Arash Borhani rescues Esteghlal against Saba

TEHRAN TIMES – QOM, Iran Professional League (IPL) leader Esteghlal drew with Saba thanks to Arash Borhani’s equalizer on Monday.

Saba and Esteghlal tied 1-1 in Qom’s Yadegar Emam Stadium.

Iman Razzaghi Rad gave Saba the lead in the 29th minute. Saba dominated possession in the first half and could have extended the lead but its strikers didn’t take advantage of their chances.

Esteghlal was the better team in the second half but failed to score.

In the injury time, referee Yadollah Jahanbazi showed the penalty spot. Saba players heavily criticized the decision and their captain Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh was sent after receiving his second yellow card.

Arash Borhani scored the penalty in the dying moments of the match.

Elsewhere, Traktorsazi defeated Naft 2-1 in a home game. Mehdi Seyed Salehi and Javad Kazemian were on target for Traktorsazi and Alireza Ezzati pulled a goal back.

Sepahan also beat struggling Gahar 4-1 in Doroud. Xhevahir Sukaj opened the scoring in the 9th minute. Mohammad Reza Khalatbari extended the visiting team’s lead just before the break. Farshid Talebi scored Sepahan’s third goal four minutes into the second half and Ahmad Jamshidian scored in the 70th minute with a long-range shot.

Ammar Nik-kar scored a consolation goal for Gahar in the injury time.

Esteghlal remains at the top of the table with 56 points, followed by Traktorsazi and Sepahan with 55 and 53 points respectively.