Persepolis Moves Top: IPL
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Persepolis football team moved to the top of the 2023-24 Iran Professional League (IPL), coming from three goals down to defeat Esteghlal Khuzestan 4-3 on Friday.
In the match, held in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, Alireza Kazemi gave the visiting team a lead just four minutes into the match.
With four minutes remaining before the first half, Iraqi midfielder Aso Rostam silenced the stadium with a powerful shot inside the area in the 41st minute. Kazemi scored his second goal in the first half’s added time.
Esteghlal Khuzestan was reduced to 10-man after its Brazilian defender Sávio Roberto was sent off in the 76th minute.
Vahid Amiri, who came off the bench in the second half, was brought down in the penalty area and Mohammad Hossein Kananizadegan converted his penalty in the 76th minute.
Danial Esmaeilifar scored Persepolis’ second goal in the 78th minute and Issa Alekasir levelled the score in the 86th minute.
Persepolis Uzbek winger Uston Uronov scored the winning goal in the injury time to seal a 4-3 win for the host.
In Ghaemshahr, Esteghlal and Nassaji shared the spoils in a goalless draw.
Persepolis moved up top with 62 points, one point above Esteghlal.
Esteghlal Khuzestan and Sanat Naft are 15th and 16th with 22 and 20 points, respectively.
Matchweek 26 results:
*Sanat Naft 2-2 Shams Azar
*Gol Gohar 2-3 Aluminum
*Paykan 0-0 Tractor
*Malavan 0-1 Mes
*Sepahan 2-0 Havadar
*Persepolis 4-3 Esteghlal Khuzestan
*Foolad 1-0 Zob Ahan
*Nassaji 0-0 Esteghlal