Pirouzi eyes title as Abu Moslem holds Esteqlal

Tehran, May 20, IRNA -- The red-clad Pirouzi's hope was raised Sunday by a victory over relegation-bound Esteqlal of Rasht and Abu Moslem's leveling with leader Esteqlal of Tehran. 
Table-topper Esteqlal was held by giant-killer Abu Moslem in the 24th week of Iran Pro League in Mashhad, Khorasan province. 
Playing in front of over 20 thousand passionate fans packed the Takhti Stadium, the two sides clashed to a 1-1 draw. 
Home spectators went wild with applause in the 21st minute when Iman Razzaqi-Rad netted, putting Abu Moslem ahead. 
Esteqlal striker Faraz Fatemi's bicycle kick equalized the match in the 78th minute, helping his side bag one point out of home. 
Motivated by Abu Moslem-Esteqlal result, archrival Pirouzi scored twice to defeat bottom-placed Esteqlal of Rasht 2-1 on the Azadi Stadium pitch. 
The reds' midfielder Mohammad Barzegar scored the opener in the 50th minute and sent a goalmouth pass to sliding striker Sohrab Entezari 22 minutes later, who made it 2-0. Four minutes from the time, Youness Bahonar's handball presented 
a penalty to Esteqlal whose Saeid Bayat converted and the match ended 2-1. 
Esteqlal of Tehran leads the table with 45 points followed by Pirouzi, winning 43 points. In other matches played Sunday, Paykan and Pas fought to a goalless draw and the two Isfahani sides, Sepahan and Zob Ahan, 
clashed at home and Sepahan won 2-0. 
Malavan tied with Barq 1-1 and Foulad beat Saipa 1-nil while 
Fajr-e Sepassi and Tractor Sazi shared the points after a 1-1 tie