Zob Ahan Celebrates IPL Midseason Title Despite Defeat

Mehr News – Zob Ahan stood top in the table of the third Iran Pro League on 25 points in the midseason although it lost in the 13th week in Mashhad, capital of northeastern Khorassan Province, on Friday. 
The Isfahani side was handed a 1-0 loss by the home side Abu Moslem whose points soared to 16 points out of 12 games.

Shamoushak of Noshahr did not field its players against Abu Moslem in Takhti Stadium of Mashhad in the 11th week as a gesture of opposition to the Football Federation's decision on picking Ali Khosravi as the referee. The federation has yet to announce its decision.

In other matches on Friday, Isfahan’s Sepahan saw off the Shirazi side Barq 2-0, visitor SAIPA and Fajr-e Sepassi of Shiraz struggled to a 1-1 draw, Esteqlal of Tehran won the postponed match against the host Pegah of northern Gilan Province 1-0, and the red-clad Persepolis beat Foulad of Khuzestan 1-0 in the 100,000-seater Azadi Stadium, west of Tehran.

Persepolis moved up one place, standing fourth on 23 points.

Pegah and Esteqlal of Tehran were to play in Azodi Stadium of Rasht on Thursday but their match was postponed due to bad climatic and pitch conditions and rescheduled for Friday.

On Thursday, Pas and Paykan emerged victorious.

Visitor Pas lied in second provisionally as it won the 13th-week match of the third Iran Pro League against the struggling Esteqlal of Ahvaz 3-2 in Takhti Stadium.

Abbas Aqaei took an early lead for Pas when he slotted home in the first minute and Arash Borhani grabbed the second two minutes into the additional time, sending the southern blues to the locker room with a 2-0 defeat.

Former national striker Khodadad Azizi widened the gap, curling a free-kick past home side's keeper Nader Ghobeishavi two minutes after the restart.

Not to be outdone in front of home fans, Esteqlal pulled one back on 69 minutes when Amir Khalifeh-Asl netted and Davoud Haqi minimized the gap, scoring seven minutes later.

The blues played the last seven minutes with 10 men as Reza Jalali-Sabet received his marching orders as referee Jalal Moradi booked him for the second time.

Winning 24 points, Pas has occupied the third spot, tucking at the heels of Esteqlal of Tehran. 

Paykan overcame the promoted Shamoushak of Noshahr 2-0 in Iran Khodro Stadium, western Tehran.

Mahdi Tajik opened the scoring for Paykan in the second minute and Esmaeil Halali made it 2-0 on 25 minutes.