Pirouzi go top in Iran

AFC - Pirouzi overtook Tehran rivals Esteghlal for top spot in the Iranian League standings on Thursday with a 4-2 victory over Saipa in the penultimate game of the season.

Having snapped a five-match winless run with victory over strugglers Esteghlal Rasht on Sunday, Pirouzi earned their second victory in a row with a pair of late goals.

The Tehran giants had appeared to be coasting to an easy win in the first half with Ali Ansarian scoring from the penalty spot on the half hour mark and Amir Hossain Aslanian adding a second three minutes later.

However, lowly Saipa showed plenty of determination as they fought back with goals by Javad Kazemian and Mohammad Soltani in the closing minutes of the half to draw level.

Knowing that they needed a victory to continue their pursuit of Esteghlal for the league title, Pirouzi chased the game in the second half and regained the lead 15 minutes from time as Ansarian scored his second of the game. Aslanian also added his second five minutes later to seal the victory.

While Pirouzi moved a point ahead of Esteghlal in the standings, the defending champions still have a chance to regain their league lead with a victory over Peykan on Friday.