IPL: Esteghlal Stuns Sepahan, Tractor Sazi Suffers Heavy Loss
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Esteghlal football team earned a late win over Sepahan in the Iran Professional League (IPL), while Tractor Sazi suffered a 3-1 defeat to Sepidrood on Friday.
Ayanda Patosi scored the last-gasp winner just before the final whistle in Isfahan’s Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium after the referee ruled out Esteghlal midfielder Ali Karimi’s goal in the 86th minute for making foul.
In Rasht, Tractor Sazi suffered a 3-1 loss against Sepidrood, which could cost them the IPL title.
Sepidrood forward Mehrdad Bayrami was on target twice in the 2nd and 66th minutes and Meysam Ferdowsi scored in the 33rd minute for the host.
Tractor Sazi midfielder Masoud Shojaei found the back of the net in the 23rd minute.
Sepidrood player Javad Aghaeipour was shown a red card in the injury time.
Padideh also beat Naft Masjed Soleyman 3-0 in Mashhad courtesy of three goals from Masoud Rigi (19th minute) and Amin Ghaseminejad (28th and 60th).
Sanat Naft also edged past Pars Jonoubi thanks to Milad Jahani’s 42nd minute goal.
On Saturday, Persepolis will face Saipa at the Azadi Stadium and Paykan host Zob Ahan.
Persepolis is the IPL leader with 51 points and one game in hands.
Tractor Sazi remains in the second place with 49 points, followed by Esteghlal and Sepahan both with 47 points.
