Persepolis thrashes Malavan at home

IRNA - Persepolis came from one goal down to trounce the home team Malavan 3-1 in the 26th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Takhti Stadium in Bandar Anzali, northern Gilan Province, Friday.

Malavan had a dream start as Mohammad Gholamin took the lead from penalty spot after five minutes.

But Persepolis defender Shays Rezaei, who conceded the penalty, leveled the match on 16 minutes with a powerful drive from close range.

The visitor made it 2-1 through the advancing defender Ali Ansarian, who headed home a trademark long throw from striker Ali Alizadeh one minute later.

Alizadeh celebrated the third in the 21st minute, poking home a Mehrzad Ma'danchi cross.

Some 15,000 fans watched the match in a cold day.

Fereydoun Esfahanian refereed the match.

Persepolis is in the eighth place with 35 points and one match in hand and Malavan in the 12th spot on 29.
 

Fazli double helps south Esteqlal past Fajr

Top marksman Fereydoun Fazli hit two to inspire Esteqlal of southern city of Ahvaz into a 2-1 home victory over Fajr-e Sepassi in the 26th week of the fifth Iran Pro League in Takhti Stadium in Shoushtar Friday.

The striker grabbed his opener in the 56th minute and celebrated the second one minute later.

Mojtaba Zare' scored the visitor's consolation goal in the 62nd minute.

More than 3,500 fans were in the stadium.

Assisted by linesmen Reza Sokhandan and Mohsen Narimani, referee Mohsen Torki judged the game.

Fajr occupies the 10th place with 33 points and Esteqlal lies in the 11th spot on 30 points.


Holder Foulad beats Barq

Iran Pro League holder Foulad overcame the home side Barq 1-0 in the 26th week in Hafezieh Stadium in Shiraz, capital of southern Fars Province, Friday.

Asghar Rameshgar scored the sole goal of the match in the 31st minute of the action-filled game.

Barq came close to the equalizer after 63 minutes when referee Iraj Nazari showed the penalty spot.

But the home team missed the chance as Mehdi Shiri's spot-kick did not find the woodwork.

About 3,000 spectators watched the match.

The victory put Foulad in the sixth place with 37 points and one match in hand and Barq stands 13th on 27 points.

Teymourian upsets eight-man Saipa

Abu Moslem's Andranik Teymourian scored the winner in the 26th week match of the fifth Iran Pro League against visitor Saipa in Thamen ul-A'emmeh Stadium in the northeastern capital Mashhad Friday.

The midfielder dashed Saipa's title hopes as he gave the black-shirted Abu Moslem a 1-0 victory, scoring on 17 minutes.

Referee Khodadad Afsharian red-carded Abu Moslem player Morteza Bargizar one minute from halftime and sent off Kazem Borjlou, Javad Ashtiani, and Mohsen Arzani from Saipa in the 47th, 84th, and 91st minutes respectively.

Saipa head coach Bijan Zolfaqar-Nassab due to strong protest also received his marching orders in stoppage time.

Saipa in defiance of defeat retains the third place with 45 points and Abu Moslem is seventh on 36.

Relegation-zone Shamoushak holds title hopeful Esteqlal

Relegation-threatened Shamoushak fought to a 1-1 draw against high-flight Esteqlal in the 26th week of the fifth Iran Pro League here Friday.

The northerners silenced more than 30,000 home fans in Azadi Stadium after two minutes through Esmaeil Gharavi, who outjumped his marker in the area to head home.

Esteqlal, however, had striker Gholam-Reza Enayati to thank for heading home a cross from midfielder Farzad Majidi in the 19th minute.

Both sides squandered a host of scoring chances during the game.

Pas could revel in the draw with a win over Zob Ahan in Naqsh-e Jahan Stadium in the central capital Isfahan in Saturday's clash.

Esteqlal takes the top spot with 49 points provisionally and Shamoushak is in the 15th place with 20 points.

Under Turkish manger Mustafa Denizli, Pas has 48 points and could retake the top place.
 

Daei gives Saba win over bottom-placed Qandi

National skipper Ali Daei found the net after the restart to help the home team Saba Battery snatch a 1-0 win over relegation-zone Shahid Qandi in Shahid Derakhshan Stadium, west of the capital, Friday.

The veteran striker upset his former manager Majid Jalali as he grabbed the winner after 70 minutes of the 26th week game of the fifth Iran Pro League.

Saba is fourth with 42 points and Qandi sticks to rock bottom, 16th place, with meager 19 points.