Southern blues fight back to beat Abu Moslem

IRNA - The blue-clad Esteqlal of the southern capital Ahvaz came from one goal down to seal a 2-1 home win over Abu Moslem in their rescheduled fifth-week match of the sixth Iran Pro League Sunday night.

The visitor possessed the ball and field in the first half, taking the lead from the penalty spot on 19 minutes.

Esteqlal fullback Reza Jalali-Sabet brought down Reza Nassehi, prompting referee Massoud Moradi to show the spot. Saeid Khani converted the spot-kick.

Once Abu Moslem manager Firouz Karimi, however, steered the blues toward a badly needed victory.

Striker Fereydoun Fazli carried the ball on the right flank five minutes into the second half before his perfect cross was headed home by former national defender Ali Badavi.

Supported by more than 7,000 aficionados in Takhti Stadium, Esteqlal heaped pressure on the Mashhad-based visitor's woodwork until it scored the winner through Mojtaba Shiri who found the net in a melee in the 68th minute.

The win helped Esteqlal move to the third place with 12 points out of six matches.

Abu Moslem is sixth on 10 points.