Naft Stays Top of Iran Professional League
Tasnim – TEHRAN, Naft Tehran stayed top of the Iran Professional League (IPL) after beating Esteghlal 1-0 here on Thursday.
Brazilian striker Leonardo Padovani found the back of the net with a header in the 80th minute.
Elsewhere, 10-man Naft Masjed Soleyman came from Behind to draw 2-2 with Persepolis.
Omid Alishah scored for the visiting team in the 23rd minute and Ali Alipour made it 2-0 for Persepolis.
Keyvan Amraei pulled a goal back in the 43rd minute.
Ruslan Melziddinov received a straight red card in the 57th minute after reckless challenge on Persepolis keeper Sosha Makani.
Naft put Persepolis under pressure in the last minutes and Reza Karmolachaab finally equalized the match in the injury time.
In Tehran, Tractor Sazi beat Rah Ahan 3-0 in its away game. Farid Karimi scored in the 43rd minute. Mehdi Kiani and Luciano Edinho also scored in the 85th and 87th minutes respectively.
In Tabriz, title holder Foolad lost to Gostaresh 3-1. Jaber Ansari scored twice in the 9th and 65th minutes and Magno Batista also found the back of the net from the penalty spot in the 37th minute.
Mohammad Ghazi scored a consolation goal in the 72nd minute.