Persepolis helps Pas past pacesetter Esteqlal

MNA – Pas took the top spot as Persepolis fought to a goalless draw against title hopeful Esteqlal in their 60th derby here Friday.
The stalemate in a nearly packed 100,000-seater Azadi Stadium helped Pas topple Esteqlal on goal difference in the 25th week of the fifth Iran Pro League.

Under new Dutch manager Arie Haan, Persepolis unexpectedly played some smooth football in the first 30 minutes.

The Reds came close to opener after 16 minutes when Esteqlal keeper Vahid Taleblu fluffed the ball following a midfielder Mehrzad Ma’danchi cross, allowing it to fall to striker Javad Kazemian, who spotted Pejman Nuri in the area, but the midfielder surprisingly did not find the unguarded net.

Esteqlal responded two minutes later through playmaker Mojtaba Jabbari, whose powerful drive from behind the box forced a save from keeper Farshid Karimi.

Persepolis had Karimi to thank for denying striker Sivash Akbarpur in a man-to-man challenge on 25 minutes.

Kuwaiti referee Saad Kamil was the target of the Blues one minute from halftime as they believed Persepolis defender Mohammadreza Mamani had brought down Asghar Talebnassab in the area.

Hushang Nassirzadeh, a refereeing expert, talking to the state TV Channel 3 during the break confirmed Kamil’s decision, ruling out a penalty award.

Esteqlal possessed the ball and field in the second half, but it failed to find the finishing touch.

Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht playing on the left flank missed a scoring chance from close range in the 64th minute.

Kazemian, who had an under-par performance, also squandered an opportunity. In a swift counterattack, the fast-paced forward had much time and space to put Persepolis ahead, but he was easily dispossessed of the ball by Taleblu.

Top scorer Gholamreza Enayati left Esteqlal fans ruing the loss of another opportunity, nodding out a well-flighted cross from substitute Alireza Mansurian on 81 minutes.

Out-of-sort Akbarpur well fed by Jabbari behind the 5.5-yard box had a miskick to extend the drought.

And Kazemian again raced to the right in stoppage time to test Taleblu with a 25-yard drive.

The draw augured well for Pas that beat promoted Rah Ahan 3-1 Thursday, leaving it on top with 48 points.