It was a disappointing result for coach Mansour Ebrahimzadeh ahead of their ACL quarter-finals against Korea Republic’s Pohang Steelers. They will host the defending Asian champions in the first leg on September 15 before travelling to Pohang for the return leg a week later.
Seyed Mohammad Hosseini Farimani gave Zob Ahan a 10th-minute lead but goals from Farhad Khamis (40) and Rasoul Navidkia (68) sealed the fate of Zob Ahan.
Tehran’s popular club Persepolis, however, climbed to the top of the table with a 2-1 victory over Shahin. Gholamreza Rezaei and Maziar Zare were on the mark for them while Mehdi Noori pulled one back for Shahin.
Persepolis are on 15 points after six games, two more than second-placed Zob Ahan.
In other matches, former ACL side Esteghlal were held goalless by Naft Tehran, Teraktor beat Malavan 2-0, Saipa lost to Rah Ahan 1-0, Saba Battery played a 4-4 draw with Shahrdari, Mes sidelined Foolad 1-0, Peykan downed Steel Azin 3-1 and Sepahan overcame Pas 2-1.