Persepolis beats Foulad 3-1

PTV – TEHRAN, Popular football club Persepolis has defeated Foulad Khuzestan in the 24th round of Iran’s Premier League (IPL) to stand 5th in the 18-team league table.

Persepolis trounced Foulad 3-1 on Friday at Tehran’s Azadi stadium to keep the Reds’ hope alive for the championship.

After a scoreless first half with much of the game played in the middle of the field, Persepolis boss Ali Daei poured in forwards to press for the whole three points of the home game.

In the 60th minute of the match, Gholamreza Rezaei’s corner cross was headed home from close range by Persepolis captain Sepehr Heidari to open the scoring.

Ten minutes before the final whistle, Hadi Norouzi extended the Red’s lead to two, again with a header thanks to a cross by Reazaei.

In the dying minutes of the match, Reza Ma’qouli pulled one back for Foulad, but Hossein Badamaki tapped in the ball to clinch the victory for the Tehran-based club.

In other matches of the day, Rah Ahan tied with Shahin 1-1, Peykan edged past Shahrdari 1-nil, Saipa defeated Pas 2-1, Sanat Naft Abadan beat Malavan 2-1, Teraktor Sazi blanked Steel Azin with three goals, and the match between Mes Kerman and Naft Tehran ended scoreless.

Earlier on Thursday, titleholder Sepahan finished 1-1 against Esteqlal at Isfahan’s Fouladshahr stadium.

In another important clash of the round on Thursday, Zob Ahan came from behind to defeat Saba 2-1.

Zob Ahan stays atop the table with 48 points, four points clear of second placed Esteqlal, while Sepahan is back in third with 43 points and one game in hand.