Persepolis Falls Short against Saipa: IPL


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Persepolis football team played out a goalless draw against Saipa in the opening week of the Iran Professional League (IPL) on Friday.

In the match, held in Tehran’s Dastgerdi Stadium behind closed doors, the defending champion put its rival under pressure but failed to open the goal.

Persepolis midfielder Kamal Kamyabinia was sent off in the 79th minute after receiving his second yellow card.

In Tabriz, Tractor drew 0-0 with Naft Msjed Soleyman and Foolad and Zob Ahan shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw in Isfahan. Newly-promoted Aluminum Arak also suffered a 3-0 home defeat.

On Saturday, Esteghlal will entertain Mes Rafsanjan who won a promotion to the IPL for the new season.

Gol Gohar will host Sepahan in Sirjan and Shahr Khodro play Machine Sazi in Mashhad.