Persepolis perfect; Esteqlal edgy

MNA – Pacesetter Persepolis retained the top spot with a 3-0 away win over Abu Moslem and its archrival Esteqlal managed to hold the visiting Mes to a 1-1 draw Friday.

Midfielder Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht converted a penalty kick three minutes after the kickoff to put Persepolis ahead in the Thamen ul-A’emmeh Stadium in the northeastern capital city of Mashhad Wednesday.

New signing Mohsen Khalili made it 2-0 nine minutes into the second half and doubled his own scoring two minutes into injury time.

The victory helped the Reds remain on top in the 18-strong table of the 7th Iran Pro League on perfect nine points out of three games and goal difference.

Sepahan sticks to its heels with nine points after it overcame home side Paykan 2-1 in Tehran earlier in the day.

In another Wednesday’s match, Barq beat Moqavemat-e Sepassi 1-0 in Hafezieh Stadium in southern city of Shiraz.

Esteqlal of the capital labored a 1-1 tie against Kerman’s Mes before over 45,000 fans in the Azadi Stadium Friday.

Against the run of play, Mes celebrated the opener in a swift counterattack in the 53rd minute through Paolo Zaldon who beat the marker and keeper Vahid Taleblu with a low drive.

Esteqlal’s Meysam Maniei who saw his spot-kick be blocked by Mehdi Rahmati on 36 minutes was denied by the crossbar in the 62nd minute.

The Blues, however, restored the parity nine minutes from time through substitute Hamid Shafiei whose kick found the net.

Referee Navid Mozaffari sent off one player from each side in the last moments of the match.

In other Friday’s clashes, holder SAIPA came from behind to edge past Pas 3-1, Rah Ahan lost to Saba Battery 1-0, Shiri Faraz tamed Zob Ahan 1-0, promoted San’at Naft defeated Pegah 1-0, and Esteqlal of Ahvaz and Malavan fought to goalless tie.