Print

Tehran Times - Esteghlal football team earned a late win over Paykan in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, while Persepolis lost to Zob Ahan in the penultimate game of Iran Professional League (IPL) season on Sunday.

Esteghlal edged past Paykan 3-2 thanks to Omid Ebrahimi’s late goal.

Arman Ghasemi put the visiting team ahead in the 13th minute but Mame Baba Thiam equalized the match with a header in the 49th minute.

Vouria Ghaffouri made scoreboard 2-1 five minutes later but Faraz Emamali canceled out his goal just after hour mark.

Ebrahimi scored the winner in the 90th minute to keep Esteghlal’s hopes alive to finish in second place.

Persepolis, who won the IPL title with three weeks remaining, suffered a 2-1 away defeat to Zob Ahan in Isfahan’s Fooladshahr Stadium.

Ali Alipour was on target in the 48th minute but Milad Fakhreddini equalized the match in the 70th minute.

With three minutes remaining, Zob Ahan Brazilian striker Stanley Kiros headed the ball into back of the net.

Elsewhere, Saipa were held to a goalless draw by Gostaresh Foolad, Esteghlal Khuzestan defeated Sepahan 3-2, Tractor Sazi drew 1-1 with Sanat Naft, Padideh beat Siahjamegan 2-1 in Mashhad derby, Sepidrood Rasht played out a goalless draw against Foolad and Naft Tehran lost to Pars Jonoubi 3-0 and were relegated to first tier.

Persepolis sit on top of the table with 61 points, followed by Zob Ahan and Esteghlal with 52 and 51 points respectively.