IPL Holder Foolad Loses, Esteghlal Wins
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran Professional League (IPL)’s title-holder Foolad of Khuzestan lost to Tractor Sazi on Thursday, while Tehran's popular team, Esteghlal, defeated Rah Ahan in first week of the IPL.
Tractor Sazi beat Foolad 2-1 in Iran's northwestern city of Tabriz.
Saman Nariman Jahan gave Tractor Sazi the lead in the 31st minute.
Croatian defender Leonard Mesaric was on target for the visiting team in the 74th minute but with eight minutes remaining Brazilian striker Edinho scored the winner for Tractor Sazi.
In Tehran’s Takhti Stadium, Esteghlal came back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat Rah Ahan 2-1.
Rah Ahan striker Ramin Rezaeian found the back of the net just three minutes into the match.
Iraqi midfielder Karrar Jassim equalized the match in the 55th minute and Mohammad Ghazi scored with a header in the 74th minute.
Elsewhere, Saba beat Zo Ahan 2-1. Saba striker Ayyub Kalantari scored in the 63rd minute from the penalty spot but Morteza Tabrizi leveled the match in the 72nd minute.
Cameroonian midfielder Ambuno Achille scored the winner for Saba in the 86th minute.
On Friday, Persepolis of Tehran will host Naft, Esteghlal Khuzestan play Gostaresh, newly-promoted Padideh face Malavan, Sepahan host Paykan and Saipa meet Naft Masjed Soleyman.
