball into the roof of the net from six yards.

In the added time, Persepolis Costa Rican defender Michael Umana and Brazilian goalie Nilson made mistakes and unmarked Amir Arsalan Motahari opened the goal.

Naft moved two points clear at the top of the IPL table with one game more.

Esteghlal also defeated Rah Ahan, thanks to a goal by Sajjad Shahbazzadeh in the 62nd minute.

The team had lost to Persepolis in Tehran derby last week and was knocked out of the Iran’s Hazfi Cup by Zob Ahan on Thursday.

The IPL Table Standings has Naft sitting first and behind the team are Tractor Sazi, Esteghlal, Sepahan and Foolad.