Tehran Times - Tractor Sazi football team were held to a goalless draw by Saipa in the 23rd week of Iran Professional League at Tabriz’s Yadegar Emam Stadium on Friday.
Saipa goalkeeper Hamed Lak was man of the match as he saved numerous chances. Lak has now kept six clean sheets in the last eight games for Saipa.
The draw will be another blow for Amir Ghalenoei’s team who are Persepolis’ main title rivals this season.
With just seven games until the end of the season for Tabriz based side, they are now five points behind league leaders Persepolis and five points ahead of Esteghlal.
Elsewhere in Mashhad, Padideh beat Gostaresh Foolad 3-2. Reza Nasehi, Mohsen Yousefi and Akbar Imani scored for Padideh while Luciano Pereira Mendes and Dariush Shojaeian scored for Gostaresh.
In Abadan, Sanat Naft edged past Paykan 1-0 thanks to a 65th minute goal by Hakim Nesari. In the other game Saba and Foolad Khuzestan played out a goalless draw.
This week’s games will be as follow:
Saturday
Esteghlal Khuzestan vs. Machine Sazi
Esteghlal vs. Siah Jamegan
Sunday
Sepahan vs. Zob Ahan
Naft Tehran vs. Persepolis