Esteghlal Out of IPL Title Race

Tasnim – TEHRAN, Esteghlal of Tehran faced an uphill task to win the Iranian Professional League (IPL) after being held by Zob Ahan on Friday evening.

Esteghlal drew 1-1 with Zob Ahan in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Omid Ebrahimi put Esteghlal ahead in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot.

Danial Esmaeilifar equalized the match in the 75th minute with a header.

“I think it was a beautiful game and I am satisfied with the way my players performed, but I’d rather lose or win than play for draw,” Esteghlal coach Amir Ghalenoei said in the post-match news conference.

With five weeks remaining, Esteghlal is third in the Iran Professional League table with 42 points, six points behind leader Naft.