Persepolis, Saba tie; Rah Ahan breezes past south Esteqlal

IRNA - Persepolis and Saba Battery fought to a 2-2 draw but promoted Rah Ahan saw off Esteqlal of southern city Ahvaz 3-1 in the ninth week of the fifth Iran Pro League here Thursday.

Ali Alizadeh long throw finally yielded good result for Persepolis as the advancing defender Ali Ansarian rose in the 20th minute to head home the throw, celebrating the reds' opener in Azadi Stadium.

Saba leveled the match in the last minute before halftime as national skipper Ali Daei's header found fullback Sohrab
Bakhtiarizadeh, who rifled home from close range.

Daei put the visitor ahead four minutes after the interval, clearing his marker in the box before side-footing the ball past Persepolis keeper Farshid Karimi.

The reds, however, grabbed the equalizer on 63 minutes. Midfielder Javad Kazemian curled a set piece, which was sent in by Alizadeh near the far post.

Persepolis is in the 10th place with 10 points and one match in hand and Saba Battery lies in the 12th spot on 10 points out of nine games.

In Ekbatan Stadium, Rah Ahan hit one in the first half and two after the break to beat Esteqlal 3-1.

Amin Torkashvand clutched on to a through ball from Mehdi Tartar in the 43rd minute, racing to the penalty area and steering the ball past helpless goalie Nader Ghobeyshavi.

The home team doubled the scoring in the 63rd minute when Hadi Asghari poked home from close range a Hassan Sarvari pass.

Esteqlal pulled one back on 75 minutes from penalty spot. Amir Khalifeh-Asl's drive took a deflection from Rah Ahan defender's hand and Fereydoun Fazli converted the spot-kick.

But it was a consolation goal as Sarvari's powerful shot kissed the net in the 90th minute.

Esteqlal of Ahvaz occupies the sixth slot with 13 points while the victory took Rah Ahan points to 12, giving it the ninth place.

The six other matches are held Saturday afternoon.