Tehran Times - Iran Professional League (IPL) leader Persepolis were unable to secure a win against struggling Naft Tehran here on Friday.

The match was held behind closed doors due to Persepolis’s supporters actions during a 2-0 win over Tractor Sazi last week.

Persepolis created several scoring chances but failed to find the back of the net.

“I had already said it would be one of our difficult matches. I am happy with the way we played but failed to score,” Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic said.

Earlier in the day, Esteghlal drew 0-0 with Tractor Sazi in Tabriz’s Yadegar Emam Stadium.

Tractor Sazi ended Esteghlal’s three-match winning streak.

Esteghlal goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini became the first goalkeeper in Iran Professional League history to not concede a goal in the first 787 minutes of play.

Hosseini broke the previous mark set by Persepolis keeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Hosseini surpassed Beiranvand’s old mark of 719 set in late December.

Furthermore, Padideh edged past Sanat Naft 1-0, Zob Ahan defeated Paykan 2-1, Sepidrood suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Gostaresh Foolad, and Saipa beat Esteghlal Khuzestan 3-2.

Persepolis lead the table with 41 points, nine points ahead of Foolad who were held to a 1-1 draw by Siahjamegan on Thursday.

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