Iran Professional League: Esteghlal Wins, Sepahan Held
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Esteghlal football team kept itself within one point of Iran Professional League (IPL) leader Naft with a 1-0 win over Saipa on Wednesday.
The Iranian popular team beat Saipa in its away game thanks to a goal from Sajjad Shahbazzadeh in the 45th minute.
Elsewhere, IPL leader Naft tied with Sepahan in Isfahan.
Hadi Aghili gave Sepahan the lead in the 11th minute from the penalty spot and Abbas Buozar leveled the match in the 78th minute.
Naft was reduced to 10-man in the 63rd minute after Mohammad Amin Hajmohammadi received his second yellow card.
Paykan was also held to a 1-1 draw at home with Gostaresh Foolad. Gostaresh’s Brazilian midfielder Mango Batista da Silva scored for the visiting team in the 32nd minute and Saeid Daghighi equalized the match before the halftime.
Naft remained one point clear at the top of IPL, followed by Esteghlal, Sepahan and Foolad.