Winfried Schaefer’s team played Paykan in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium without its two iconic midfielders Omid Ebrahimi and Server Djeparov who have joined Qatar’s Al Ahli and Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu respectively.
In another IPL match, Sepahan was held to a 0-0 draw by Sanat Naft in Isfahan’s Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium.
Newly-promoted Naft Masjed Soleyman and Tractor Sazi also played out a goalless draw and Gostaresh Foolad and Esteghlal Khuzestan drew 1-1.
On Thursday, titleholder Persepolis defeated Padideh 1-0, Saipa beat Sepidrood 3-0, Nassaji Mazandaran lost to Zob Ahan 1-0 and Foolad beat Pars Jonoubi 2-1.